The Ultimate XC Fork - Rockshox SID SL Ultimate with Specialized Brain - Feature Review and Weight

[@Whitehawkvisionfilms]

“Unboxing” videos usually make me want so many minutes of my life back but this one was actually very informative.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Haha glad you liked it... I think??

[@Whitehawkvisionfilms]

@@Jamesthebikeguy Great job. Good info!

[@TheFullKanani]

Amazing technology. Perfect to pair with a high end carbon hard tail frame.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

agreed.

[@tokeco]

Nice video... I was hoping to find some explanation on the Negative Air Pressure adjustment. The manual talks about Air + and Air -, but I can't seem to find where to adjust the pressure of the Air -? any clues would be appreciated.

[@pe3117]

Negative air is on the old model 🤣🤦‍♂️

[@jimc5696]

Hey James - given the complexity of the brain dampener etc - where would you have this fork serviced - ideally someone that knows this unique brain fork. ?? Thanks!

[@awesomexistence]

Crown to fork (aluminum to aluminum). The aluminum to carbon of the past led to galvanic corrosion and pinhole air leaks (stanchion through the stearer tube. I think somewhere there is a replacement top cap to seal and remedy this problem.

[@DaveofSTP]

Thanks for the detailed video! I bought this fork recently and I was wondering if you know how many positions or clicks the Brain Fade compression damper should have. In your video it looks like there’s about 5 with a definite stop point whether it’s full firm or full soft. Mine however will turn completely around until the blue knob hits the fork crown. It has 8 different positions. Wondering if mine need service...

[@robertvega1551]

Few errors, first the fork with brain has been a long time already since 2009 and the brain forks have had the free travel since 2019 the only thing is that they now move it to 25mm instead 15mm for 2021. But good job, any ride review?

[@andypaul999]

I think specialized and everybody else for that matter would like to forget that 2009 futureshock fork. It was awful😂

[@robertvega1551]

@@andypaul999 I had a 2010 s works and honestly it wasn't that bad because how different it was to other forks, but comparing it with more modern brain forks it was a piece of shit. So harsh when it open

[@dpugh39]

Do all rockshox forks come with the star bolt for stem cap? Thanks

[@joshusanders3127]

Hi i wondered if you new how much maintance is involved with sid sl ultimate and if the brain is much better than no brain

[@carlosgomezzzzzzz]

Is this available for the public or its only available when buying a Specialized bike?

[@nathankeske5697]

No it’s for public I just got one

[@jimc5696]

One thing that is ‘interesting’ with this new brain fork (I own the one being reviewed in the video) is that it is always active for 25-30mm (at least). There is no option to completely lock out. The non brain version of this fork - has the ability to be locked out and it is like a rigid fork in that setting. Not moving 1 mm. So in 2021, the brain fork is ‘less’ firm when riding in the firmest position (for road, gravel, long climbs, etc) then the non brain version. Strange but true. If you stand up to sprint, you can definitely feel it active. I’m only a few rides in - so still determining what is better overall in most cases (brain or no brain).

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

That is the "position sensetive brain" that is new for 2021, only active 15mm but allows the fork to take the small hits w/o losing efficiency. I have a full video on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ_EZYGDoJZpnKc

[@jimc5696]

Jamesthebikeguy yes - my comment is in the comments section of that video. I would submit that it is always active more than 15mm - more like 25-30mm. In the firmware setting - when I stand up and sprint on flat pavement - it moves at least 25-30mm. My understanding of customers don’t like the brain feature - they can easily replace with the race day damper. Also note - the one specialized fork has a 42mm offset. Not the more common 44

[@awesomexistence]

@@jimc5696, perhaps a faster roll due to less “kickback” on the smaller stuff. Think of the move in road/gravel bikes wider more volume tires (primary suspension) to reduce kickback on rough pave’/gravel giving a faster roll. The primary movement might be adjusted by your air pressure/sag setting?

[@jimc5696]

@@awesomexistence hey Alan - I agree. While at first I was a little concerned that the Brain version of this SID could not completely lock out ...after a few months of riding it .. it works really well with just that 25mm of free travel if you are riding gravel etc.

[@awesomexistence]

Works well on my Specialized Roubaix also. Would be nice if I could update my 2012 Rockshox Solo Air Brain to this new spec.

[@nathankeske5697]

Do you have any tips from the factory it’s stuck

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

What is stuck?

[@nathankeske5697]

Never made I found out the psi was just to high

[@EduDDagostim]

Has Anybody notice a 75mm max travel on it? I Have the 2021 model and when I remove all the air still can not go over 75mm of travel.

[@ethandowling3826]

Hi Eduardo, I am suffering from this reduced travel as well, did you manage to get a solution?

[@raffaeleieva7252]

I just had my brain replaced on a sid from an epic 2020 that was traveling only 60%. It has been a nightmare! The new brain works well, but for how long?

[@raffaeleieva7252]

@@ethandowling3826 the solution is to replace the brain with a new one from Specialized. I had the same problem, solved under warranty with a new brain. However when I will have again the same issue i am going to replace the brain with a race day damper.

[@EduDDagostim]

@@ethandowling3826 Sent to Specialized. They did maintenance. Now It is working properly for 4 months.

[@bigbo1764]

I really don’t understand why you’d want this over a remote lockout.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Because this automatically does whatever is fastest. Smooth it's locked, rough it's open. Never missing a beat or requiring input

[@bigbo1764]

@@Jamesthebikeguy yea, but you are sacrificing a bit of suppleness or efficiency depending on your compression setting; while using a lockout let’s you dictate when it’s an ideal time to lockout the fork and shock. This is important over long races as well, as you probably are going to prefer that your suspension be more open as you get more exhausted and sloppier. And as a sleight weight weeny, I don’t see the extra weight being worth the hands free quality of the Brain. When I used the Brian for some races while my bike was out of commission, I found it fun to ride, but it just wasn’t doing it for me on my 20-60 mile long races.

[@joejohnston471]

@@bigbo1764 I've had the last 3 versions of the brain and currently a Fox with a manual lock. The difference I see is that my Brain is not as fast as the Specilized Brain. With the Brain fork the 1-3 pedal stroke accelerations are more efficient since most time I won't manually lock out a fork for those. The trade off is that the Brain isn't as efficient at other times so the rider has to decide which is more important. FWIW I'm in the process of going back to a Brain on my new Epic build. Ditching the rats nest of cables is going to make my OCD brain really happy :)

[@foxhound143]

How much is the fork?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Check with your local bike shop

[@panharith6886]

@David Jankulovski nope. I only get one in my local bike shop. Non brain 840$

[@ianthornblade5944]

How much does it cost? I know you replied to another comment saying talk to your bike shop, but can you give me a close estimate

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

No, I bet you have access to a internet search engine or a phone. Prices vary by local, country, and availability. That's why I don't quote prices

[@adriant.7457]

Lol, I guess you could've just told the guy, with the disclaimer that prices may vary...

[@AaronBrand]

I'm not gonna subscribe before I've watched the video. Just FYI.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Just FYI that's fine. Most people watch several videos before subscribing so it's a good idea to remind people