RockShox Reverb's revised design shifts battery placement and introduces a soft feel during mid-stroke for enhanced comfort.
Reborn Reverb: RockShox's Iconic Dropper Post Scores a Major Makeover
RockShox takes the dropper post market by storm with the revamped Reverb, boasting longer travel options, a fresh battery location, and improved suspension. This post has earned accolades in previous tests, being one of the top-notch dropper posts available. And that's a high benchmark to surpass.
The new Reverb relocates its battery from the head to the collar area, which might not win any style points, but it advances tire clearance significantly.
Reverb Refresher
- Transferred battery location: now at the collar (was at the head) for improved tire clearance
- Range of travel: 100mm to thunderous 250mm in 25mm increments
- ActiveRide adds a springy element for enhanced comfort when seated but stays rigid when fully extended and collapsed
- Sizes: 30.9mm, 31.6mm, 34.9mm
- Average weight: 700g (31.6mm / 175mm length, plus 56g for the controller)
- Price: £535
Though the stack height appears substantial, it's about on par with the original post thanks to improvements to the seat clamp.
What's in Store?
The overhauled Reverb's headlining feature is the relocation of the battery to the seatpost collar. Fox made the same move with their Transfer Neo last year, aiming for improved tyre clearance. While buzzing of tires against the battery was an issue for some, yet unusual, it doesn't seem like a widespread problem. Nevertheless, this redesign tackles that issue effectively.
The new Reverb uses the AXS system's standard battery, enabling cross-compatibility with mechanical and suspension parts, as well as the vintage Reverb.
Battery Squatters Wanted
Remarkably, RockShox has retained the old AXS battery from the former Reverb AXS and all SRAM's other wireless components, ensuring battery spares are easily accessible. However, the new collar's height is a notable 40mm, which is 10mm taller compared to the previous generation and nearly double that of the Fox Transfer Neo (26mm). Fortunately, RockShox has managed to reclaim some space by slimming the head, where the saddle clamps, so the overall stack height remains unchanged.
RockShox prides itself on the new Reverb's ease of service.
Deep Drops
Previously, the Reverb only offered drops up to 170mm, leaving taller riders out in the cold. Not anymore, as the new Reverb offers lengths as short as 100mm and as long as 250mm, in 25mm increments. That's more than enough to accommodate even the lankiest of riders.
Fitting the new Reverb is as seamless as sliding the post into your frame and pairing it with the controller on your handlebar. All AXS shifters are compatible with the new post, with the rocker paddle version of the latest controller serving as the default option.
AXS Adept
The new Reverb can be customized using the AXS app and is compatible with all the AXS wireless controllers, theoretically allowing you to even assign your lower right-hand AXS pod button to trigger the dropper.
The transformation from the side clamp head to the top/bottom design of the old Reverb comes with its own pros and cons. However, moving the remote to the top/bottom design results in a stack height that's far more manageable.
Active Scene
ActiveRide is a feature first introduced on the Reverb XPLR gravel dropper, keeping the post moving up and down on an air spring when seated. Some of you might recall (and maybe grumble about) the same "feature" in the older models. However, the ActiveRide on the new post differs significantly from the bouncy rear-end of the vintage Reverb due to the absence of hydraulics. Instead, the post is lockable and doesn't move when fully extended or retracted—it only offers smooth movement within its travel.
So why bother with an active dropper seatpost? Riding on uneven ground while seated can cause sudden interruptions in your pedal stroke. ActiveRide absorbs some of those bumps, shortening the distance between the seat and pedals, allowing your leg more freedom to accommodate the movement and maintain cadence. Some might find this excessive, but having experienced it myself, I must admit it's quite a nifty feature.
At 750g for the controller and post, weight-conscious riders might not find this a featherweight system. But for the convenience and comfort, one might argue it's worth the extra weight.
Maintenental Mainstay
By eliminating hydraulics, the new Reverb eases maintenance concerns. RockShox recommends servicing the post every 300 hours, which is typically yearly, and the new components make repairs quick and painless.
- The new Reverb dropper post, equipped with features like ActiveRide for enhanced comfort, is compatible with various AXS wireless gadgets, ensuring seamless integration with sports technology accessories.
- Incorporating the AXS battery at the seatpost collar is not just a design update for the Reverb, it also boosts tire clearance significantly and solves the issue of tires touching the battery, a rare yet problematic scenario for some riders.
