SRAM’s wireless AXS Transmission drivetrains are becoming increasingly common. Whether on complete builds or as an aftermarket upgrade, more and more riders are forgoing the cables in favor of wireless shifting. While Transmission’s shifting performance and durability are generally held in high regard, one aspect of these wireless shifting systems has proven to be somewhat polarizing. The AXS Pod Controllers.
It’s not that the Pods don’t work; they work fine, but many riders find the ergonomics to be subpar, including me. With limited adjustability, I’ve found it nearly impossible to set up the Pods in a way that I would consider to be perfect. No matter what, I find that I always need to reposition my hand or reach with my thumb in an awkward way to press the upper button. I think it’s a bad design that detracts from an otherwise well-designed system, and for the price, I think everything about AXS Transmission drivetrains should be absolutely perfect.
I’ve been patiently waiting for SRAM to develop something new— aside from the Pod Rocker Paddle — or at least provide a more adjustable clamp to remedy the situation. But I’m still waiting and complaining about the Pod Controllers on every AXS-equipped mountain bike I ride. That’s why I was excited to see Freedom Coast’s 90-Degree Pod Clamp. Finally, someone else took it into their own hands to develop a solution to this ongoing problem.
Freedom Coast is probably best known for its fork mounts, which are a popular choice for transporting bikes in truck bed setups and custom van builds. Turns out, the brand also makes a variety of CNC’d bike components, like brake levers, brake adapters, and the new 90-Degree Pod Clamp.
The 90-Degree Pod Clamp is a fairly simple concept and design. The folks at Freedom Coast basically just made an AXS Pod Controller bar clamp with a 90-degree bend in it. In this configuration, the Pod is turned on its side, hanging down out of the clamp with the buttons side-by-side — as opposed to one above the other. This orientation makes it so that both buttons are equally accessible with the thumb, instead of the upper one being awkwardly close to the handlebar.
The reversible clamp can be positioned on either side of the bar in any number of ways, with the ability to rotate it on the bar and rotate the Pod in the clamp to optimize its ergonomics to your liking. The US-made aluminum clamp currently comes in eight anodized colors so you can match it with other anodized parts on your bike or your Freedom Coast brake levers. The Pod Clamps also come with Better Bolts titanium hardware in your choice of five colors.
Freedom Coast 90 Degree Pod Clamp: Pricing, Options, and Availability
- MSRP: $54
- Pod Clamp Colors: Champagne Gold, Purple, Green, Silver, Black, Blue, Red, Orange (Stealth Grey is also listed but not currently available)
- Titanium Bolt Colors: Oil Slick, Gold, Black, Silver, Copper.
Freedom Coast’s new 90-Degree Pod Clamps are available now. You can learn more about them and everything else the brand makes — and purchase them — on the Freedom Coast website.
