Long-Term Review: Rockshox Reverb Stealth Review
I am lucky enough to be running a bike from our long term test fleet, the formidable Focus SAM 1.0, and it came fitted with the popular and desirable Rockshox Reverb Stealth 125mm Seatpost. Bike technology is currently advancing at warp speed, so it is surprising to see that the Reverb is still high on the most wanted list, even after a number of years on the market. How has Rockshox managed to keep the £350 Reverb as a ‘must have’ when it comes to bike components, we spent the last few months testing the post to find out!
The unique selling point of the Rockshox Reverb is that the dropper is actuated hydraulically, rather than by the use of a cable, so the hose is filled with oil! Once bled correctly this gives a very reliable performance, free from cable stretch, corrosion and drag. The Rockshox Reverb Stealth is now commonplace on most high end bike builds and unsurprising we experienced very few issues with its performance. In terms of action and control, the Reverb is class leading, you can stop the post easily at any point in its travel and the speed of return can be varied by use of the speed control adjuster. The Stealth version of this post has the hose entering the post from the bottom, so you will need to be sure your frame is compatible with internal routing, however, it is the tidiest and most reliable reverb system available.
The post is not totally free from fault however. The main issues with the Reverb post is that the barbed junction between either the post or the remote and the hose is quite weak and fragile and a firm pull on the hose in a minor crash will often shear it off. Leaving you with a post jammed in either the up or down position and requiring a (around £8) spare part and a re-bleed. In the 2 years that I have owned Reverbs I have needed 4 new barbs, very difficult to source at race meetings etc. I would always suggest having a few spares in your toolbox. In the period of testing this particular post I had a small crash at a local ‘push up’ downhill race which swiftly snapped the barb. You also have to be careful when flipping the bike over, as the remote is quite delicate and is expensive to replace.
Servicing is also a bit more complex on this post. Its main rival, the KS LEv can be stripped down easily by a home mechanic, but the Reverb needs to go back to a service centre if it starts to stick or get slow. In terms of maintenance, I have found that the post has not needed a bleed yet, and from previous experience should be fine for at least a year. The bleeding process is no more difficult than bleeding a set of brakes and the post comes with all the equipment and fluid needed.
The match maker clamp system keeps things very tidy if you are using Avid or SRAM components, and helps reduce clutter on the bar and helps you get the controls right where you want them! I would prefer to run the remote flipped upside down on the opposite side, but can live with the more exposed position as it does provide a neater solution. I have not experienced any issues with controls working loose and it has all been fit and forget. The seat clamp is a little fiddly to set up the first time without help, but once on is very adjustable with useful angle indicators and I have experience no creaking from the clamp. Lateral play at the seat is very low and I have had no issues with the post creeping up and down!
Bottom Line
The Rockshox Reverb Stealth is a very strong performer, the hydraulic actuation is smooth, effective and highly controllable. The post has been highly reliable and is certainly one of the better looking posts on the market. For its purpose it is class leading, and well deserves its wide spread application. The only negative points are the vulnerability of the hose barbs, and if things go wrong it is beyond the home mechanic to fix.
Words and Photos: Trev Worsey
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