Once I first heard about Freedom Coasts’ 90 Diploma Pod Clamps a few weeks in the past, I in all probability acquired extra excited than I ought to have. However as somebody who has whined concerning the ergonomics of the AXS Pod Controllers for the previous couple of years, this easy however novel design was music to my ears.
I promptly positioned an order. It arrived simply a few days later, and it instantly changed the inventory Matchmaker Pod Clamp on the Yeti LTe eMTB that I’ve been using. Since then, I’ve taken a number of rides with it and am very completely happy to report that it’s a vital enchancment — for me. I wouldn’t name it excellent, however, for my part, it’s significantly better than what SRAM is at present offering.
Cry Me a River
I’ve been complaining about SRAM’s AXS Pod Controllers for the previous couple of years. I’ve just lately come to appreciate that it isn’t the Pod itself that I dislike. As an alternative, it’s the clamp that causes me issues. The size, angle, and restricted adjustability simply don’t work for me. Irrespective of how a lot I’ve tried, I’ve by no means discovered an ideal place for the Pod utilizing SRAM’s inventory clamps.
It leads to the higher button on the pod being too near the grip and awkward to achieve with my thumb whereas using. And whereas I can attain it and shift gears, it simply strikes me as a poor design. For what full SRAM Transmission drivetrains value, I really feel like I shouldn’t must accept subpar ergonomics. I do know fairly a number of people who aren’t in love with the AXS Pods for a similar purpose.
On the similar time, this doesn’t appear to be a problem for everybody. I do know simply as many individuals who don’t have any points with the ergonomics of the Pods, which I discover laborious to imagine given how a lot I dislike them. However hey, completely different strokes for various people. Perhaps their setups are simply extra dialed than mine? Blips are additionally an possibility that some riders appear to get pleasure from.
Regardless, that’s why I used to be so pumped to see Freedom Coast’s 90 Diploma Pod Clamp. This easy little part flips the Pod on its aspect, orienting the buttons side-by-side somewhat than high and backside. This places them on the similar peak relative to the thumb, so that you don’t have to achieve the thumb up or all the way down to shift.
A Massive Enchancment
With the ability to reverse the orientation of the clamp, rotate it on the bar, and rotate the Pod (on its vertical axis) within the clamp permits for an enormous vary of changes to dial it in to your preferences. I had no points getting it right into a place that made it a lot simpler and extra snug to achieve each buttons. As an alternative of an ungainly attain as much as the higher button with my thumb, they’re proper subsequent to one another and equally accessible. It’s value noting that it does take a journey or two to retrain your mind to shift with the buttons on this new orientation, however I acquired used to it fairly rapidly.
Is it life-changing? Properly, no, probably not, however the 90 Diploma Pod Clamp works manner higher for me. Whereas comparatively minor within the grand scheme of issues, I shift very often whereas I journey, and now each single one in every of my upshifts is barely simpler and extra snug to make. Even minor adjustments like this may have a big effect on my journey expertise, and it is a vital enchancment.
May it Be Higher?
Is it excellent? I feel it’s significantly better, however I nonetheless wouldn’t name it excellent. Whereas there may be quite a lot of adjustability, I wouldn’t complain if I may regulate it much more. Because it stands, the 90-degree angle is mounted, clearly, and you can also’t rotate the a part of the clamp that holds the pod on its horizontal axis. With the ability to regulate the clamp’s angle and/or rotate it on its horizontal axis could be actually game-changing. A Pod Clamp with a ball joint is what I’m imagining, so you may have virtually limitless angle and rotational adjustability. If anybody wants my armchair design providers, be at liberty to contact me…
I suppose it might even be good in the event that they made a MatchMaker-compatible model. Clear cockpits certain are good, however I additionally acknowledge that designing a clamp round MatchMaker can also put limitations on its adjustability in comparison with the bar clamp. And, at $54, it’s a spendy little piece of metallic.
My Takeaway
For my preferences, the Freedom Coast 90 Diploma Pod Clamp is a dramatic enchancment over the inventory clamps offered by SRAM. It’s tremendous light-weight, it’s simple to put in, and it additionally appears darn good. Extra importantly, it has improved the Pod’s ergonomics and my total shifting expertise. No, it’s not excellent, nevertheless it’s an enormous step in the suitable path that has already executed wonders for my relationship with the AXS Pod Controller.
I suppose now I’ll want to seek out one thing else to complain about.
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