I have sent this email to SRAM/Rockshox. However, how would the community answer this question? I'm an engineer, and I see user "mtnbiketech" (or similar) has given some proper technical answers in other posts!
>>>
1) Your product pages list "110, 120mm" travels for various SID shocks. I want a 110mm travel variant, but there are not separate part numbers listed for the different travels. How do I specify the 110mm directly?
2) I'm not a racer in any way. But I like performance, and do take care of equipment, but don't want to have to be rebuilding a fork all the time either. For long-term ownership, durability, rigidity, and strong performance with reasonable maintenance, would I be better off with a 35mm SID Select, or 35mm SID Ultimate? (e.g. Charger RL vs Charger Race Day 2, and any other differences). I'm okay paying the little extra, but NOT if I'm getting something that's actually more fragile / finicky / has a shorter life etc. because it's optimized for racing.
https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/models/fs-sid-sel3-d1#product-detail-gallery-zoom
https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/models/fs-sid-ult3-d1
by bahnstoermer
4 Comments
It doesn’t have a different part number because it’s compatible with 100, 110 and 120mm air springs. When you buy it, specify which you want to your dealer. They will have different sku’s specific to the distributor. Air springs are also easy to change if you later decide you want more or less travel (within that range). If you’re looking for reliability, don’t get the raceday damper. You’ll be bleeding it all the time.
If you’re not racing I’d probably skip the sid or any step cast fox forks and just get the pike.
Chassis and the air spring are the same between ultimate and select.
Travel is controlled by the air spring, the damper and chassis are common.
The Ultimate damper is more composed and lighter. It’s no less reliable and doesn’t have any major known issues. The select damper isn’t great tbh so id definitely go Ultimate.
I’d also heavily consider a 34 or 36SL.
The difference between the Select and the Ultimate is materials and I think the Select has a different damper. The Select is heavier, but otherwise they’re both using the same chassis and air spring. Specifically the difference between the Ult and Sel for weight comes down to the lower legs being made differently. They are equally durable.