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Just trying to decide between a SID World Cup and one of these on a new bike... I don't have the opportunity to test ride the bike so interested in real-world feedback.
Only seem to be ridden by pro's who are paid to ride them! I'd go for SIDs.
The ones I've had a play with are ace, however I can't justify having a set on my XC bike due the the price compared to the set of Revelation RCT3s I currently have on there which are fantastic
Was contemplating one a while ago, but the problem isn't just the lack of compatibility with any other wheels (I've had Maverick forks in the past, happy to build a new wheel if needed), but the faintly ridiculous price!
Nobody in the trade was even buying them cos they were stupidly expensive. I see Merlin Cycles is now selling them for 1/2 price, and they're still not shifting many!
As an XC/Trail fork, you'd have to go a long way to beat a lot of the current crop of forks on the market with RRP's less than half that of the RS1. The RS1 may be better, but I don't think anybody is going to say it's that much better it justifies its price tag. If it was £800 or £900 RRP when a Rev RCT3 is £600 RRP, I could see them selling a few, but £1400 for an XC/trail fork!
The bike I'm thinking of buying has a choice of either a SID WC or the RS-1 so I'm looking at the performance aspect. I understand the axle compatibility issue... the 50% discount at Merlin is just crazy.
Having ridden one, I really am tempted, but it would have to be a bloody good deal for me to consider it, although if in 6 months when I'm building the bike they still are £23 cheaper than a SID XX World Cup (On Merlin) I probably would think about it. There is still the problem that they are 200g heavier and require a special hub though.
EDIT: just seen the Merlin RS-1 is 120mm only 🙁
EDIT 2: it also ties you into a heavier hub so it's effectively a 250g gain over a SID WC
I find the weight thing a bit bizarre in an xc fork, if it was lighter than a SID I'm sure they would be much more popular, even with the reports of flex issues. I wonder if they will try to reduce weight or if they've got that design as light as they can? For the average xc rider (non-sponsored), a lighter cheaper fork is a no-brainer surely.
LoCo, what are they like to work on compared to the SID?
This review isn't exactly glowing for the RS-1
[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/components/forks-suspension/product/review-rockshox-rs-1-49331/ ]BikeRadar RS-1 review[/url]
Although, for balance, Dave@STW loved his one.
As I mentioned, the cost is 'absorbed' into the cost of the bike so I'm just after real-world feedback on how it rides. The few that have tested it seem to look upon it favourably.
Not any harder to work on than Sids really, performance wise, damping has more control than Sids, will probably want to adjust air volume with the air tokens to get them perfect, will probably end up with set at some when I have a moment of weakness 😉
There is nothing about the RS-1 that is tempting compared to a SID for me, although I am yet to ride one.
Left field suggestions would to get a SID and install a Shift Up Light cartridge for the *best* option. I wasn't all that taken by the damping on the SID although if you are fast enough I guess you haven't got time for such trivial concerns 😆 It isn't a super cheap way of going about things but the Shift Up kit is a real revelation in terms of performance and damping, for me at least. -75g too on my RCT3 too if that matters 😉
price keeps falling
Rock Shox RS1 - Solo Air 100 29" Predictive Steering LTD Edition Gloss Black/Retro Pink, Fast Black Accelerator XLoc Remote Right Carbon Str Tapered Disc (includes digital pump & 120mm Travel air shaft) MY15
http://www.merlincycles.com/rock-shox-rs1-solo-air-29-limited-edition-fork-85872.html
Digging up an old post here but can anyone explain exactly why a normal 15mm thro hub won't fit the RS-1?
Googled around and can't find a straight explanation; only that it must have the predictive steer hub etc etc...
https://www.sram.com/rockshox/technologies/predictive-steering
Seems to be the way the hub interfaces with the fork.
The hub needs to be a stiffer design as it's the only part that connects the moving legs.
On standard forks that load is split between the axel/hub and the bridge of the lowers.
Bream... I eventually went for as RS1 on my S Works Epic. It's a fantastic fork. I have a SID on my hardtail and this is way, way better.
As Neilwheel says, there is not enough strength in the forks themselves so they have to have a much beefier hub. In real terms it limits you to wheels with the 'Predictive Steering' hub.
I bought my bike to do marathons and lightweight XC stuff but it's regularly used on tough stuff in the Peak District.
After reading the reviews – well the Bikeradar one – I was really worried as I bought the bike from Denmark. I don't relate my experiences with the review.
Aha, penny has dropped and I now understand, thanks for the replies.