Once I first heard about Freedom Coasts’ 90 Diploma Pod Clamps a few weeks in the past, I most likely bought 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 straightforward 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 driving. Since then, I’ve taken just a few rides with it and am very completely happy to report that it’s a important enchancment — for me. I wouldn’t name it good, however, in my view, it’s a lot better than what SRAM is presently offering.
Cry Me a River
I’ve been complaining about SRAM’s AXS Pod Controllers for the previous couple of years. I’ve not too long ago 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 ends in the higher button on the pod being too near the grip and awkward to achieve with my thumb whereas driving. And whereas I can attain it and shift gears, it simply strikes me as a poor design. For what full SRAM Transmission drivetrains price, I really feel like I shouldn’t must accept subpar ergonomics. I do know fairly just a few other people who aren’t in love with the AXS Pods for a similar motive.
On the identical time, this doesn’t appear to be a difficulty 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 consider given how a lot I dislike them. However hey, totally different strokes for various of us. Possibly their setups are simply extra dialed than mine? Blips are additionally an choice that some riders appear to take pleasure in.
Regardless, that’s why I used to be so pumped to see Freedom Coast’s 90 Diploma Pod Clamp. This straightforward little part flips the Pod on its aspect, orienting the buttons side-by-side somewhat than prime and backside. This places them on the identical peak relative to the thumb, so that you don’t have to achieve the thumb up or right down to shift.
A Large Enchancment
Having 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 price noting that it does take a experience or two to retrain your mind to shift with the buttons on this new orientation, however I bought used to it fairly rapidly.
Is it life-changing? Properly, no, probably not, however the 90 Diploma Pod Clamp works means higher for me. Whereas comparatively minor within the grand scheme of issues, I shift very often whereas I experience, and now each single considered one of my upshifts is barely simpler and extra snug to make. Even minor modifications like this will have a huge impact on my experience expertise, and it is a important enchancment.
May it Be Higher?
Is it good? I believe it’s a lot better, however I nonetheless wouldn’t name it good. Whereas there may be lots of adjustability, I wouldn’t complain if I may alter 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. Having the ability to alter the clamp’s angle and/or rotate it on its horizontal axis can 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 companies, 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 positive are good, however I additionally acknowledge that designing a clamp round MatchMaker might 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 straightforward to put in, and it additionally seems darn good. Extra importantly, it has improved the Pod’s ergonomics and my general shifting expertise. No, it’s not good, nevertheless it’s an enormous step in the appropriate course that has already achieved wonders for my relationship with the AXS Pod Controller.
I suppose now I’ll want to search out one thing else to complain about.
