Rock Shox Reverb AXS Review
The new Rock Shox Reverb AXS tackles the biggest pain points of dropper posts. It is supposed to be almost maintenance-free. In our test, we checked if it really lives up to that claim.
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Hard facts about the new RockShox Reverb AXS
Rock Shox has done its homework and offers the dropper post in every conceivable version of diameter and travel. Notably, there is now even a post with a generous 250 mm of travel, leaving no room for complaints. In terms of weight and the clamp head, they aren’t reinventing the wheel but instead are taking the classic route.
The post operates with the classic AXS batteries, which are also compatible with Rock Shox Flight Attendant suspensions and Sram drivetrains. For the drivetrain, the battery lasts about 40 hours, and for the dropper post, you can expect the runtime to be easily double that.
- Travel options: 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, 175 mm, 200 mm, 225 mm, 250 mm
- Length depending on travel: 337.2 mm, 342.2 mm, 387.2 mm, 392.2 mm, 437.2 mm, 442.2 mm, 487.2 mm, 492.2 mm, 537.2 mm, 542.2 mm, 587.2 mm
- Available diameters: 30.9 mm, 31.6 mm, 34.9 mm
- Clamp at the head: compatible with round (7 mm) and oval (7 × 9 mm & 7 × 10 mm) saddle rails
No oil, fewer problems
A significant advantage of the RockShox Reverb AXS is its greatly reduced maintenance requirement. With the old Reverb, according to RockShox, a service was officially due every 50 operating hours. The folks in the US seemed to have realized that nobody even remotely adhered to this interval. The result was problems. Seatposts that drew air or were worn out were more the rule than the exception.
With the new recommendation for service intervals, it is clear that they are following a completely new strategy. The recommended service intervals have been significantly extended:
- 300-hour service:: Easy maintenance with lubrication.
- 600-hour service:: O-ring and bushing replacement.
Made possible by a new design without an oil cartridge, but with two overlapping air chambers.
- The seatpost contains only 2.6 ml of oil for lubrication.
- With the new air chamber technology, bleeding is no longer necessary.
- You can hang the bike by the saddle in a slammed position without the dropper post getting damaged or losing air.
This makes the new Reverb AXS virtually maintenance-free, setting it apart from many other models.
Noticeable: Minimal lateral play
What stands out when installing the new dropper post is that it has no lateral play whatsoever in its new condition. If you grab the saddle tip with your hand, it cannot be moved sideways. And even if you try to wiggle the saddle back and forth, the post shows no play despite a generous 175 mm of travel. This is truly remarkable, as with other premium dropper posts, some play is usually normal even when new.
After the first test miles, nothing has changed in this regard. We remain curious to see how the post performs in terms of play as the test progresses.
Weight
With 675 grams, the weight of the 30.9 post with 175 mm travel is good, but not sensational. Those looking for a lightweight option might be happier with other posts like the Bike Yoke Divine SL, which is a substantial 300 grams lighter with less travel.
Fox’s new electronic seat post, the Fox Transfer Neo, is also in roughly the same weight class.
New Damping Feature: Active-Ride Function
A new feature of the seat post is the ActiveRide function: When the saddle is lowered, the post can actively absorb shocks, providing more comfort. The pressure in the post is adjustable between 400 and 600 PSI, allowing it to be customized to the rider’s weight and preferred riding style.
This gives you a slightly dampening component with this seat post, especially when using it on a hardtail, which is very pleasant on the trail. However, this function only activates once you have lowered the post by at least 1-2 millimeters. The post then moves only in a very small range of 3-5 mm. It doesn’t absorb over the full travel, but noticeably increases comfort.
Value for Money
With an MSRP of €600, the RockShox Reverb AXS is cheaper than its predecessors but still more expensive than wired alternatives. Mechanical dropper post systems with a remote lever are available from €270. The electronic seat post also requires purchasing the remote lever separately, as it is not included in the bundle. Fox’s Transfer Neo post is almost twice as expensive. Seen this way, the price is reasonable.
Pros
- no play
- easy to service
- no cables
- many options for hubs
Cons
- visually loud
- Remote not included in the delivery
- E-bike batteries cannot be connected directly
Conclusion on the new RockShox Reverb
Rock Shox addresses the truly critical points of dropper posts with the new edition of the Reverb AXS. Instead of cutting weight, they focus primarily on durability. Without any play right out of the box and with the new damping feature, they set new accents that have never been seen before. That’s how it must be if you want to charge €600 for a seatpost. However, the opportunity to power the post from the main battery on e-bikes was missed.
