Fox Transfer Neo Review | GearJunkie Tested

The FOX Transfer Neo is the iconic brand’s first entry into the wireless dropper post market. It ups the ante with more drop, the latest tech, and excellent performance — for a price.

The Neo is based on the same design as the latest version of the cable-actuated Transfer and has FOX’s signature Kashima-gold bling. With a 200mm length option and a shorter stack height, it also offers more drop and easier fitment than its main wireless competitor. 

With this dropper, FOX debuted its Neo wireless system, which it claims is “the fastest wireless protocol in cycling.” At $859, it is orders of magnitude more expensive than cable-actuated posts but comparable to other wireless options.

Over the past 3 months, I tested the FOX Transfer Neo for 65 hours and 1,082 actuations — it keeps track. I’ve had ample opportunity to see how it performs and if it’s worth the hefty price tag. 

In short: FOX may have shown up late to the wireless game, but it came to win. While the Transfer Neo’s looks may be polarizing, I feel the flawless performance more than makes up for it. Yes, it’s very expensive, and no, you don’t need it. But if you’ve got money to burn, the Transfer Neo sets a new standard and is arguably the best dropper post money can buy. 

In the market for a dropper post? You can read about the latest and greatest options in our comprehensive guide to the best dropper posts.

Fox Transfer Neo Review

It’s been 6 years since SRAM/RockShox launched the Reverb AXS and kicked off the wireless MTB component revolution in earnest. That model quickly became the benchmark for wireless droppers and has had little competition until recently. 

I’ve ridden with the Reverb AXS on many different test bikes over the years and have been generally impressed by its performance — even if I never thought it was perfect. So, I was very excited to try the latest option from Fox to see how it compared. 

I received the Transfer Neo in October and promptly mounted it on my everyday trail bike. It’s winter here in Reno, Nev., so I’ve spent plenty of hours on the trainer and gravel bike. But, according to the Fox Bike app, I’ve logged 65 hours of ride time and 1,082 actuations of the post so far.

What’s in the Box?

The Transfer Neo comes in a long rectangular box containing the post and a smaller box with the other parts. The smaller box contains the wireless remote, battery, battery charger, USB-C charging cord, and three remote mount options. Numerous scannable QR codes prompt you to download the FOX Bike app.

FOX also includes a printed instruction manual and a small tube of stanchion grease. Everything was clearly labeled and neatly packaged with virtually no plastic.

Installation

One of the most obvious benefits of wireless droppers is ease of installation, and the Transfer Neo was as easy as it gets. With no cable or housing to route through the frame, it only took about 10 minutes. In fact, it took me longer to remove the old post, cable, housing, and remote than it did to install the Neo.

While it isn’t necessary to set up or use the post, I also downloaded the FOX Bike app. Downloading the app and setting up an account only took a couple of minutes. Then, I let the app guide me through the pairing process, which involved pushing buttons on the post and remote. Beyond the initial wireless pairing, I found the app useful in other ways.

After pairing the remote and post, I just had to slide the post into the seat tube and attach the remote to the handlebar. Fox includes the three most popular mounting options with the post, including Shimano I-spec EV, SRAM Matchmaker, and a standard 22.2mm bar clamp.

For riders using Shimano or SRAM brakes — which is most people — this ensures compatibility and a clean cockpit. It also means you won’t accidentally order the wrong one or need to shell out even more cash for an adapter. Even if you switch bikes or brake brands down the line, you’ll have a mount that will work.

Of course, I also had to attach my saddle. With the familiar two-bolt clamp — same as the cable-actuated Transfer — this was quick and easy. Like the non-electric Transfer, you can also adjust the air pressure and return speed of the Neo. A Schrader valve under the saddle clamp can be adjusted between 275 and 325 psi to match your preference.

FOX Transfer Neo Fitment

In terms of fitment, the Transfer Neo’s design and sizing options address some of the main complaints about the current RockShox Reverb AXS. One of those is drop length. While the Reverb tops out at 170 mm, the Transfer Neo goes up to 200 mm. This makes it one of the longest wireless options on the market and adds appeal to those with long legs, like me. 

In addition to the 200mm length, the Transfer Neo comes in 100, 125, 150, and 175 mm of drop. All three seatpost diameters — 30.9, 31.6, and 34.9 mm — are covered, but the 100mm length only comes in 30.9 and 31.6 mm. 

With the battery and controller integrated around the post’s collar, Fox was able to keep the stack height fairly low. At 47 mm, it is 11 mm taller than the nonelectric Transfer, but it is a fair bit shorter than the Reverb AXS’s 65mm stack. This should theoretically make it easier for some riders to fit a longer post and maximize drop length, comparatively speaking.

The Transfer Neo requires a bit more seat tube real estate than most mechanical droppers. This is due in part to the position of the motor at the base of the post, which adds 37.4 mm to the insertion depth and overall length. That said, the max insertion depth of 322.6 mm for my 31.6 x 200mm post is nearly identical to that of the 210mm Transfer. But that post has 10 mm of additional travel. 

Unlike its cable-actuated counterpart, the Transfer Neo does not have adjustable travel. This means that riders cannot reduce the post’s travel to optimize fit. What you get is what you get. While the stack height is reasonable, the longer insertion depth could present fit challenges on some frames. It’s always worth double-checking insertion depths and doing the calculations to ensure that it will fit your bike.

The FOX Transfer Neo on the Trail

For $859, you’d be right to expect perfection. Fortunately, the Transfer Neo’s on-trail performance was fantastic. Compression and extension were remarkably smooth, with a quick return and reliable operation at all times. The ergonomics of FOX’s wireless remote and the speed of actuation were also highlights.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time riding with the latest version of the non-electric Transfer. In some ways, the Neo performed so similarly that I’d have a hard time telling them apart. It dropped easily under my weight with a slightly damped feel at the end of its travel that resisted harsh bottoms outs. It extended very quickly with an audible “thunk” at the top. 

Unlike previous versions of Transfer droppers, the Neo hasn’t had any side-to-side play. My test post never developed any sag, and it continues to work as smoothly after 1,000 actuations as it did the day I put it on my bike.

One of my favorite aspects of the Transfer Neo was the remote. It has the familiar shape and position of most cable-actuated remote levers. Essentially, it is a lever-shaped button, and it only needs to move a couple of millimeters to actuate the post. Pressing it took almost zero effort. Not that pushing mechanical post remotes is hard, but this was so much easier in comparison. 

One of FOX’s big claims about the Neo system is its wireless transmission speed. It has been dubbed the “fastest wireless protocol in cycling.” Supposedly, it is 100x faster than Bluetooth and 20x faster than the direct competition — presumably SRAM’s AXS. They say this equates to 26 milliseconds between pressing the remote and actuating the post.

Now, I’ve always considered the Reverb AXS to be quick and easy to actuate. But that was comparing it to cable-actuated posts. Unscientifically, I can say the Transfer Neo was lightning-fast. The response was basically instantaneous, with no discernable lag whatsoever. 

Was it faster than AXS? It seemed that way to me. But without specialized equipment, it would be very hard to quantify how much faster it really is.

With mechanical dropper posts, I’m already prone to adjusting my saddle height at every undulation on the trail. The Transfer Neo’s transmission speed — along with the shape and short throw of the lever — made it easier than ever to make micro-adjustments to saddle height.

Battery Life

Like any wireless component, the Transfer Neo has batteries — one for the post and one for the remote. The wireless remote uses a fairly standard CR2032 coin-cell battery. FOX says it should last around 8 months before needing to be replaced. These batteries are inexpensive and easy to find. If the remote battery dies on a ride, the post can be manually adjusted by pressing and holding the pairing button on the post.

The post itself uses a proprietary rechargeable lithium battery. FOX claims this battery lasts for around 30 hours of ride time. That seemed accurate, as I charged mine twice for the 65 hours of riding logged in the FOX Bike app. Most people should be able to go 2 to 3 weeks between charges.

Colored LEDs on the controller/battery mount provide a visual reference of the battery charge when the battery is inserted. Otherwise, the FOX Bike app monitors the battery life of the primary and remote batteries. I found it easiest to check the battery status through the app.

Charging the fully depleted battery took approximately 1.5 hours and was very straightforward using the included charger and USB-C cord.

FOX Bike App

The Transfer Neo pairs with the FOX Bike app. While the app isn’t necessary to use the Transfer Neo, FOX says it is highly recommended. The app is required to get the latest firmware updates, and it has some other useful functions and features. 

I found the FOX Bike app to be straightforward and well-designed. It was easy to navigate and intuitive to use. In addition to the Transfer seatpost, the new Live Valve Neo shocks can also be paired with the app for tuning, battery monitoring, and more.

In addition to monitoring battery life, the app keeps track of ride time and the number of post-actuations. This made it easy to know when I’d reached the basic dust wiper service at 1,000 actuations. It’ll take a while, but it should be very obvious when I’ve reached the recommended factory service interval of 8,000 actuations.

The Transfer Neo’s Transport and Bike Park modes are also accessed through the app. Transport mode turns off the post controller so that it doesn’t “shake to wake” while in transit. I’ve been toggling the post into Transport mode for longer drives, and it has helped conserve battery life. One could also remove the battery to achieve the same result.

Bike Park mode sounded pretty odd to me initially. After using the Transfer Neo for a bit, it made more sense. This mode disables the remote lever, so you don’t accidentally raise the post when you really don’t want to. Given how sensitive and responsive the remote is, even a light tap from the thumb actuated the post. If I was ripping downhill laps all day, I’d be inclined to turn this mode on.

Service

Compared to most dropper posts, the Transfer Neo has a pretty long service interval. Most brands have suggested ride time intervals — like 50 or 100 hours — to loosely determine when to service your post. The FOX Bike app’s ability to count actuations make it more precise and easy to know when it’s time for a rebuild.

Fox recommends cleaning and lubing under the dust wiper every 1,000 actuations. For me, that was around 60 hours of riding, but it will vary depending on your dropper usage. This procedure was simple enough to do at home, and FOX includes a small tube of Slick Honey lube with the post. 

FOX recommends a factory service at 8,000 actuations. Based on my rate of usage, that should be around 480 hours of riding. That’s a really long time. You can also schedule your factory service through the app. It even shows you how much it will cost — currently $115.

Appearance

The majority of negative comments I’ve seen about the Transfer Neo have been related to its appearance. The battery and controller are blocky and stick out a bit at the collar. The interruption of the otherwise relatively straight line of the seatpost catches the eye, and there’s no way around it. I’ll admit that I was a bit put off by the unique looks at first.

With wireless dropper posts, the battery and electronics need to go somewhere. Until brands can develop a way to house them internally, those parts will end up on the outside of the post. 

While aesthetically polarizing, FOX’s decision to position them at the seat collar has a couple of benefits. It allows for a lower stack height and provides more tire clearance when full-suspension bikes are at maximum travel.

This is compared to the Reverb AXS, which has the motor and battery at the back of the post’s head. Not only is that post’s stack height taller, but the battery has been known to conflict with rear tires on some frames.

I’ve grown used to it, but the Reverb AXS isn’t exactly the most attractive thing in the world, either. I suppose it looks a little more traditional than the Transfer, but the added bulk at the top of the post is hard to ignore. See anything enough times, though, and it becomes normal.

The same goes for the Transfer Neo. By the second or third test ride, I stopped noticing it and haven’t given it another thought since. Yeah, it looks different, but it works so well that I couldn’t care less. Still, I can see how people who are very particular about their bike’s appearance might be turned off by it.

Weight

Wireless dropper posts are one component where spending more comes with a weight penalty. The Transfer Neo is no lightweight. I put my 31.6 x 200mm test post, remote, and the I-spec adapter on the scale to verify the weight. 

The post weighs 688 g, which is a respectable 3.44 g/mm travel. The lever weighs 45 g, and the I-spec adapter adds another 16 g. The total system weight is 749 g. 

For comparison, that’s only 19 g heavier than the 170 mm Reverb AXS and remote, which has 30mm less travel. So, while it may not massively undercut its primary wireless competition, it is competitive. Compared to cable-actuated droppers of the same size, however, the Transfer Neo is a heavyweight. 

On the same scale, the 31.6 x 200mm Wolf Tooth Resolve rev. 2 weighs 604 g (post and remote lever). That’s 145 g lighter, and it sells for less than half the price. Similarly, the 31.6 x 213 mm Bike Yoke Revive 3.0 weighs 665 g (post and remote lever). That’s 84 g lighter with 13 mm more travel and, again, less than half the price. For both of these examples, you’ll need to add a few grams for the cable and housing, but they’ll still be lighter than wireless posts.

FOX Transfer Neo: How Does It Compare?

I’ve already drawn many comparisons to the RockShox Reverb AXS. Given its history and popularity, the Reverb is the benchmark wireless dropper. It’s also a product that I’ve used many times and am quite familiar with. I haven’t used the KS LEV Circuit, Magura Vyron, or TranzX EDP01, so I can’t comment on their performance. That said, I haven’t really heard any glowing reviews of any of them, either.

So, which is better? It depends. For starters, the Transfer Neo appealed more to me simply because it is 200 mm long. I also preferred the Neo’s shorter stack height, which could come in handy if I was trying to squeeze the most drop possible on a frame. 

I was also a huge fan of the Transfer Neo’s remote and super-quick actuation. Not that using other wireless or mechanical droppers was challenging or too slow, but the Neo’s responsiveness was in a league of its own.

Insertion length was basically a draw in my eyes, as both posts are on the longer side. Weight is roughly even — both are heavier than most of the cable-actuated competition. Cost is also nearly identical, with the $859 price of the Transfer Neo undercutting the Reverb AXS by just $2.

One thing the Reverb has going for it is integration with other components in the AXS ecosystem — like Flight Attendant suspension. On the Yeti ASR that I tested, the dropper and the suspension settings could both be controlled from the same AXS Pod.

Still, the Transfer Neo’s 200mm length, remote design, super-quick actuation, and perfect performance made it my pick. To me, it’s the new benchmark for wireless droppers. The Reverb AXS is long overdue for an update, however, so we’ll see how long that holds true.

Who’s It For?

The argument for wireless dropper posts is a tenuous one. Like other electronic mountain bike components, no one needs a wireless dropper — not when cable-actuated models work really well, are lighter, more “normal-looking,” and significantly less expensive. Sure, wireless droppers are fancy and cool, but they are a niche product and a total splurge. 

Many people want wireless droppers, and I think having more options to choose from is a great thing for those riders. Competition also drives innovation, and that’s apparent with the Transfer Neo. FOX’s Neo wireless system is incredibly quick, app integration is solid, and the post just worked really well.

It may be a bit heavier, longer, and less aesthetically pleasing than most cable-actuated options. But the Transfer Neo’s ease of actuation, responsiveness, and consistency were truly top-notch. Beyond the weight penalty, this is the best dropper post that I’ve ever used.

Of course, $859 is a lot to pay when more affordable options weigh less and perform the same function. Clearly, the FOX Transfer Neo won’t be for everyone. But, if you can afford it, I doubt you’ll be disappointed by its performance, and you’ll get used to the way it looks.