After driving excessive because the undisputed chief of wi-fi dropper posts for nearly six years, RockShox acquired a wakeup name when Fox lastly launched the Switch Neo within the late summer season of 2024. With a shorter stack peak and collar-mounted electronics, the Fox Neo bested the Reverb’s most drop of 170mm with a 200mm choice — now as much as 225mm after at this time’s announcement. Add to that Fox’s personal lightning-fast Neo wi-fi protocol and a wi-fi distant with acquainted ergonomics, and the Reverb was not the perfect wi-fi dropper in the marketplace.
It had absolutely been within the works for a while, because it didn’t take lengthy for RockShox to reply with an up to date Reverb AXS. Identified extra formally because the Reverb AXS B1, the 2nd era of the flagship wi-fi dropper launched in April of 2025. The brand new model addresses the shortcomings (actually) of its predecessor with extra and longer sizes, new internals, and a brand new, collar-mounted place for the battery and controller. In a single day, the Reverb AXS went from being “too quick” to the longest dropper in the marketplace, together with improved fitment and aesthetics.
The Yeti LTe e-bike that I’ve been driving on and off since September got here with the newest Reverb AXS dropper. I’ve been testing it on that bike for months and have spent sufficient time driving it to know that it’s an enormous enchancment over the unique. It’s additionally the longest dropper in the marketplace with unmatched wi-fi system integration, however does that make it the perfect? I believe it relies upon…
Decrease stack than earlier model
Higher tire clearance than earlier model
Tremendous simple submit set up
Accessible in drop lengths better than 200mm
Extra inexpensive (however nonetheless costly)
A part of the AXS ecosystem of elements
Costly – however cheaper than earlier
Larger stack and heavier weight in comparison with cable actuated posts
Want to recollect to cost battery
Controller bought individually
RockShox Reverb AXS Particulars
Cory coated the newest Reverb AXS intimately when it launched final April. When you missed that article, it’s price revisiting to get the complete rundown on the modifications that RockShox made. I’ll cowl crucial updates once more right here, however I’ll attempt to hold it quick.
The unique Reverb AXS maxed out at 170mm of journey. Within the ongoing longest dropper competitors, it was surpassed by practically each cable-actuated dropper in the marketplace, in addition to the wi-fi Fox Switch Neo’s 200mm size (now as much as 225mm). The brand new model flipped that script to turn out to be the longest dropper in the marketplace, with a 250mm choice. It’s now obtainable in seven journey lengths, starting from 100mm to 250mm in 25mm increments.
RockShox moved the battery and controller from the highest of the submit to the collar. Preferences differ, however I imagine the collar location is extra aesthetically pleasing. This additionally helps to eradicate the probabilities of tire clearance points whereas making it attainable to make use of a extra conventional two-bolt saddle clamp. Curiously, this alteration didn’t do a lot to cut back stack peak, which at 62mm remains to be fairly tall. For comparability, the Fox Neo is 47mm, and the cable-actuated OneUp V3 is 30mm.
That mentioned, RockShox did handle to cut back the size of the decrease tube and most insertion. It measures 284mm on my 200mm journey submit, which is a good bit shorter than the 315mm of my comparably sized Fox Switch Neo. So, whereas the stack peak should be tall, insertion has been improved, which can make it simpler to suit on some frames.
Internally, the brand new air-over-air system is supposed to be extra sturdy and simpler to service. It additionally makes it attainable to choose up a motorcycle by the saddle with the dropper compressed with out concern of impacting its perform. This allowed them to do away with the Vent Valve as it’s not wanted (a part of the insertion size discount). RockShox additionally gave the brand new Reverb AXS slightly ActiveRide compliance that enables the submit to maneuver just below the rider in any place aside from totally topped or bottomed out.
Dwelling With the Reverb AXS
I’ve ridden with the unique Reverb AXS extensively over time, and most just lately on the Yeti ASR XC bike that I examined in 2024. In my view, it all the time labored nicely sufficient, however the additional weight and restricted sizing by no means made it one thing I needed to purchase. I believe wi-fi elements are cool, however within the case of dropper posts, the cable-actuated choices have been and proceed to be lighter and have quicker actuation than the Reverb AXS. Previous to the brand new model, cable-actuated posts provided extra and longer journey choices, too.
The brand new Reverb addresses what was arguably the most important difficulty with the unique, with the addition of 200, 225, and 250mm journey lengths. Now, lanky folks like me can get essentially the most drop attainable. The Yeti LTe I’m testing got here with a 200mm, however I’m positive I may simply match a 225mm on there if this bike have been mine. All the measurements are oddly troublesome to seek out, however the journey calculator on the web site works fairly nicely.
Talking of that, the lowered size of the decrease tube/most insertion is notable right here as nicely. RockShox did away with the Vent Valve (23mm) on the underside of the submit, though there’s nonetheless a shorter plastic cap (10mm) on the brand new one. The outdated model, in a 170mm size, had a most insertion of 268mm, whereas the brand new model, in a 175mm size, has a most insertion of 260mm. Extra journey with much less size = the potential to squeeze an extended journey submit on a body. That’s a win for a lot of riders.
Whereas the stack peak of 62mm is just a few millimeters shorter than the unique, the collar-mounted place of the battery and controller is an improve, in my view. At my peak, I used to be by no means vulnerable to tire clearance points, however I recognize that the electronics are out of the direct line of fireplace of tire spray. The normal 2-bolt saddle clamp can be a step up from the funky, and typically noisy, single-bolt clamp on the earlier model.
I additionally favor the aesthetics in comparison with the earlier model. I’m kinda splitting hairs right here, however I additionally favor the form of the elements, in comparison with the squared-off, blocky look of the battery on the Fox Switch Neo. Nonetheless, like most individuals, I believed the brand new Reverb regarded slightly odd at first, however now I don’t even discover it. The identical goes for the Fox submit; it simply appears regular to me now.
Functionally, the Reverb AXS has labored completely for me all the time that I’ve been utilizing it. With the brand new air-over-air internals, it hasn’t developed any sag, and you’ll really choose up the bike by a dropped saddle and never trigger any points. I do know ActiveRide is there, however I don’t discover all of it whereas driving, which I suppose is an efficient factor. I haven’t touched the air strain because it reportedly comes set at 600 psi, however the velocity of compression and extension has been working very nicely for me, and I see no have to mess with it. It goes up, it goes down, and it has been working reliably for months. That’s not one thing I can say about any of the earlier Reverbs I’ve used.
The AXS wi-fi actuation works the identical because it ever has, which is to say, it’s wonderful however not wonderful. Actually, I’d argue that’s the least spectacular facet of the Reverb AXS’s efficiency. It’s not that it’s sluggish precisely, however the actuation velocity is noticeably slower than Fox’s lightning-fast Neo wi-fi protocol. I’m additionally an enormous fan of the ergonomics of the Fox wi-fi distant. To me, the distinction is sort of dramatic, and the first motive I believe the Switch Neo is presently the perfect wi-fi dropper in the marketplace.
However, and it is a VERY BIG BUT, SRAM’s full AXS ecosystem of elements is difficult to miss. I’ve expressed my dislike of the Pod Controllers earlier than, and that also stands, however with the ability to combine all your AXS elements collectively is spectacular and never one thing you are able to do with Fox and/or Shimano (though it could be cool in the event that they teamed up for one thing like that). The power to customise all your controls can be good, particularly for those who’re working a Transmission drivetrain, Flight Attendant suspension, and an AXS dropper collectively, like I used to be on that Yeti ASR.
The 1-year/300 hours/10,000 actuation Primary Service interval can be fairly lengthy, and the Full Service is double that. I’m nowhere near needing service, so I haven’t taken mine aside. Primarily based on the service handbook, the service procedures look like one thing that assured, skilled, and/or adventurous mechanics may probably do themselves. I’ll nonetheless in all probability take mine to the professionals.
I used to be additionally joyful to see that RockShox was in a position to decrease the worth to $599. That worth doesn’t embrace a distant, nonetheless, which is able to value you $165 ($220 for the Final Pod) for those who don’t have already got one. The $764 whole worth remains to be fairly excessive, clearly, however lower than the $861 for the earlier model or $859 for the Fox Switch Neo.
What’s To not Like?
Whereas RockShox has addressed a number of the complaints in regards to the authentic, the brand new Reverb nonetheless suffers from the problems inherent with wi-fi droppers. Weight is without doubt one of the most blatant drawbacks, and the 31.6 x 200mm submit I’ve weighs 733 grams (submit and battery). The Pod and Matchmaker clamp weigh one other 50 grams, bringing the full as much as 783 grams. For comparability, that’s 34 grams heavier than the Fox Switch Neo in the identical dimension, and 150 to 200 grams greater than most comparable cable-actuated posts.
And let’s not overlook about batteries. Sure, the AXS battery lasts a surprisingly very long time, however you’ve acquired to recollect to cost it each occasionally. A proactive strategy works nicely right here, however most individuals will inevitably expertise a useless battery on the trailhead or mid-ride finally. However if in case you have different AXS elements, the shared battery and charger are kinda good from a comfort standpoint.
Regardless of claims of “as much as a 12 months” lifespans for the distant batteries, my expertise is sort of completely different. I normally don’t have a check bike for greater than a few months, and I’ve in all probability changed 10 coin cell batteries in Pods, together with for this dropper. It has occurred sufficient instances that I carry an additional CR2032 in my pack on a regular basis.
RockShox Reverb AXS: My Takeaway
The battle for the perfect wi-fi dropper submit goes sturdy, and RockShox got here out swinging with the 2nd era of the Reverb AXS. Personally, I’m slightly torn between it and the Fox Switch Neo, as they each have elements of their design and efficiency that set them aside.
The Fox submit is extremely easy, constant, and has a shorter stack peak and barely decrease weight. I drastically favor the ergonomics and acquainted form of the distant, and I’ve been very impressed by the velocity of Fox’s Neo wi-fi protocol. It’s really on one other degree. In the present day’s addition of a 225mm size narrows the hole considerably, as nicely.
On the identical time, the addition of extra, longer journey lengths provides the Reverb the title of the longest dropper in the marketplace and makes it arguably the most suitable choice for the tallest riders. Fitment is improved barely with shorter insertion depths, and the up to date battery place permits for a daily saddle clamp, and it appears to be like higher, in my view. The combination with different AXS elements is slick and positive to please these on board the SRAM AXS prepare.
I’m not making an attempt to say that wi-fi droppers aren’t an pointless extravagance, however for those who’re searching for one, I don’t assume you’ll be able to go fallacious with both. I’m keen on the Fox Neo, however the very tallest riders and people working different AXS elements will possible gravitate towards the Reverb, and that’s a logical alternative. Particularly so now that it has improved, extra dependable internals, and is available in a size to swimsuit each rider.
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