ABOUT THE ROCKSHOX REVERB AXS B1 DROPPER SEATPOST
The Reverb AXS B1 dropper seatpost uses RockShox’s wireless AXS system, eliminating the cable in favor of an electrical servo. With the B1 design, RockShox modified the internals and added extra lengths, now covering an industry-leading 100mm to 250mm drop range.
The full list of drop length options available for the RockShox Reverb AXS B1 includes: 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 200mm, 225mm; and the 250mm length tested. These are all available in the common 30.9mm, 31.6mm and 34.9mm seatpost diameters. The 200mm x 31.6mm post is claimed to weigh 737g with the battery.
RockShox moved the battery on the Reverb AXS B1 to the main body of the post, rather than up at the seat clamp. This reduced the overall post length, especially in the stack height. This should help more riders to fit longer travel drop lengths to their bike and obtain more descending clearance. The battery is easy to remove and secure in use, with reasonable availability thanks to widespread AXS adoption, especially in drivetrains. The new simplified 2-bolt seatpost head design is compatible with standard round rails or 7x9mm and 7x10mm oval rails.
With the new Air-Over-Air internals, RockShox claims to have improved durability. Intervals for a basic service are up to 300 hours, with a full service recommended every 600 hours. It also allowed them to implement the ActiveRide system, which offers some compliance to the post when the saddle is partly dropped. This feature aims to improve comfort and performance on technical climbs, and is one of our favorite elements of the Reverb AXS B1, especially on eMTBs. Using the SRAM AXS App, riders can connect to the Reverb B1 and controller to adjust a variety of settings.
The RockShox Reverb B1 retails for $599 / £535 / €600, which does not include the AXS remote. These can be purchased separately for $90 – $165, depending on the version selected.
THE DIRT
I was very excited to see that RockShox had pushed the maximum drop length of the Reverb AXS B1 all the way to 250mm. I was crossing my fingers that I would have the opportunity to put this industry-leading dropper length to the test and see if the performance would live up to expectations. Much to my relief, I was the lucky one in the Loam Wolf crew to put it to the test, and it performed excellently.
Dropper posts are in a good place reliability-wise these days, with most of them functioning as you would hope. To stand out, a dropper must then do something special, which was exactly what the Reverb AXS B1 did. From the long 250mm drop (the longest readily available at the time of writing) to the ActiveRide functionality (the eBiker’s dream), the Reverb B1 makes some compelling statements.
250 millimeters of dropper post travel is incredible for riders looking to maximize clearance on the steepest and most dynamic of trail scenarios. Both staff member Cole and I are especially appreciative of longer dropper posts, with long legs and tall saddle heights. RockShox answered our prayers with this post, and losing the cable makes it all the sweeter.
I’ve heard some criticisms and jokes regarding the ActiveRide system, but I personally think it’s incredible. The only scenarios where I have my post partly dropped are during technical climbs or pedaling through transfer portions of trails. The small amount of suspension the RockShox Reverb AXS B1 provided during these scenarios not only improved comfort, but control too. Especially useful for chunky climbs on eBikes, the ActiveRide functionality was a feature I’ve since missed on every other dropper post.
The responsiveness of the AXS system was satisfactory, if not quite matching that of the Fox NEO system. Even so, I never struggled to obtain the desired height for the post at any given time. Compared to a mechanical dropper, the AXS post responded quicker due to less lever throw and with less force, but didn’t provide the ability to modulate its return speed. One minor consideration is that the post will actuate easily if your leg or thumb catches the lever. While it’s admittedly hard to do this, I managed to catch it mid-air when aggressively whipping the bike out a couple of times. While this is not likely to impact many riders, it’s worth being mindful of.
Of course, the Reverb AXS B1 would not be a product worth recommending if its reliability weren’t stellar. Across this dropper post and the other new-gen Reverb AXS posts we’ve had come through the office, there have been no issues to report. And speaking with other riders and mechanics alike, it seems as if RockShox has avoided any major quirks with their latest AXS dropper post. The post was tight and absent of significant wobble in any direction, and developed no sag at top or bottom throughout the test. The return speed continued to be fast (without becoming violent), and hit the top with satisfying feedback.
I’m yet to service the RockShox Reverb AXS B1 dropper post. I intend to continue running it for the long haul, so I will report back should any issues arise.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
Comparing the 200mm drop Reverb B1 to a 210mm OneUp V3 dropper shimmed to 200mm, the Reverb AXS is only 6.8mm longer in total, but with a 34mm longer stack height. Compared with the Fox Transfer Neo, the overall length is 9mm longer and stack is 17mm longer comparing 200mm drop lengths. So, the Reverb AXS B1 doesn’t win in terms of maximizing the dropper post length you can fit if you’re short on insertion depth. But of course, it has the upper hand with its maximum 250mm drop length offering, as well as its performance on trail.
Comparing the price of the mentioned models, the cable-actuated OneUp V3 comes in with a significant price reduction at $270, whereas the Fox Transfer Neo is $859 with a lever. With the total price of the Reverb coming in around $700 with a lever, value is a hair better than the Fox post, but we’re still talking about a significant price premium over a mechanical post.
The Wolf’s Last Word
With market-leading drop lengths available, stellar performance and reliability, and the excellent ActiveRide functionality for technical climbing, the RockShox Reverb AXS B1 dropper post is a fantastic dropper post offering. 
Price: $599 / £535 / €600
Website: SRAM.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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