RockShox's Reverb AXS XPLR Dropper is For More Than Just Gravel
This whole gravel thing has really blown up over the last few years. Yeah, I know you probably aren't on Pinkbike to hear that, so consider this your gravel content trigger warning. And don't worry, we're not about to start covering curly bars any time soon, but there could be a couple bits of SRAM's just-released XPLR (it's short for "explore") gravel-focused group that make sense on your mountain bike. If you are a gravel rider in hiding, head to CyclingTips for all the details on the new Zipp XLPR wheels, SRAM 10-44 tooth XPLR cassette (and the required derailleur), and the Rudy suspension fork.
We're going to take a closer look at the also-new, $600 USD RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper that, at the push of a button, can also act as a suspension post. I'm sure there will be plenty of clever jokes about that in the comment section, but it might mean that the short-travel e-Verb makes sense for hardtail riders looking to take some of the edge off their body.
Reverb AXS XPLR Dropper
With just 50 or 75mm of travel, and the same AXS battery tucked under your seat, the XPLR dropper looks like a pint-sized version of the standard wireless Reverb.
It even employs the same dual-adjust head as the mountain bike version, and you can also control it with the normal Reverb remote that you'd run on a mountain bike handlebar. Internally, however, it's very different from a standard Reverb. It's only available in a 27.2mm diameter, meaning those who aren't letting go of their steel hardtails now have a wireless Reverb option, while riders who don't need more travel but have larger seat tube (most droppers are either 30.9mm or 31.6mm) can shim the shorty e-Verb to fit.
Thing is, that smaller, 27.2mm diameter necessitated a complete redesign of the standard Reverb's hydraulic internals.
Thing is, that smaller, 27.2mm diameter necessitated a complete redesign of the standard Reverb's hydraulic internals.
The XPLR dropper offers either 50mm or 75mm of drop and can also be turned into a suspension seat post with the push of a button.
And by "redesign," I mean they decided to not use any oil at all inside the XPLR dropper. Instead, there's an air-based system that can either lock the post into position or, at the push of a button, turn it into what RockShox is calling "ActiveRide" mode. I know it doesn't make it sound as cool, but I'm gonna call it a suspension seat post instead. Without any oil for the air to mix with, RockShox could skip using their Vent Valve system you'll find on the bottom of the mountain version.
There's no oil inside the XPLR dropper, just air.
Yes, I realize that suspension seat posts probably bring beach cruisers and hybrid bikes to mind, but they still do have a niche following with some hardtail riders. Being more comfortable is more better for a lot of people, but it can also give riders an advantage on choppy climbs where staying seated might be the difference between spinning out and being the only one in your group to clean it. The spring rate is adjusted via the same air valve that controls the return speed; more air means quicker rebound and a firmer suspension post, er, ActiveRide. And I know things can get a bit enduro-centric around here and we're spoiled with droppers that make your seat completely disappear, but there are plenty of places in the world where 75mm of stroke is more than enough.
The other possible upside: Thanks to its air-based internals, the 50mm version weighs 560-grams (with a battery), or about 100-grams lighter than the standard mountain bike Reverb and, according to James Huang over at the CyclingTips, 200-grams less than PNW's suspension/dropper post once the required cable and housing is put on the scale. That might not seem like many grams, but there are plenty of riders and racers out there who always want a lighter bike under them.
Does the XPLR dropper make sense if you're a racer looking for a lightweight wireless dropper?
Let's do a little thought experiment: Pretend for a few minutes that you're a cross-country rider or racer who has zero interest in getting too rowdy, but you also know that a lower seat means more confidence, faster cornering, and maybe a bit fewer of those over-the-handlebar crashes. It never looks good when you're folded in half backward while wearing Lycra. Is the Reverb AXS XPLR something you'd consider, or would you choose a normal dropper or keep up the sketchy high-posting?
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1. How much use, abuse and mud do their bikes see?
2. Which of your friends charges the least for a dental inspection?
I'm yet to have a single person in store that it would work for, yet I'm always seeing people ask for them online. What's the combo that makes it work?
I'm a 183cm rider on a size L Strive 29er, with a 150mm reverb - although I don't feel like I need a 200+mm dropper there is plenty of room to run one.
A quick look at the Yeti/SC/Pivot/Specialized/Giant/Norco/Kona/Intense websites suggests that the same would apply to all of their trail and enduro bikes in a size Large or above.
Designs like Evil without much insertion are in the distinct minority these days.
I'm not saying there's no case where a longer post makes sense, it just seems to be such an infinitesimally small market that it kind of makes sense why many brands aren't getting into it. Again, I'm yet to have a single rider by that would make use of a 210mm dropper, and we deal a fair few brands.
I think the majority of bikes in size L and XL that have gotten a update recently and fall in the trail and enduro category can fit a 200+ dropper for most people, just based upon forums, discords, riding buddies and people I meet at races.
Personally then I don't "need" a 210 dropper, since my 180 is fine and I don't hit it, but at the same time I think it looks better when I don't have so much showing and I want AXS, but I don't want to get AXS and get 10mm less drop.
I hear you loud and clear, and as the market moves forward, I see them becoming more popular for sure. Right now, between insertion depth and frame standover, there's just such a small market for it that it doesn't currently make sense.
This is just me attempting to answer why this hasn't become more common with my own anecdotes. We will all have our experience, but I feel my anecdotes line up fairly factually with what the industry is saying and selling.
As far as the retail level demand for 200mm posts, it pretty hard to measure when nobody has stock of anything. All we know is that supply can't keep up with demand so there's a market niche there for someone to fill, even if your big industry player doesn't think it's worthwhile for their company.
Like I said in my post above, I don't see any particular need for a 200+mm post. When my current 150mm Reverb gives up the ghost I won't be giving post length over 175mm any particular benefit in my value considerations, so I agree on the market size being limited by demand. But that's a _completely_ different thing to saying it wouldn't work, which was what your first post was about.
The big question for me - is there a new AXS Reverb dropper release just around the corner? Perhaps shedding some weight, faster electronics, etc...
www.ebay.com/itm/284400664480?hash=item423799bfa0:g:14YAAOSwu3BhAUxo
And at 600$ I expect Kashima coating.
I run a dropper on it.
Makes stoplights easier.
A little news from adjacent industry shouldn't offend anyone, but seriously, explaining the "explore" contraction is leaning that way. We're mountain bikers, not idiots.
It is SRAM btw. There is no SH sound in the name.
1. Would you to drop $500 and 500g on a short travel suspension seatpost or spend that extra money and weight on a dualie instead? A dualie will help you climb and descend with more traction, this will just make climbing more comfortable (they'll both decrease efficiency somewhat when active).
2. I don't see how a suspension seatpost can help you clear tough sections. It won't allow the back when to move relative to the cranks, you won't get more traction. I don't remember having much weight on the saddle on the last really tough climb I did.
3. This might get use on a few steel hardtails with 27.2 seatposts. On the other hand, it's not hard to add a dropper port to the seat tube of a steel hardtail and run any number of 27.2 internally routed droppers. Aren't wireless contraptions the antithesis of the classic steel hardtail anyway?
No.
Personally, I want one of these for my gravel/road bike, although it'll depend on how the control can be integrated into non-SRAM controls (I run Campy).