RockShox Reverb AXS Dropper Seatpost [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

The RockShox wireless ecosystem has changed the mountain bike industry for the better. Less cables, easy installation, and perfect actuation every time, the RockShox Reverb is as good as it gets when it comes to dropper seatposts. In this review, our customer Spenser picks up a new AXS dropper post for his Santa Cruz. Check it out!

Overview

Few things are more exciting in the mountain bike realm than Bluetooth components. People have been drooling over electronic drivetrains and shifters for a few years now, but how cool is a wireless dropper post?! I was so excited when the Reverb AXS dropper post was released that I immediately started selling old components (lots of them) to scrounge up enough dough to try one out. When it was time to order, I came back to trusty WWC to spend my money. The site said they were out of stock on the 170mm option, so I emailed asking for a lead time. I got an answer back in about 10 minutes and ordered up.

Installation

I could not wait to get this thing in and install it on my Megatower. Honestly, removing the hydraulic Reverb was harder and took longer than installing the AXS post. Rockshox really hit the "ease-of-use" on the head here. The physical bolt-up was a no-brainer with one bolt to touch on the handlebars (if using SRAM MMX) and one bolt on the seat post clamp. The seat rail interface is something of beauty as well. No fumbling around with loose clamping parts, loosening and tightening the two clamp bolts to get the right angle, etc. There is a star bolt that loosens both of the rail clamps from either side and once the seat is in and those star bolts are snug you can adjust seat angle with one simple star bolt on the front of the post head. SO SIMPLE. Why have companies not been doing this for years? After that, you simply pair the controller with the post by pushing the AXS button on each until the post blinks and you're off. There is an option to set up the post on the AXS app, but after doing so I don't find it very necessary other than checking the battery charge level.

Ride Review

Smooth, accurate, and simple. What else could you ask for from a dropper? The big performance advantage with the AXS Reverb is how easy it is to stop the dropper post anywhere in it's up-travel without being seated. I use this all the time when on a trail that has some techy climbs in the middle of some steep sections. Having the seat about half-way up is a nice middle ground in case needed on the climbs, and there is no guesswork - just a shorter push on the controller button. I find the controller pretty ergonomic and it seems easier to use and more comfortable than the standard Reverb Stealth lever. It definitely requires less hand/thumb movement.

As for reliability, I've had this thing in some SLOP and it did not miss a beat! I've also sprayed it down with cleaner and high-pressure water and never had any issues.

Final Thoughts

There are so many positives to the AXS post, but no one can ignore the price. It's expensive, no doubt. The only other negative that I might mention would be the size of the post head. From an aesthetic point of view, it's a little large and looks somewhat odd and bulky in comparison to a regular post. The battery has gotten some scratches and the plastic is dulling a little, which I think is a factor of it sticking out in the open somewhat and getting sprayed with whatever comes off your rear tire! Think about how much dirt ends up under your seat on a muddy ride - the battery is seeing all of that. On another positive note, though, I've got about 20 rides with it on some pretty varying terrain and have yet to hit the yellow battery warning. I personally find it a great option if you are looking for a new dropper, and the benefits and ease-of-use make it worth the spend.