Longer, stronger, better? With the 2026 Reverb AXS, RockShox are introducing a completely new iteration of their dropper post. It features brand-new internals, new features, and finally has more travel than just 170 mm. But is that enough to make the Reverb the go-to choice for both riders and bike manufacturers again? We put it to the test to find out.
Alongside Rockshox’s forks and shocks, the Reverb dropper post has been a staple in the manufacturer’s product lineup for many years – and it comes with a story. 2010 originally fully hydraulic and not without its issues, then in 2019 RockShox released the first wireless version of the Reverb AXS. While it was undeniably a massive technical innovation at the time, it still relied on an internal hydraulic system and saw little evolution over the years – especially when it came to available travel lengths.
What’s new?
All that changes with the latest iteration of the Reverb AXS. Needless to say, this also reflects on the price tag, with the new Reverb AXS retailing from € 600 without the remote. The complete set with the AXS remote comes in at around € 690, which makes it significantly cheaper than direct competitors such as the new FOX Transfer Neo, which costs more than twice as much at € 1,319. While it’s still not quite on par with traditional cable-operated posts in terms of pricing, it now matches other wireless options like the Kind Shock LEV Circuit (€ 730), whereby the TranzX EDP01still remains the most budget-friendly option in the test field at € 500.
You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The best dropper post.
The new RockShox Reverb AXS is available in all three common seat tube diameters – 30.9, 31.6, and 34.9 mm – and with travel options ranging from 100 mm all the way up to a whopping 250 mm. This makes it the longest-travel dropper post, both in our test field and on the market. And yes, this means even tall riders can finally run a wireless dropper post that gives them enough freedom of movement on the trail.
The travel options are spaced in practical 25 mm increments – so there’s something for everyone. While there’s no option to reduce travel internally, let’s be honest: once you’ve experienced 250 mm of drop, there’s no going back.
Our 225 mm test version has an impressively short insertion depth of 310 mm. For comparison’s sake: the 230 mm SDG TELLIS V2 has 336 mm – so 26 mm more. Even the FOX Transfer Neo, which only has 200 mm of travel, still exceeds that at 315 mm. Here, RockShox clearly positions itself as one of the most efficient options when it comes to maximizing travel while minimizing the required seat tube length. This means that even bikes with shorter seat tubes can take full advantage of longer dropper posts. The stack height – the distance from the bottom of the collar to the middle of the saddle rails – remains unchanged at 65 mm, making it, along with the previous model, the tallest in our test.
Re, Re, Remote. The RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post is still operated via the familiar AXS paddle remote, which is sold separately for around € 90. It runs on a standard coin cell battery that can last up to two years, depending on usage. A small AXS button on the underside of the remote lets you check the battery level via an LED indicator. Through the free AXS app, you can keep an eye on the battery status of both the dropper post and the remote. The remote’s functions are fully customisable, and the new AXS Pods can also be paired seamlessly with the Reverb.
What if the remote dies and you’re stuck mid-ride? No worries – the new 2026 RockShox Reverb AXS can still be operated manually. A button next to the battery unit on the collar lets you open the valve directly. If the post is dropped and your saddle’s mounted, accessing that button can be a tight squeeze – especially with gloves on – so you’ll need a little patience. A short press extends the post, while a longer press lets you drop it again. This also wakes the post from sleep mode – unless it’s already been activated via the built-in shake-to-wake feature.
Important note: without the battery, nothing works – not even manual operation. The standard 300 mAh AXS battery needs to be charged and installed. RockShox include a compatible charger with a Micro-USB cable in the box. Once the battery is in place, a small LED on the side of the seatpost head indicates the charge level: green for full, solid red for half, and flashing red when it’s running critically low.
If you carry your bike in a car for a long journey, it’s a good idea to remove the battery from the post – otherwise, the vibrations can slowly drain it.
The internals of the new 2026 RockShox Reverb AXS
RockShox gave the new Reverb AXS a complete internal overhaul, introducing an all-new air spring design. Out of the box, the Reverb AXS 2026 comes pre-set with maximum air pressure, which increases resistance when lowering the post. If you prefer a lighter feel – or if you’re a lighter rider – you can reduce the pressure, making it easier to drop the post. This tweak is especially helpful for smaller and lighter riders.
The new air spring isn’t just about feel, and is also designed to simplify maintenance and extend service intervals. According to RockShox, a basic service is recommended once a year or after around 300 hours of riding time. This involves disassembling, cleaning, and lubricating the post. Every two years or 600 hours, a full overhaul is due.
No special tools? Nearly. While you won’t need proprietary tools for a full service, you’ll need a shock pump capable of reaching up to 600 PSI. RockShox offer a dedicated service kit for the 600 h service that includes all the necessary seals, lubricants, and small parts. Price: approx. € 55. As soon as we hit the first service interval during long-term testing, we’ll let you know just how easy that process really is.
Fully extended, the RockShox Reverb AXS 2026 is rock solid – ideal for efficient pedaling. But drop it just a centimeter, and ActiveRide kicks in: a valve opens, the air chambers equalize, and suddenly the post offers noticeable suspension. This system is designed to add comfort and traction – especially on steep, technical climbs where you ride with the post slightly lowered.
Plug & Play! Installation is quick and straightforward, just like with the previous model. Put a dab of grease onto the seat tube, slide in the 2026 Reverb AXS – and you’re good to go. That said, RockShox revised the saddle clamp for this new generation. It now uses a conventional two-bolt saddle clamp with tapered nuts. It’s a solid setup, but slightly more fiddly to adjust than the previous version.
The remote? Still as user-friendly as ever. You can mount it with a standard clamp or – for a tidier setup – integrate it directly into the brake lever clamp using a Matchmaker mount. Two mounting points allow for fine-tuned positioning: closer to your thumb or set slightly farther out. Nice touch!
The AXS remote delivers the same performance we’ve come to expect. The paddle-style lever offers a generously-sized contact area and a clearly defined click point, ensuring great haptic feedback and allowing precise control over post height – right down to the millimeter.
Drop and return speed is similar to the previous model – just a touch slower than the FOX Transfer Neo, but still fast and responsive. On the trail, it never feels sluggish, whether you’re bombing straight from a climb into a steep descent or need to react on the fly.
Where it really shines is on technical eMTB climbs, where you’re often riding with the post slightly dropped. That’s when the suspension effect of ActiveRide becomes noticeable, providing additional comfort and grip. It’s not quite a rear shock, but it takes the edge off small bumps and trail chatter – especially in a less-than-optimal seated position.
And it’s not just for performance: it also comes in handy during chill moments – like waiting for your crew at the trailhead, saddle slightly lowered, half lounging in your seat. That gentle “oink, oink” motion of ActiveRide makes the wait a whole lot more comfortable.
Battery life? Still solid. If the LED flashes green before you head out for a ride, you’re set for an entire weekend of shredding – maybe even a full week of trail time. Just don’t forget to pop the battery out during transport – otherwise, every little vibration can wake the post and slowly drain the battery.
Conclusions about the 2026 RockShox Reverb AXS Dropper Post
RockShox pulled out all the stops with the new Reverb AXS 2026. The biggest shortcoming of the previous model – the limited travel options – is finally a thing of the past: now offering up to 250 mm, it’s the most generous drop of any post on the market right now. The new collar-mounted battery may look a bit bulky, but it offers more tire clearance and a sleeker overall silhouette. The stack height remains on the taller side, which could be an issue for very compact frames – but for most setups, it’s not an issue at all. ActiveRide adds noticeable comfort and traction on technical climbs, especially when you’re seated with the post slightly dropped. With prices starting at around € 600, you’ll getting a reliable, high-performance dropper that integrates seamlessly into the AXS ecosystem.
Tops
- Travel options available, 250 mm wireless dropper post – Yeah!
- Reliable performance
- Easy installation
- Excellent tactile feedback from the remote
- Compact insertion depth
Flops
- High stack-height
For more information, visit RockShox.com
The test field
You can find an overview of this comparison test here: The best dropper post.
All dropper posts in test: BikeYoke REVIVE 3.0 | Crankbrothers Highline 11 | FOX Transfer Factory | FOX Transfer Neo Factory | FOX Transfer SL Factory | FSA Flowtron Dropper Post | Kind Shock LEV Circuit | LIMOTEC H1 | OneUp V3 | PNW Loam Dropper | RockShox Reverb AXS | SDG TELLIS V2 | TranzX EDP01 | Turnon Bunker | Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 | RockShox Reverb AXS 2026
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Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Peter Walker
