Product name: Rockshox Reverb AXS B1 Dropper Post (Gen 2 2026)
Price paid: £535 RRP (£500.43 paid!)
Score (out of 10): 8.5/10
Review: There have been a load of groundbreaking advancements in bikes since I was a kid. Hydraulic brakes and suspension are two that spring to mind, and another is the dropper post.
Back in the old days, I used to carry an Allen key in my pocket for lowering my saddle for the descents. Then came quick release seat posts… and eventually, the dropper post. I got my first one in 2007 when I got back into bikes, and it felt like a revelation… and something I wouldn’t be without anymore.
At the beginning of 2020, I bought my first eMTB - a Trek Rail 9.9 AXS. I’m a sucker for gadgets and tech, and this bike had wireless shifting and a wireless dropper. I rode it for about 2 weeks… and then ordered a Levo SL as the Rail had too much power. I also ordered a Reverb AXS dropper and AXS shifting for it, as even after 2 weeks use, I felt I couldn’t go back to wired.
The simple push button is so easy on the thumbs, and the ability to ‘tap’ the button and drop a couple of mm’s is ideal for technical climbs.
I’ve run a Reverb AXS for over 5 years now. My original developed a fault where it would only return to about 75%, and was warranty replaced - the diagnosis was a bent post. The replacement has been on my bike for over 4 years. No servicing, no maintaining - still working perfectly. Probably not very sensible, but I figured I’d just run it till it died now. I’ve had issues with the cable on my old Stumpy - so the lack of cable is a bonus. The only downside to the Reverb is the maximum length is 170mm…
…until now!!
I picked up the Reverb AXS B1 a few days ago. It’s the second Gen Rockshox wireless post, and is now available in 25mm increments, all the way from 100mm to 250mm. I’ve swapped from a 34.9 x 170mm post to a 30.9 x 200mm post… so an additional 30mm drop.
3 reasons for the width change - the 30.9 can be shimmed to work with any of my bikes (my stumpy is 31.6), I can get a better insertion depth with the slimmer post (I’d have had to take 175mm if I wanted 34.9), and it’s lighter too. Putting them on the scales, the original 170mm x 34.9 post weighed 828g (with battery fitted) and the new B1 200mm x 30.9 weighs just 712g (with battery fitted) and 751g with the shim on.
The new B1 is also cheaper than the original. UK retail price is £535. I had a “spend over £250 get £25 off” voucher with Tredz, and used Quidco to get 3% cashback... so it cost me a few pence over £500.
The downside is that it doesn’t come with a remote. The expectation is that most people have a spare one (I have a couple sitting in drawers), but I’m not sure everyone will. A Reverb remote costs about £80 if you don’t have one… or you can use a POD - which is about £100.
I use the POD with the new ‘rocker’ buttons, and have the second button set for cycling through my Garmin screens.
Even with a remote, the Reverb B1 is still significantly cheaper than the Fox Transfer Neo - which retails at £1129.
Apart from the extra length, what else has changed?
It’s gone from having the electronics discreetly hidden under the seat, to having a bulge at the bottom of the post. This is a similar design to the Fox offering, and looks a bit odd.
Thankfully, I used the SRAM calculator tool (Calculator - RockShox), and got the perfect fit with the electronics right at the base - but others might find that the bulge ends up being further up the post.
My insertion depth just lets me away with the 200mm (in 30.9)- I have the post slammed almost as far as it will go, and it’s the ideal height when extended. 6ft 2” on an S4 Levo SL. If I was an inch shorter I’d need a 175mm, which would have the bulge about 30mm up the post!
The electronics have a light and button on them… and the button on this one is much bigger than the usual AXS buttons. Being where it is, it’s a lot more accessible - so in theory, you could use this without a remote and simply press this button instead. It could be handy if your remote battery randomly died when out on a ride I suppose. As it’s out front, it doesn’t get in the way, and should be shielded better from mud and grime than the original. It just doesn’t look as ‘clean’ as the original did.
The actual seat clamp has gone back to an old school one. It’s a lot more awkward to fit the saddle and adjust, especially mine which has quite chunky oval carbon rails. Something with round rails would probably be much easier - but I ended up putting little strips of black tape on the inserts to hold them in place, as I didn’t have enough hands to reassemble it. I imagine this is behind a decent amount of the weight saving. It’s a set and forget though - so I won’t have the hassle of refitting the saddle again until service time.
Speaking of servicing, the B2 is now an air only post - so no hydraulics in here. This apparently makes servicing much simpler, and the 300hrs / 1 year service can be done in 15 mins without a load of specialist tools. Above 175mm posts are running at 600psi though, so will need an above average shock pump to repressurise it.
There’s a feature called Activeride that is also new. At full extension, the post will remain rigid, however if you drop the post a bit and sit down, Activeride is engaged. This offers a slight ‘suspension’ on the saddle - subtly moving as you go over rocks etc. I can’t say I noticed it, but then I have rear suspension. Perhaps it’s something more designed for a hardtail or gravel bike?
Apart from that, it seems to be the great Reverb AXS post that I’ve loved for the last 5 years. Fast response time, easy to find the right height when dropping a little bit (climbing for example), easy to setup / install (once you get the saddle on!).
A like for like post should be slightly lighter in the B1 configuration, and the battery life is supposed to be slightly better too.
I’ve only managed a few rides with it so far, so time will tell. Initially, I’m really pleased with my additional 30mm and 77g drop in weight!
I've scored 8.5/10 - 0.5 off for not coming with a remote, and 1 off for the ugly bulge!
Price paid: £535 RRP (£500.43 paid!)
Score (out of 10): 8.5/10
Review: There have been a load of groundbreaking advancements in bikes since I was a kid. Hydraulic brakes and suspension are two that spring to mind, and another is the dropper post.
Back in the old days, I used to carry an Allen key in my pocket for lowering my saddle for the descents. Then came quick release seat posts… and eventually, the dropper post. I got my first one in 2007 when I got back into bikes, and it felt like a revelation… and something I wouldn’t be without anymore.
At the beginning of 2020, I bought my first eMTB - a Trek Rail 9.9 AXS. I’m a sucker for gadgets and tech, and this bike had wireless shifting and a wireless dropper. I rode it for about 2 weeks… and then ordered a Levo SL as the Rail had too much power. I also ordered a Reverb AXS dropper and AXS shifting for it, as even after 2 weeks use, I felt I couldn’t go back to wired.
The simple push button is so easy on the thumbs, and the ability to ‘tap’ the button and drop a couple of mm’s is ideal for technical climbs.
I’ve run a Reverb AXS for over 5 years now. My original developed a fault where it would only return to about 75%, and was warranty replaced - the diagnosis was a bent post. The replacement has been on my bike for over 4 years. No servicing, no maintaining - still working perfectly. Probably not very sensible, but I figured I’d just run it till it died now. I’ve had issues with the cable on my old Stumpy - so the lack of cable is a bonus. The only downside to the Reverb is the maximum length is 170mm…
…until now!!
I picked up the Reverb AXS B1 a few days ago. It’s the second Gen Rockshox wireless post, and is now available in 25mm increments, all the way from 100mm to 250mm. I’ve swapped from a 34.9 x 170mm post to a 30.9 x 200mm post… so an additional 30mm drop.
3 reasons for the width change - the 30.9 can be shimmed to work with any of my bikes (my stumpy is 31.6), I can get a better insertion depth with the slimmer post (I’d have had to take 175mm if I wanted 34.9), and it’s lighter too. Putting them on the scales, the original 170mm x 34.9 post weighed 828g (with battery fitted) and the new B1 200mm x 30.9 weighs just 712g (with battery fitted) and 751g with the shim on.
The new B1 is also cheaper than the original. UK retail price is £535. I had a “spend over £250 get £25 off” voucher with Tredz, and used Quidco to get 3% cashback... so it cost me a few pence over £500.
The downside is that it doesn’t come with a remote. The expectation is that most people have a spare one (I have a couple sitting in drawers), but I’m not sure everyone will. A Reverb remote costs about £80 if you don’t have one… or you can use a POD - which is about £100.
I use the POD with the new ‘rocker’ buttons, and have the second button set for cycling through my Garmin screens.
Even with a remote, the Reverb B1 is still significantly cheaper than the Fox Transfer Neo - which retails at £1129.
Apart from the extra length, what else has changed?
It’s gone from having the electronics discreetly hidden under the seat, to having a bulge at the bottom of the post. This is a similar design to the Fox offering, and looks a bit odd.
Thankfully, I used the SRAM calculator tool (Calculator - RockShox), and got the perfect fit with the electronics right at the base - but others might find that the bulge ends up being further up the post.
My insertion depth just lets me away with the 200mm (in 30.9)- I have the post slammed almost as far as it will go, and it’s the ideal height when extended. 6ft 2” on an S4 Levo SL. If I was an inch shorter I’d need a 175mm, which would have the bulge about 30mm up the post!
The electronics have a light and button on them… and the button on this one is much bigger than the usual AXS buttons. Being where it is, it’s a lot more accessible - so in theory, you could use this without a remote and simply press this button instead. It could be handy if your remote battery randomly died when out on a ride I suppose. As it’s out front, it doesn’t get in the way, and should be shielded better from mud and grime than the original. It just doesn’t look as ‘clean’ as the original did.
The actual seat clamp has gone back to an old school one. It’s a lot more awkward to fit the saddle and adjust, especially mine which has quite chunky oval carbon rails. Something with round rails would probably be much easier - but I ended up putting little strips of black tape on the inserts to hold them in place, as I didn’t have enough hands to reassemble it. I imagine this is behind a decent amount of the weight saving. It’s a set and forget though - so I won’t have the hassle of refitting the saddle again until service time.
Speaking of servicing, the B2 is now an air only post - so no hydraulics in here. This apparently makes servicing much simpler, and the 300hrs / 1 year service can be done in 15 mins without a load of specialist tools. Above 175mm posts are running at 600psi though, so will need an above average shock pump to repressurise it.
There’s a feature called Activeride that is also new. At full extension, the post will remain rigid, however if you drop the post a bit and sit down, Activeride is engaged. This offers a slight ‘suspension’ on the saddle - subtly moving as you go over rocks etc. I can’t say I noticed it, but then I have rear suspension. Perhaps it’s something more designed for a hardtail or gravel bike?
Apart from that, it seems to be the great Reverb AXS post that I’ve loved for the last 5 years. Fast response time, easy to find the right height when dropping a little bit (climbing for example), easy to setup / install (once you get the saddle on!).
A like for like post should be slightly lighter in the B1 configuration, and the battery life is supposed to be slightly better too.
I’ve only managed a few rides with it so far, so time will tell. Initially, I’m really pleased with my additional 30mm and 77g drop in weight!
I've scored 8.5/10 - 0.5 off for not coming with a remote, and 1 off for the ugly bulge!
Last edited:
