Now in its second generation, the RockShox Reverb AXS welcomes a ground-up redesign in a bid to make it simpler, more durable, and longer. With that, it performs commendably, reliably doing its job on command while being easy to service. Its battery life is pretty lengthy too, and that’s all at a more competitive price. Looks are divisive, however, and it’s ever so slightly weightier than others at this price point.
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RockShox Reverb AXS – Technical details
Dropper posts are usually simple things. They raise the saddle and lower it. However, with the Reverb AXS, RockShox hasn’t just made it longer and more durable, but the brand has added fresh technology (for MTB) to the mix. Namely, that’s ActiveRide.
ActiveRide is a neat trick that was first seen on the Reverb AXS XPLR that, when the saddle is dropped slightly, provides a bit of squish and damping. So that means when seated, saddled riding should be more comfortable. RockShox says this should appeal more to e-mountain bikers when tackling more technical climbs.
This technology is only made possible through new air-over-air internals, which do away with any kind of hydraulics. RockShox says that it’s a more durable design, too.
Perhaps the biggest story of the Reverb AXS is that it’s now the longest dropper post on the market at the moment, offering up to 250mm of travel. Although it’s also available in 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, and 225mm of drop. On test, we’ve got the 200mm model. It can be picked up in all of the diameters, too, so that’s 30.9, 31.8, and 34.9mm clamp diameters.
Another key change is the location of the post’s battery. Now, it sits on the collar and faces the front. While it may not do great things for the dropper’s aesthetic, it’s a decision that’s been made more for practical reasons, as with the outgoing Reverb AXS, the battery placement often meant that the rear wheel would contact the battery, freeing the battery from its cradle, and sending it into space. This new design avoids that completely.
As an AXS product, the Reverb AXS can hook up to the SRAM AXS app, where users can assign which POD shifter button actuates the dropper.
As for the weight, my 200mm, 30.9mm clamp post comes in at 711g with the battery installed, which is competitive for a wireless dropper. For example, Magura’s Vyron MDS-V.3 claims to tip the scale at 705g without the battery, and the KS Lev Circuit comes in at 706g. It’s a little weightier, but what’s five or six grams between friends?
RockShox Reverb AXS – Performance
One of the joys of running a wireless dropper post is that installation is a doddle. Pop the post into the bike, hook up the remote by holding down the button on the remote itself, and the dropper until they both flash quickly, and you’re good to go. It’s a five-minute job. As for the insertion depth, it’s on par with the likes of the Wolf Tooth Components Resolve, which isn’t terribly long.
Once installed, I’ve ridden with the post for the best part of four months, week in, week out, and it’s performing exactly how it did when it was fresh out of the box. Despite facing wet and filthy rides, right through to dry stuff, the Reverb AXS has proven to be reliable and mighty dependable. It does exactly what it’s built to do, when you want it to.
The Reverb AXS is smooth in its travel while showing little sign of rattling. It’s easy to drop too with little resistance through the travel. On return, or extension, the post is prompt, and I’ve not had the need to top up the air pressure throughout the test.
It’s pretty responsive too. It’s not quite as lightning fast as Fox’s Transfer Live Valve Neo, but it’s half the price, and in practice, the difference is negligible.
One of the most interesting facets of RockShox’s wireless dropper post is that ActiveRide technology, and it works. For the riding that I do, it’s not a single feature that will persuade me to buy the Reverb AXS over anything else, but having used it a fair bit, it’s certainly nice to have. Just by dropping the saddle a little, the post opens up, providing a little bit of squish that boosts comfort while speeding over uneven but fast terrain. It also takes the sting out of rear wheel hits when navigating technical sections that call for seated pedalling. I’ve not tested ActiveRide on an e-MTB, but I reckon e-bike riders will appreciate it even more so. That said, it’ll bring more comfort to those who like long-distance thrills.
Although the battery’s new location may harm the overall look of the Reverb AXS (though it looks better than the Transfer Neo), it doesn’t bring any downside to how the post performs. It looks like it could get in the way when pedalling, and it can, if I try to make it happen, but when I’m not pulling my knees together for the fun of it, it runs totally under the radar.
Speaking of the battery, its life is impressively lengthy. Throughout my four months of testing, I charged it once. Handily, when it comes time to charge, the little light that shines green when the dropper is actuated shines red. When that has happened, I’ve connected the dropper to my app, which then said it had so many hours of riding left in it. It’s a simple feature, but it’s great to be informed of the battery’s power level without having to connect to the app, and if you’re not plugged into the whole AXS eco system, with the brand’s Flight Attendant tech, there’s not all that much need to use the app. I’m also yet to change the coin battery in the remote.
RockShox Reverb AXS – Verdict
Alright, compared to mechanical dropper posts, £535 is more of an outlay, but the RockShox Reverb AXS brings more than just wireless actuation. It offers the longest travel of any dropper currently on the market, and that ActiveRide tech is pretty cool.
There are wireless droppers that are easier on the wallet, however, like Magura’s Vyron MDS-V3. It retails at £493, but in comparison, the Reverb AXS brings better bang for buck. That’s because the Vyron isn’t rechargeable (instead it uses CR2 batteries), it doesn’t come in as long a length, and of course, it doesn’t get ActiveRide.
KS Lev’s Circuit wireless dropper asks for a bigger spend of £700. It’s available in up to 200mm of travel and gets a rechargeable battery. Then there’s the aforementioned Fox Transfer Live Valve Neo, which will set you back £1,129. It is more responsive, it’s lighter at a claimed 650g (30.9x150mm), and I prefer the remote, but it’s more than double the price.
Shortly after it hit the market, the RockShox Reverb AXS became a go-to for anyone looking for a wirelessly actuated dropper post. Now in its second generation, it valiantly carries that torch. Despite its divisive looks, it’s a strong performer providing excellent battery life, impressive reliability, and easy servicing. With those points being great reasons why you should consider this dropper, ActiveRide comes as a cherry on top as does its bang for buck compared to other wireless options.
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