LONG TERMERS

Countless hours on the trails make this the ultimate test of performance as well as reliability

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BEN’S KONA PROCESS 134 SUPREME

£9,999 / 29in / kon a world.com

MONTH 11: A wonky hanger forces Ben to adjust SRAM's wireless AXS gears, but the process proves a cinch

THE RIDER

BEN SMITH

Position Art editor

Mostly rides Forest of Dean

Height 5ft Sin

Weight 76kg

THE BIKE

I always think it's a sign of a good component if you don't need to mention it during these monthly long-termer updates. Eleven months in, however, and I finally have cause to talk about the wireless SRAM AXS gears.

The XX1 AXS drivetrain fitted to the Kona is SRAM's top-end electronic groupset and until now it has performed faultlessly. The only interaction I've had with it being occasional battery charges. Over the last few rides, however, it's had me cursing electronics - the shifting has gone out of whack and caused the chain to dance around on the cassette in several of the gears.