Review SRAM AXS Pod Rocker Upgrade

[Arethustra]

Product Image:

Product name: SRAM AXS Pod Rocker Upgrade
Price paid: $22 Per Side
Score (out of 10): 9

Review: The original Pod button setup never really bothered me as much as it did some but it also never felt exactly comfortable either. The new Pod Rocker paddles are a huge improvement to a problem that I didn’t realize that I had as I couldn’t put my finger on what the issue was that had me often hitting the wrong button.

Install was a breeze but cockpit setup took some thinking and testing to get the Rockers in the right place. I use a right/down, left/up shift on the “triggers” (top button) and dropper post left/right on the bottom button.

I just took them out for a spin and would honestly give these a 10 out of 10 except that SRAM is making money off fixing a bad design choice thru this upgrade (not like it’s the first time so I don’t know why I bother to bitch about it).

Bottom line, if you run the AXS Pods, you’ll want to get a set of these (you have to buy left and right Rockers) as they really improve the ergos and shifting experience.

 

[Romney]

it is much easier to find the right button without looking!

 

[Downhillr]

Product Image: View attachment 145839
View attachment 145840

Product name: SRAM AXS Pod Rocker Upgrade
Price paid: $22 Per Side
Score (out of 10): 9

Review: The original Pod button setup never really bothered me as much as it did some but it also never felt exactly comfortable either. The new Pod Rocker paddles are a huge improvement to a problem that I didn’t realize that I had as I couldn’t put my finger on what the issue was that had me often hitting the wrong button.

View attachment 145840

Install was a breeze but cockpit setup took some thinking and testing to get the Rockers in the right place. I use a right/down, left/up shift on the “triggers” (top button) and dropper post left/right on the bottom button.

I just took them out for a spin and would honestly give these a 10 out of 10 except that SRAM is making money off fixing a bad design choice thru this upgrade (not like it’s the first time so I don’t know why I bother to bitch about it).

Bottom line, if you run the AXS Pods, you’ll want to get a set of these (you have to buy left and right Rockers) as they really improve the ergos and shifting experience.

I tried this “upgrade” (as did my son) and we both found it to be a poorly thought out design intended to mimic the earlier Sram shifters. Unless you have a freakishly long index finger the small extension tab is useless without rotating your grip position far forward to a position (look at the pics from Aruthusta), additionally the top paddle position is at angle where you’re using the top edge to depress or moving your grip to reach the textured flat portion of paddle. The bottom shift paddle is the only one in a position to be easily activated without hand movement. Everyone’s different but 2 out of 2 of us call failure here on Sram’s part.

 

[Mik3F]

Im waiting on it being released in the UK

 

[RustyIron]

I agree that the upgrade is a big improvement over the original, but I never felt it was perfect. The Transmission style shifter, though, is way better. It's just up and down, with no fancy angles. You can rotate it far enough that your thumb can hit both switches without having to alter your grip. At two Benjamins, I can't say whether it would be worth it to upgrade from a regular AXS. For that matter, I don't know if the Transmission style is compatible with the old AXS style.

 

[Downhillr]

I agree that the upgrade is a big improvement over the original, but I never felt it was perfect. The Transmission style shifter, though, is way better. It's just up and down, with no fancy angles. You can rotate it far enough that your thumb can hit both switches without having to alter your grip. At two Benjamins, I can't say whether it would be worth it to upgrade from a regular AXS. For that matter, I don't know if the Transmission style is compatible with the old AXS style.

Just a heads-up, we do find on our new T-Type shifter pod (one Ultimate, one GX) that the Ultimate has better tactile feel with choice for convex or concave rubberized button faces vs GX flat plastic button face.

 

[Downhillr]

I tried this “upgrade” (as did my son) and we both found it to be a poorly thought out design intended to mimic the earlier Sram shifters. Unless you have a freakishly long index finger the small extension tab is useless without rotating your grip position far forward to a position (look at the pics from Aruthusta), additionally the top paddle position is at angle where you’re using the top edge to depress or moving your grip to reach the textured flat portion of paddle. The bottom shift paddle is the only one in a position to be easily activated without hand movement. Everyone’s different but 2 out of 2 of us call failure here on Sram’s part.

My bad… I didn’t catch detail in post, I’m referring to the recently released switch cover “update” for the T-Type pod shifter.

 

[AlumiPro]

Found it for $18.70 (Labor Day Sale)
Worth a try.

 

[GolfChick]

Do we know when the upgrade is due in the UK? My new levo sl has the pod type and it sucks in comparison to the upgraded older generation. With the matchmaker attachment I can’t get the angle right at all and have to move my hand every time and I hate the flat design. Tempted to just buy a new pod shifter with rocker paddle and bar mount so I have more choice of position.

 

[Downhillr]

Do we know when the upgrade is due in the UK? My new levo sl has the pod type and it sucks in comparison to the upgraded older generation. With the matchmaker attachment I can’t get the angle right at all and have to move my hand every time and I hate the flat design. Tempted to just buy a new pod shifter with rocker paddle and bar mount so I have more choice of position.

Looks like it’s been available, just out of stock… had same issue USA until about 2 weeks ago.

Right - Upgrade Rocker Paddle for SRAM Pod AXS controller 11.3018.037.000

EC-SPP-A0 (right side)

www.lvr-cycles.com

 

[Arethustra]

I tried this “upgrade” (as did my son) and we both found it to be a poorly thought out design intended to mimic the earlier Sram shifters. Unless you have a freakishly long index finger the small extension tab is useless without rotating your grip position far forward to a position (look at the pics from Aruthusta), additionally the top paddle position is at angle where you’re using the top edge to depress or moving your grip to reach the textured flat portion of paddle. The bottom shift paddle is the only one in a position to be easily activated without hand movement. Everyone’s different but 2 out of 2 of us call failure here on Sram’s part.

lol, I don’t have freakishly long fingers, but I do have arms so I ride with my levers at about a 45 degree angle...I run the matchmaker setup and found that I had a ton of options but the setup I like best with these is to adjust them until the little nubby is nearly parallel to my brake lever and I can just push straight down to engage the top button on the Pod (to shift) and then I only use the paddle to engage the bottom button (dropper)...this is sooooooooooo much better than with the old Pod button format. Not sure how you were trying to set yours up but that's a bummer that they didn't work for you; they were a game changer for me.

 

[AlumiPro]

Installed mine today and I REALLY like the feel and function of it over the Ultimate pod buttons. I only ordered the left side because all the right side rocker paddles are on back order everywhere I’ve searched……once again, another waiting game for a bicycle part.

 

[AlumiPro]

Back in stock @ WWC and ordered.
Riding with one rocker pod upgrade on the left side and one Ultimate button pod on the right side, made me realize how much better the rocker upgrade is for me. Looking forward to riding with them on both sides!

 

[p3eps]

I've used all 3 variants of AXS controller so far, so thought I'd give this a try.

I recently learned that I can use a button on a POD to control my Garmin... so I've ordered a POD with right handed rocker to replace my existing POD, and plan to put my 2 button Ultimate POD as my dropper / Garmin control on the left.
Will see how it works out, and I may order a LH rocker upgrade for it too.

I've always adapted to whatever I've been given. Original AXS rocker, then the 'trigger' type one, and most recently the 2 button POD. I wouldn't say any of them have been as ergonomic as a traditional wired XX1 shifter... but being able to 'tap' rather than have to force a thumb inwards to go down a gear is a huge advantage.

Looking forward to trying the new style anyway. I don't have any specific gripe with the 2 button one position wise... other than I've had a stuck button twice in about 18 months where a tiny bit of grit gets inside. The only way to fix it is to remove the whole front of the POD (the same process as fitting the rocker), which is a PITA if on the trail. I'm hoping the rocker prevents this?

If this all works, I may have to purchase another Bike Yoke adapter (LH version) for my Magura brakes too.

 

[Zed.]

anyone found these in stock (UK)

Everytime I look theres no availability....

Rich.

 

[Jackware]

anyone found these in stock (UK)

Everytime I look theres no availability....

Rich.

Looks like a January delivery date now

Shifter Spares - Ec Axs Pod Rocker Hmi Paddle Upgrade (Including Pin, Screws, Panel)

Sram: EC AXS POD ROCKER HMI PADDLE UPGRADE LEFT/RIGHT (INCLUDING PIN, SCREWS, PANEL)

www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk

 

[p3eps]

anyone found these in stock (UK)

Everytime I look theres no availability....

Rich.

I got the whole thing (RH version) from Swinnerton. Got shipped yesterday, due to arrive on Monday. £127.50, but got £5 off with a discount code.

 

[p3eps]

Looks like a January delivery date now

Shifter Spares - Ec Axs Pod Rocker Hmi Paddle Upgrade (Including Pin, Screws, Panel)

Sram: EC AXS POD ROCKER HMI PADDLE UPGRADE LEFT/RIGHT (INCLUDING PIN, SCREWS, PANEL)

www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk

The left hand one is available soon. That's what I potentially need to turn my existing POD into a dropper / Garmin remote.
That link has the word POD in it, but the rest of the description and picture look like it's a paddle for the old style AXS controller. The new one doesn't need a pin or screw?
I assume by the crazy date that it's the correct thing though??

 

[Arethustra]

That's correct, the new pod rocker just clips on.

 

[Emailsucks98]

i found a RH one locally, 1-2 weeks ago. It's been awesome- I never got on with any of the previous AXS shifter ergonomics, this is much better. After a few rides I mostly quit using the large textured "button" surfaces, now I just use my thumb/index finger on the nub.

SRAM Pod Rocker Paddle Upgrade - Right

If you have a SRAM AXS Pod Controller and don't enjoy the "double button" feeling, and preferred the rocker paddle of the original AXS controller, you can upgrade your Pod controller to a rocker paddle with this upgrade kit. AXS Pod Rocker HMI Paddle Upgrade (Including Pin, Screws, Panel) Right...

thelostco.com

 

[glixerd]

Pricey, but there are also custom 3D options also available.

Not tried them myself, but i am tempted

Leap Components - Homepage

High End Bicycle Components, 3D printed in Carbon filled Nylon. ✔️Better ergonomics - ✔️Extremely light weight - ✔️Personalized look

leapcomponents.com

 

[p3eps]

Here’s my mini review… some of this is a repeat of my post above prior to receiving it.

I’ve had AXS shifting since January 2020… so almost 5 years. In that time, I’ve never fully embraced the shifters. I love the simple button press rather than having to push an old school shifter in, love the seamless setup, and love never having to adjust it. I’m also a tech geek, and love the clean look on the bars.
Until the Transmission, I’d have said the shifting on my wired Eagle XX1 on my Stumpjumper was actually better / crisper than the XX1 AXS… now it’s probably on par.

Anyway, back in 2020, there was only one type of AXS shifter - which was a rocker. It took a bit of getting used to, but it was ok. My shifter died, and was returned to SRAM under warranty. When it came back, it had the new ‘rocker paddle’ on it, which was meant to be more like a traditional shifter.
Despite preferring the wired XX1, I actually bought another AXS one for my Stumpjumper as I used it on a turbo trainer through winter. Being able to use micro adjust to find the correct spot on the Kickr in 2 seconds made it a sacrifice I was prepared to make. It has the original paddle, so I used to swap back and forth between the 2 variants. I never really ‘gelled’ with either.

In 2023, SRAM released the new Transmission, and with that came the POD. The 2 button setup became second nature, however getting the POD to feel comfortable was almost impossible. I ended up with a Magura matchmaker and BikeYoke combo - which was the best I could get. It still always felt like I was stretching to find the shifter… but it worked well. The downside to the POD is that on 2 occasions I’ve found a button sticks, and is nearly impossible to press. The only solution is to remove the face of the POD (not just the button) by taking it off its clamp. Not very convenient when on the trail.

This week, I got the newest shifter - the POD rocker. Before even riding the bike, it felt like a much better design. I’ve now been for 3 rides, and I’d say I’m actually happier with it than my old XX1 wired shifter. It took a couple of minor on trail adjustments to find the optimum position, but I now feel that with my Magura matchmaker and BikeYoke POD adapter - I’ve found it. I’ve got it in a place where it feels natural, and I don’t need to stretch to reach. I’m also pressing it properly rather than catching the edge of one of the buttons. I also can use the finger trigger if I’m pelting down a hill to step up a gear without loosening my grip… or use it entirely with the thumb if I’m not needing to hold on as tight.

I’ve just ordered a left hand POD rocker (switch only) to put on my left side to control my AXS dropper. I feel that the POD rocker ‘down’ switch is much the same size as the default Reverb switch. As a Garmin user, I can program the ‘up’ button on this to cycle through my screens. I’ve also ordered another BikeYoke adapter - this time in the left hand variant… although I think they’re both the same, but with the screw at the either side. Thankfully the stock of the LH POD rocker switches seems to be easier to get that the RH ones… so hopefully by next weekend I’ll have that sorted.

Will have to wait and see what sort of controller SRAM release with the new Reverb AXS V2 that’s reportedly due out soon!

POD rocker on the bike with the BikeYoke and Magura matchmaker combo.

POD rocker vs original 2 button POD.

Correctly placed - my thumb sits right in the middle of the rocker without any stretching. A pretty natural position when I lower my thumb.

Index finger reaches the ‘trigger’ without moving my hand position too. Perfect!