My wife got new shoes and insoles and a more rearward cleat position, so we needed to move from 150mm Reverb AXS dropper to a 125mm.
I bought an new/open-box 2025 Reverb AXS Dropper (125mm) via PinkBike., and my wife has reported that sometimes it does a “squishy thing” that lasts for more than a few minutes while she’s out on her longer solo rides. We’ve both occasionally experienced the known squish on our 2020 model Reverb AXS droppers and have had no issue fixing it with the “turn it upside down” method. On those older models, it was never intermittent. Once it started it just got worse until we fixed it, and then it would be good for months or years of riding again.
On the new dropper, the squish issue is intermittent. Is this a setting that is accidentally being toggled on and off? She can’t figure out when or why it’s happening but thinks it may be related to the ‘way’ she’s pushing the dropper activation button or ‘when’ she’s releasing it (as in, if legs are tired and she doesn’t stand all the way up before releasing the “raise dropper” press).
The big issue is: I can’t replicate it. Is intermittent squishiness of the 2025 Reverb AXS a known issue? … and does it have a fix, if so?
She starts Leadville MTB 100 in the silver corral in less than a week! I’d love for her not to have any mechanical surprises. I’m at a loss because I can’t replicate it and she can’t replicate it in front of me. If it’s anything like the squish issues we’ve had with our older models, it can be super fatiguing because you end up having to ride while supporting part of your weight. She’s using the dropper at Leadville because since learning how to use it, she’s started taking descent QOMs and feels far more comfy descending with it down. (as I think anyone would, who understands how to corner well!)
What I don’t need 
- “throw your Reverb AXS in the bin and get a real dropper”
- “You don’t need a dropper at Leadville.”
We’ve considered equipment options and now probably isn’t the time for me to be installing new equipment on her bike unless it’s remarkably straightforward for both me (mechanic) and her (rider).
What I’ll be very grateful for:
- Any insight as to what she’s experiencing
- How to fix it.
- Other resources related to issues that sound like what she’s experiencing.
I’ve watched all the SRAM vids to no avail. I have not yet read the manual but will be doing that while I wait for replies here!
Thanks as always to the awesome TrainerRoad community! Appreciate any help in advance.