SRAM Wireless Blips are independent, wireless buttons that control AXS derailleurs and rumor has it, will soon be able to use to activate the RockShox Reverb AXS seatpost, as well as shifting in AXS systems.
New SRAM Wireless Blips Mini Buttons hit the market to add a whole new world of shifting possibilities to the AXS ecosystem. They have been initially designed for triathletes, who can take advantage of them by installing them at any point on their complex handlebars. But it works for road, mountain derailleurs and hopefully soon also for RockShox Reverb dropper posts.
SRAM Wireless Blips are stand-alone, fully wireless buttons that, via Bluetooth connectivity, serve as shifters for the SRAM Rival, RED and Force AXS systems. Thanks to their small dimensions they can be installed in previously unthinkable places.
There have been several Blips controls in the past that were wired and we aren’t giving up on those. They work and on drop bars the wires are pretty well hidden. These SRAM Wireless Blips are completely wireless which has a major appeal to flat bars and on bars were there is no tape.
The wireless Blips do not have a battery charging port or any type of removable battery. Yes, these are single-use devices, recyclable like other electronic elements, but we cannot recharge them in any way.
Of course, its autonomy is enormous. An average duration of 7 years of use has been calculated. If you think about it, few electronic components reach that useful life. Especially on an MTB. In fact, one could even argue that they are more ecological in this way than offering the possibility of changing a theoretical internal button-type battery. While with this system we will use the SRAM Wireless Blips until the end of their battery life, it is common that with coin-type batteries, we replace them long before they are completely depleted. For simple safety so we don’t get left behind. If a SRAM Wireless Blips lasts 7 years on average, it is very likely that we would spend more individual batteries if they were replaceable. Or, at the very least, that’s a theory in defense of that system with no reload option.
Technically, the SRAM Wireless Blips switches are IPX7 certified, which makes them water resistant. To configure them we need a BlipBox or any AXS device with a control unit but, once the pairing is done, it is not necessary to have that BlipBox on the bike, so we have independent and wireless gear controls. A big improvement over BlipBox dependent Blips.
For now they only work from click to click. Each click makes a change, either to raise or lower pinions. But SRAM has assured that they will soon have a software update that will allow them to be compatible with the RockShox Reverb AXS dropper posts, supporting the longer clicks that that system needs.
The price of a kit of 2 SRAM Wireless Blips is north of $100 and they will go on sale in April. Read more SRAM reviews and news here.