I think the hesitation for the pros is the loss or lack of ability to adjust HSC on the fly. Whilst it seems like a small matter when they are racing for seconds over 5-7 stages it obviously makes a difference. Probably more at rounds where there is a significant difference in track characteristics between stages. For mere mortals the fact that the basic HSC setting is neutral is probably good enough.
The Flight Attendant system is awesome and it makes a noticeable difference on long technical climbs where the systems shifts itself extremely quickly and always seems to be in the right mode. I have spent about a year testing the difference between the different settings and "off" on trails that I know well and ride regularly. It is long climbs like Nimby in Pemberton and Yummy Numby up to Bring on the Weekend in Whistler style of trails where one really feels and sees the difference.
Denis point about batteries is fair but it is easy to keep on top of with the notifications that come through the AXS app. I average about 20 hrs for the front suspension, 35 hrs for the shock, 175 hrs for the pedal sensor. As each AXS component battery is meant to be supplied with a charger it is easy to end up with the four chargers one 'needs' to charge a Flight Attendant bike's worth of AXS batteries simultaneously:
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/SRAMAXSOwners/permalink/3422404848039915/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/SRAMAXSOwners/permalink/3422404848039915/)
It makes such a difference in efficiency that I quite often choose to ride my Sight (155 rear/ 170 front) on trails that would seem to make more sense on my 2020 Optic (125 rear/ 150 front).
Feb. 7, 2023, 11:59 a.m. - AndrewR
I think the hesitation for the pros is the loss or lack of ability to adjust HSC on the fly. Whilst it seems like a small matter when they are racing for seconds over 5-7 stages it obviously makes a difference. Probably more at rounds where there is a significant difference in track characteristics between stages. For mere mortals the fact that the basic HSC setting is neutral is probably good enough. The Flight Attendant system is awesome and it makes a noticeable difference on long technical climbs where the systems shifts itself extremely quickly and always seems to be in the right mode. I have spent about a year testing the difference between the different settings and "off" on trails that I know well and ride regularly. It is long climbs like Nimby in Pemberton and Yummy Numby up to Bring on the Weekend in Whistler style of trails where one really feels and sees the difference. Denis point about batteries is fair but it is easy to keep on top of with the notifications that come through the AXS app. I average about 20 hrs for the front suspension, 35 hrs for the shock, 175 hrs for the pedal sensor. As each AXS component battery is meant to be supplied with a charger it is easy to end up with the four chargers one 'needs' to charge a Flight Attendant bike's worth of AXS batteries simultaneously: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/SRAMAXSOwners/permalink/3422404848039915/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/SRAMAXSOwners/permalink/3422404848039915/) It makes such a difference in efficiency that I quite often choose to ride my Sight (155 rear/ 170 front) on trails that would seem to make more sense on my 2020 Optic (125 rear/ 150 front).