Archer Components has introduced the D1x Trail Paddle Remote to pair with their aftermarket electronic shifting system. The Paddle Remote is an update to the original Standard Remote that consisted of two individual buttons on a heavier, less space efficient module. The D1x Paddle Remote has an indisputably more modern aesthetic, requires less handlebar real estate, and weighs a claimed 35g (half that of the SRAM AXS shifter, incidentally).
Archer D1x Paddle Remote
After introducing a refined, tailor-able MFR Drop Bar Remote for road and gravel cyclists, Archer are now looking to improve the ergonomics of their D1x electronic shifting system for mountain bikes. We first saw a prototype of the system at Sea Otter last year, and it looks slightly different since then–but it’s here.
What’s that when it’s at home? Briefly, it is an electronic shifting module that can be paired with pretty much any rear derailleur on the market, from 8-Speed to 12-Speed, and from Box Components to SRAM. It uses a wireless shifter pod and the D1x module to pull a short length of cable to your existing rear derailleur. Watts Dixon wrote an interesting review of the Archer system back last year, calling it “the electronic shifting system you didn’t know you needed but honestly might”).
The original shifter of the D1x system hasn’t aged terribly well, and looks a little bulky in comparison to the options we’re seeing for SRAM AXS. The new Paddle Remote remedies that, offering a much neater, more svelte solution to shifting. And, you can get it in green… or Graphite, Gold, Big Sur Blue, or Mars Red. Like the Standard Remote, this one offers the stand-out micro-adjust feature enabled for on the fly adjustments, so you can always tweak tension for perfect indexing.
Archer tells us the Paddle Remote offers “amazing ergonomics”, and great haptic shift response. It actually offers fewer mounting positions than the Standard Remote, with the choice of only two possible mounting points off the non-hinged clamp, but the fact that it is vastly reduced in size will mean there is more scope for mounting the clamp itself at a wider variety of positions along the bar. It is also MatchMaker compatible, meaning you can mount it to any SRAM brake lever so that it takes up even less space on the bar. That also will allow the rider to adjust the angle at which the Paddle Remote protrudes from the bar. Both left and right mounting options are available.
The Paddle Remote is said to be fully sealed against the elements, and features a durable, hydrophobic Cerakote surface finish. The batteries are micro USB rechargeable, with a full charge offering a claimed 50 hours of ride time.
Pricing & Availability
The Archer Components D1x Trail Shifter with Paddle Remote retails at $429 USD. Those already running the Archer D1x system can upgrade to the Paddle Remote for $199 USD.
