SRAM’s wi-fi AXS Transmission drivetrains have gotten more and more widespread. Whether or not on full builds or as an aftermarket improve, increasingly more riders are forgoing the cables in favor of wi-fi shifting. Whereas Transmission’s shifting efficiency and sturdiness are typically held in excessive regard, one facet of those wi-fi shifting methods has confirmed to be considerably polarizing. The AXS Pod Controllers.
It’s not that the Pods don’t work; they work superb, however many riders discover the ergonomics to be subpar, together with me. With restricted adjustability, I’ve discovered it almost not possible to arrange the Pods in a means that I’d contemplate to be good. It doesn’t matter what, I discover that I at all times have to reposition my hand or attain with my thumb in a clumsy technique to press the higher button. I feel it’s a nasty design that detracts from an in any other case well-designed system, and for the worth, I feel the whole lot about AXS Transmission drivetrains needs to be completely good.
I’ve been patiently ready for SRAM to develop one thing new— except for the Pod Rocker Paddle — or at the very least present a extra adjustable clamp to treatment the scenario. However I’m nonetheless ready and complaining concerning the Pod Controllers on each AXS-equipped mountain bike I trip. That’s why I used to be excited to see Freedom Coast’s 90-Diploma Pod Clamp. Lastly, another person took it into their very own arms to develop an answer to this ongoing downside.
Freedom Coast might be greatest recognized for its fork mounts, that are a preferred selection for transporting bikes in truck mattress setups and customized van builds. Seems, the model additionally makes quite a lot of CNC’d bike elements, like brake levers, brake adapters, and the brand new 90-Diploma Pod Clamp.
The 90-Diploma Pod Clamp is a reasonably easy idea and design. The parents at Freedom Coast principally simply made an AXS Pod Controller bar clamp with a 90-degree bend in it. On this configuration, the Pod is turned on its facet, hanging down out of the clamp with the buttons side-by-side — versus one above the opposite. This orientation makes it in order that each buttons are equally accessible with the thumb, as an alternative of the higher one being awkwardly near the handlebar.
The reversible clamp may be positioned on both facet of the bar in any variety of methods, with the flexibility to rotate it on the bar and rotate the Pod within the clamp to optimize its ergonomics to your liking. The US-made aluminum clamp presently is available in eight anodized colours so you possibly can match it with different anodized elements in your bike or your Freedom Coast brake levers. The Pod Clamps additionally include Higher Bolts titanium {hardware} in your selection of 5 colours.
Freedom Coast 90 Diploma Pod Clamp: Pricing, Choices, and Availability
- MSRP: $54
- Pod Clamp Colours: Champagne Gold, Purple, Inexperienced, Silver, Black, Blue, Pink, Orange (Stealth Gray can also be listed however not presently out there)
- Titanium Bolt Colours: Oil Slick, Gold, Black, Silver, Copper.
Freedom Coast’s new 90-Diploma Pod Clamps can be found now. You possibly can study extra about them and the whole lot else the model makes — and buy them — on the Freedom Coast web site.