Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Archer D1X wireless shifting

Jump to Latest
1 - 19 of 19 Posts

bad mechanic

· Well-known member
Joined
·
9,514 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I just wanted to do a quick review of the Archer D1X wireless shifter.

At $450 it's not much cheaper than SRAM AXS GX, but I still prefer the Archer system for several reasons:

1. It works with any cassette and any number of speeds.
2. It has a get-me-home gear, so if it runs out of power it'll shift into a pre-defined gear that'll let you pedal home.
3. It can use any derailleur, which makes repairs much cheaper.
4. The app is really nice and easy to use, and setup is fast.
5. It can be set to over shift slightly to accommodate a worn cassette.
6. Excellent customer service, and they've even provided an upgrade path as their new system came out.
7. The expensive part is tucked away under the chainstay and well protected.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I'll add another one - the Archer system is probably more friendly to folks with unique disabilities and to being fitted to odd adaptive setups (which almost always involve customized parts for each person's unique challenges). I know a guy who's been on Archer stuff for years. He lost his right arm many years ago and has a prosthetic he sometimes wears for riding that clamps onto the right side of the handlebar. This means all of his controls need to be on the left. Archer actually made him a one-off shifter for the left side once. I would hope that they actually produce and sell them now since he can't be the only one who wants that functionality.
 
#7 ·
bad mechanic said:
I just wanted to do a quick review of the Archer D1X wireless shifter.

At $450 it's not much cheaper than SRAM AXS GX, but I still prefer the Archer system for several reasons:

1. It works with any cassette and any number of speeds.
2. It has a get-me-home gear, so if it runs out of power it'll shift into a pre-defined gear that'll let you pedal home.
3. It can use any derailleur, which makes repairs much cheaper.
4. The app is really nice and easy to use, and setup is fast.
5. It can be set to over shift slightly to accommodate a worn cassette.
6. Excellent customer service, and they've even provided an upgrade path as their new system came out.
7. The expensive part is tucked away under the chainstay and well protected.
Click to expand...
Damn, this sounds like it may be a worthy alternative to SRAM AXS.
=sParty
 
#9 ·
Been using this for years now, works great. I can move from bike to bike easily. Recommend buying extra mounting straps and cables if you're going to be moving it to different bikes. At the end of the day, you can't be the reliability and longevity of good old fashion cable actuated shifting. It is a good alternative to the boutique brands though.
 
#10 ·
Ever since I saw the post of a guy who adapted his non electronic/ wireless dropper seatpost into a wireless electronic seatpost, I cannot quit thinking about this. I even think about the Archer system being used to achieve this, I even contacted Archer ( didn't get a response from them)

I know this is a drivetrain forum and I'm sorry to "hijack" this post and bring up dropper posts. I just haven't heard any discussion on the Archer system for a while.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Hurricane Jeff said:
Ever since I saw the post of a guy who adapted his non electronic/ wireless dropper seatpost into a wireless electronic seatpost, I cannot quit thinking about this. I even think about the Archer system being used to achieve this, I even contacted Archer ( didn't get a response from them)

I know this is a drivetrain forum and I'm sorry to "hijack" this post and bring up dropper posts. I just haven't heard any discussion on the Archer system for a while.
Click to expand...
They're still definitely around and kicking. I get the impression a lot of their business is in the gravel market, which is dooming right now.

I've been hassling them about a wireless dropper adapter, but I don't think they currently have the resources to spare on that.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Dry Pivots said:
Been using this for years now, works great. I can move from bike to bike easily. Recommend buying extra mounting straps and cables if you're going to be moving it to different bikes. At the end of the day, you can't be the reliability and longevity of good old fashion cable actuated shifting. It is a good alternative to the boutique brands though.
Click to expand...
FYI, zip ties can be used as well.
 
#13 ·
I love the Archer system! I have two - one on my “regular” bike and one on my fat bike. (Both are the older units - Gen 1). The area I ride is rocky and rooty and I like that I can use a $50 derailleur with the system and still get exceptionally crisp shifting. I can also go 3-4 weeks on a battery charge. And from my experience, the battery charge holds well through cold, New England winter riding.

The app works well and is easy to use. The “Get You Home Gear” works as the battery expires and has helped a couple of times over the years that I’ve owned the system. I find that I need to make small shifting calibration tweaks about once a season. And that’s usually after tagging a derailleur on a rock or something…

Customer service is great, and Archer continues to make improvements and looks toward innovations - new shifter units (Gen 2), paddle remotes, AXS battery compatibility, e-bike battery interfaces, etc.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
in the trees said:
I love the Archer system! I have two - one on my “regular” bike and one on my fat bike. (Both are the older units - Gen 1). The area I ride is rocky and rooty and I like that I can use a $50 derailleur with the system and still get exceptionally crisp shifting. I can also go 3-4 weeks on a battery charge. And from my experience, the battery charge holds well through cold, New England winter riding.

The app works well and is easy to use. The “Get You Home Gear” works as the battery expires and has helped a couple of times over the years that I’ve owned the system. I find that I need to make small shifting calibration tweaks about once a season. And that’s usually after tagging a derailleur on a rock or something…

Customer service is great, and Archer continues to make improvements and looks toward innovations - new shifter units (Gen 2), paddle remotes, AXS battery compatibility, e-bike battery interfaces, etc.
Click to expand...
I have their new paddle shifter and absolutely love it.
 
#15 ·
My GF plans to move to e-shifting in Feb or Mar.
Two of my bikes are outfitted w/SRAM AXS e-shifting and I like it a lot. So much that she's sold on the idea of e-shifting.
But after reading the raves here in this thread about Archer, I'm going to suggest that she consider Archer instead of AXS.
Both systems are good, I guess.
But Archer is less expensive.
Right?
I might try Archer on another of my bikes, too.
=sParty
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Sparticus said:
My GF plans to move to e-shifting in Feb or Mar.
Two of my bikes are outfitted w/SRAM AXS e-shifting and I like it a lot. So much that she's sold on the idea of e-shifting.
But after reading the raves here in this thread about Archer, I'm going to suggest that she consider Archer instead of AXS.
Both systems are good, I guess.
But Archer is less expensive.
Right?
I might try Archer on another of my bikes, too.
=sParty
Click to expand...
It should be, though AXS GX might be close to comparable? There are several used sets in the Pink Bike classifieds currently, which would be a cheaper entry. One thing to consider is if the added flexibility of Archer is worth it for you.

I'm still loving it on my bike.
 
#18 ·
I've used the Archer D1x for a while now. My view:

  • The staff at Archer are not helpful. They're ignoring my emails now that I've spent another $300 upgrading to the Gen 2 shifter, when the Gen 1 stopped working.
  • The Gen 2 battery life is far less than the Gen 1, and the Gen 2 battery is not very secure and drops off the unit now and again.
  • Shifting is not great. There's not enough "over-reach" in the very short cable, so that sometimes it takes a couple of hits to change up to a larger sprocket.

I won't be replacing it again when this one gives up. I'll go back to cable or try the AXS
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
BigwheelsRbest said:
I've used the Archer D1x for a while now. My view:

  • The staff at Archer are not helpful. They're ignoring my emails now that I've spent another $300 upgrading to the Gen 2 shifter, when the Gen 1 stopped working.
  • The Gen 2 battery life is far less than the Gen 1, and the Gen 2 battery is not very secure and drops off the unit now and again.
  • Shifting is not great. There's not enough "over-reach" in the very short cable, so that sometimes it takes a couple of hits to change up to a larger sprocket.

I won't be replacing it again when this one gives up. I'll go back to cable or try the AXS
Click to expand...
Over reach?
 
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
About this Discussion
18 Replies
9 Participants
Last post:
bad mechanic
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion