"It's me not you". A AXS story.

[Pauliemon]

Ahhh the old "it's me not you" breakup. I cannot come to terms with AXS ergonomics. It's got to be me, how many riders happily using AXS? A lot! I'm constantly shifting up when I want down or vice versa.. The shift levers are to close together for me. I'm actually not that impressed with it anyway. I'll be waiting on the voice command shifting. "Up no I mean down crap!" Yeah I'll probably mess that up to. Automatic? In the meantime I'm going back to XTR.

 

[Jackware]

Have you tried just reversing the up -down function in the app or the different style lever?

 

[Paulquattro]

Have you tried just reversing the up -down function in the app or the different style lever?

What he said
also you can buy an optional lever that replicates the standard levers better

Shifter Spares - Eagle Axs Rocker Upgrade Kit (Includes Lever, Spring, Pivot Pin)

Sram: The newly redesigned Eagle AXS Rocker Paddle gives the rider a traditional, familiar interface for their cutting-edge electronic control. Effortless electronic shifting paired with a more traditional feeling actuation allows riders who are new to using AXS quick integration and provides...

www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk

 

[Pauliemon]

Reversed, closer, further, pointed up, pointed down. I've had it in every conceivable configuration and position. It's XO1 I believe that has the optional lever. Just can't come to terms with it.

 

[Mteam]

Reversed, closer, further, pointed up, pointed down. I've had it in every conceivable configuration and position. It's XO1 I believe that has the optional lever. Just can't come to terms with it.

The optional lever is available on any level of axs, gx included.

I couldn't get on with the default setup, but once I had reversed the buttons using the app it was all fine.

 

[RustyIron]

I'm constantly shifting up when I want down or vice versa.. The shift levers are to close together for me. I'm actually not that impressed with it anyway.

I'll trade you a used X01 derailleur, two cables, and a hundred bucks for your AXS setup.

 

[mak]

I was tempted but after riding a friends bike last year, its not for me . There's just no feel to the change, Its hard to beat a well set up xt shifter set up.

 

[Pauliemon]

I was tempted but after riding a friends bike last year, its not for me . There's just no feel to the change, Its hard to beat a well set up xt shifter set up.

Exactly.

 

[Pauliemon]

For me I can't distinguish with my thumb which paddle. On the XTR or XT I use my index finger to shift up and thumb to shift down. Also it's like mak said there's no feel.

 

[Pauliemon]

I'll trade you a used X01 derailleur, two cables, and a hundred bucks for your AXS setup.

Tempting but no thanks.

 

[Jackware]

Is there something you haven't told us?

 

[Pauliemon]

Must be an old age thing.

I'm gonna hit you with my carbon fiber cane!

 

[Stihldog]

I fell into the AXS environment during my quest to cleanup the cockpit. Installed both the Reverb dropper and AXS derailer. Took some retraining and mental rewiring to get familiar with the new controls …after 3 rides I figured it out. I wouldn’t go back to the “old” way.

 

[GeorgesEBike]

I love my SRAM AXS Drivetrain and Dropper. I'm good with either GX, X01 and XX1. Digging the very clean look and super crisp shifting. Never any issues.

 

[chrismechmaster]

Same here Axs X01 drive train and Axs dropper on my Levo

Used to spend so much time messing with cable barrel adjuster and could never get it “right” axs clean shift every time

 

[Tony4wd]

Any gear setup that works smoothly and is easy to keep in tune is fine. I like the 9 speed shimano gears on the Cube reaction just as much as my AXS. The SRAM 12 speed with cable and various derailleurs was a PITA.

 

[mtbbiker]

My issue. With AXS was having two bikes. One with and one without. It would take several minutes to get use to whatever setup I had to shift with. My solution was to upgrade the other bike with AXS and didn’t realize the original shift button was still on the new shifter. But that new shifter was super easy to get use to. Now both bikes have AXS and the same shifter buttons and simply love how well it shifts

 

[Dave Jenvey Superfan]

Interesting to read. I've been trying to decide which way to go with the AXS, and whether to go XX1 or XO1. Interesting to read that not everyone loves it. Might have to try and get a ride on a bike with AXS it before pulling the trigger on the new setup.

 

[cookie70]

been running AXS on the EB for a little while, simply could not get on with the original paddle. The updated design is much better, tho I still mis-shift when things are getting spicy. My other bikes are the good ol' shimano and takes all of 5 seconds for my brain to be familiar with the shifters, I only use my thumb.
I feel the AXS shifter is a big miss on SRAMs part. It would be amazing if someone used the sram electronics with shimano shifter.. I use the bike yoke Left Hand adapter, gets the shifter in best position I have found.

As far as the derailleur , its awesome, it just works, shifts great (on shimano drivetrain) no faffing with cables, maybe a little noisy when its rough.

 

[#lazy]

I’ll wait for the telepathy version as couldn’t see myself shouting UP/DOWN all ride !

 

[Stihldog]

I’ll wait for the telepathy version as couldn’t see myself shouting UP/DOWN all ride !

Now that could eliminate any systematic delays that might arise mechanically or neurologically. …easily hacked though??

 

[daju]

Ahhh the old "it's me not you" breakup. I cannot come to terms with AXS ergonomics. It's got to be me, how many riders happily using AXS? A lot! I'm constantly shifting up when I want down or vice versa.. The shift levers are to close together for me. I'm actually not that impressed with it anyway. I'll be waiting on the voice command shifting. "Up no I mean down crap!" Yeah I'll probably mess that up to. Automatic? In the meantime I'm going back to XTR.

I would love to get AXS, but riding here in New England with lots of woods and deadfall and making new trails I break a mech about every 6 months

 

[6950rpm]

I added the AXS shifter to my Levo and love it. Initially it felt weird and wasn’t instinctive which button to press so I reversed the buttons in the app and that, for me, made it worse. Managed to get hold of the alternative paddle and that made a huge difference.

 

[cappuccino34]

I've got several bikes, but currently only ride one with AXS. (Updated paddle, the standard paddle is crap and they need to just ditch it)
I originally had it set up like a conventional cable shifter, but for some bizarre reason I kept going the wrong way with it so I flipped it in the app, so upshifts are now the top paddle and down shifts the bottom paddle. Up is up and down is down.
I now have no problem going from bike to bike, even though the AXS is upside down to the others.

 

[Stihldog]

I've got several bikes, but currently only ride one with AXS. (Updated paddle, the standard paddle is crap and they need to just ditch it)
I originally had it set up like a conventional cable shifter, but for some bizarre reason I kept going the wrong way with it so I flipped it in the app, so upshifts are now the top paddle and down shifts the bottom paddle. Up is up and down is down.
I now have no problem going from bike to bike, even though the AXS is upside down to the others.

Sitting here on my couch I couldn’t tell you how I programmed the AXS controls (up-down or down-up). But when I jump on my bike and make that first shift, it does what I want, when I want.
I also use the HG Shimano chain and 12 speed Shimano XT cassette. The biggest problem is that it’s too smooth, too quiet, too reliable, too fast etc. .

If the cost comes down a bit I’ll put the AXS GX on the Hardtail.

 

[Julz]

do you know that you can still use your index finger to shift with axs? It has a little knurled bit behind the optional paddle where you can shift up or down with your index finger. I discovered it after dislocating my thumb. Worked perfectly until it healed and I went back to thumb only

 

[jcismo1]

I too was having a hard time adapting to the AXS controller, because my other bikes are standard Shimano. I left mine configured, as from the factory. What I did do, is a lot of trimming down of the paddle, as you can see in the pictures. It now feels very close to the standard Shimano shifter. I have been training myself to not use my thumb to shift into higher gears, when riding my bikes with standard Shimano. Now I’m using just my thumb to downshift and my index finger to upshift. The AXS feels quite natural now, as I have been using Shimano forever. Another benefit of the trim down, is that I’m not finding myself, making unwanted shifts. Oh, I also did a little stippling, to provide a little traction. It’s also a Sramano setup and works perfectly with the Shimano SLX cassette.

 

[nrgbod]

I use the Zirbel shifter with my AXS. Flick up with the thumb to change up and flick down with the thumb to change down, simple. It's also silky smooth to operate, and wear free, due to the magnetic centring 'spring' and Reed switches.

 

[Privateerjon]

I use the Zirbel shifter with my AXS. Flick up with the thumb to change up and flick down with the thumb to change down, simple. It's also silky smooth to operate, and wear free, due to the magnetic centring 'spring' and Reed switches.
View attachment 103776

Are you using their bars as well?

How is the wiring ran from the “blipped” unit. Ive looked at the website and couldn’t get my head around where it’s mounted

 

[nrgbod]

Are you using their bars as well?

How is the wiring ran from the “blipped” unit. Ive looked at the website and couldn’t get my head around where it’s mounted

I use the One up carbon emtb bars with internal cable routing.

The board from the std axs shifter and battery fit inside the bar end.