Microshift SWORD // THE BUDGET ALTERNATIVE to Shimano GRX??
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- čas přidán 19. 08. 2023
- Sword Components now available!
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Review of the Microshift Sword gravel groupset. How good is it? Is it really the Shimano GRX killer? ... Or slayer..? Really excited for this one.
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I love all of this. Thank God a company is listening to what people want. I have no desire for electronic shifting. I saw Russ' video about this a couple weeks ago. The one thing I cannot find is the drop date. I've seen prices which aren't bad. Thanks for the video.
Oh cool, I haven’t even seen prices yet. No idea when they’ll be available to consumers either
I reached out to microshift support and they said it should be available around September
Weird. I posted a link to a bike radar post with the prices and it looks like it got deleted?
Haha. They probably haven’t finalized it yet.
September timeframe is encouraging (if they stick with that). I read an article that stated it was coming in Oct/Nov, but that may have been for the EU/UK markets.
Even as someone headed to electronic shifting next, I hugely appreciate both the existence and offerings of microSHIFT and the fact that you and Russ talk about these more reasonably priced options with some frequency. The cycling industry needs more low-end and mid-range stuff to combat the onslaught of all the stuff that costs $thousands. Not everyone can or wants to spend a ton of money, and if quality is obtainable for less, it's important that it remain available.
Heck, I shudder at the very thought of locking up my Trek Checkpoint SL 5 outside a grocery store for even a minute, but wouldn't nearly as much at doing so with a microSHIFT equipped Poseidon. In some ways that would make it a significantly more useful bike than my precious Checkpoint.
And in general it's all too easy to make cycling an extremely expensive activity and sport, which only raises the barrier to entry.
Thanks for doing this genuinely important work! ❤
Thanks for this, Nolan. FWIW, you don't sound like a salesman for microSHIFT to me. I think microSHIFT is legitimately filling an offerings gap left by Shimano and SRAM. I want to have the option to pair a good quality and relatively low cost mechanical groupset with a set of high quality mechanical disc brakes like Paul Klampers or Growtac Equals. I'm fairly certain that a lot of avid non-competitive cyclists feel the same way. We want serviceable groupsets, we know that drivetrain components wear and need replacing every so often and would rather not be on the hook to replace upper end expensive (and sometime non-serviceable electronic) Shimano and SRAM groupset components, and we know that quality mechanical disc brakes perform very well and provide enough stopping power for the vast majority of bikes (with perhaps the exception of competitive road cycling gravity mountain biking) without the faff of hydraulic brake fluid. We don't want to think of groupsets in terms of product cycles with the expectation to buy the next $2,000 electronic groupset from Shimano or SRAM every two years. It's great that microSHIFT recognizes that there is a market to spec mechanical groupsets with cable actuated disc brake on bicycles, which will provide more than enough performance for the vast majority of cyclists.
Yes! 💯 agree. Thx for the input
Excellent and lucid commentary. Although, perhaps, you could've substituted the word "avid" with "competitive"-I certainly agree, nonetheless.
I'm also an avid & non-competitive cyclist. AGREE! But don't sleep on Juin Tech GT-F hybrid/Yokozuna Ultimo hybrid/cable actuated brakes. I like mine better than my old shimano ultegra hydraulic brakes.
I'm glad you & Russ are covering this new groupset. I have *_no_*_ desire_ to charge my bike. Just because electronic shifting is convenient doesn't necessarily mean it's good value.
💯
I'm a big fan of Microshift, really great components - in my opinion.
I have three bikes with Advent X and they've been the most reliable drivetrains I've ever used.
Compared to expensive bikes, my dream build is “entry level”. Sword 1 x Brifters / derailleur with 11-48. Grx 600 crankset, Bassi Higs Back, with Gravel King sk’s.
I haven’t built my bike yet as some parts are still on the way but the groupset itself looks very high quality.
Glad you mentioned the brake lever pull from the hoods aspect of this new model vs Advent X. I found the X’s brake lever pull from the hoods to be almost impossible with GRX really adding the best in class feature. Might be looking to add Sword to a future 90s mtb to gravel bike build.
Thanks. This is just what I needed. You sold me. I’ll be getting the shifters almost immediately. 👏🚴🏼
great vid! opened my eyes to something I didnt know about
Great stuff! I have a Triban RC120 that I’m slowing converting to a gravel bike and I’m definitely considering the Sword groupset if I make the switch to 1x
Great review buddy!
Looking to put some drops back on my steel Genesis Vagabond. I already use Microsoft bar-ends and really like the quality.
I love the big difference between shift paddles. That means I could wear heavy winter gloves/mittens and still know what I'm shifting compared to mis-shifting Shimano's very close paddles. I have a brifter set that looks identical to the old Advent X ones to shift my Shimano Alfine 11 speed internal gear hub. The external shifter cable coming out of the brifter head is really annoying since I usually run a large bag or Wald basket. I'm really hoping whichever company took the old Advent design for the Alfine shifter will follow suit with the new Sword design. I would buy them and swap them out instantly if I could.
I've been excited about this since I first heard several months ago. Seriously considering getting the 2x setup for my Poseidon X at some point.
It looks good, the biggest thing that puts me off is the same as advent x, it's those gear steps on the 1x. I had a 1x10 groupset from ltwoo but the cassette jumps were the same, 11,13,15,18. It's that 15 to 18 that I don't like as it's the start of 3 tooth jumps right around the range I generally ride in. If they could do 1x10, lose something in the back and offer something like 11,13,15,17,19,24,28,32,38,46. Probably personal to me but after 19 in the back I'm generally on something where I'm gonna be going up a hill and a jump from 19 to 24 would not be as bothersome as from the 15 to 18 with nothing in between. It would be kind of like that shift between fronts on a 2x. That's why I personally love 1x12, it gives the perfect steps and range for me
I'd imagine older 105/Ultegra 2x11 fully mechanical levers paired with GRX derailleurs might work but still cost twice as much? Perhaps better sell on value later down the road? The sword shift paddles look awkward but would love to try them out! Hope shops start selling builds with this group.
been riding my adventx for 4 months already and I really really love it , perhaps eventually in the future I might get the sword and since you had said that the sword is a huge improvement from the advent X
I love my AdventX 😊 i dislike most things about post 2000 bicycles, but i sure love the AdventX.
I think this groupset is awesome. Especially the 2X option - super wide double will get you anywhere! For those who prefer flat bar, this is also a spectacular option, as the sword groupset can be used with Microshifts excellent SL-M10 thumb shifters - or any of the Microshift Advent X shifters.
The alloy version of the 11-48 has been available since Advent X was first released. I’ve been running 2 of them for at least a couple years.
Yes I think that's right. It IS an unusually light weight cassette for the range. Maybe it's the heavier all steel option that's new.
I think they’ve both been available. Many (many) have pointed out my error 😆
Good news!
Though, I'd be running that through an alt-bar and friction shifters. Redundancy FTW! 😁
awesome review. planning on getting this for my old cross bike refurbishing later this year
I'm just happy it's mechanical since its perfect for neo retro builds with old frames like my Gt tequesta.
Exactly
I have and advent 9 speed with clutch. Is awsome to have something cheap that works great. Is like beating the system!
Guys prepare yourselves to get great value bikes from Decathlon as they used rebranded Microshift on most of their budget bicycles !
Nice options for gravel riders 🤙🏾
Thanks for the interesting news!
Several years ago they did work.on an electronic groupset. They showed off some prototypes but it just kind of disappeared.
I have MicroShift on my Marin Gestalt and i love it. It's ergonomics are more comfortable than Shimano and SRAM.
I'm using shimano Brifter right now and that paddle for shifting to the harder gear is the sweet spot for me but it's vice versa on Shimano brifter though because that paddle is for the highest gear.
outstanding content, thanks!
Great!! thank you for the info.
Almost perfect, just wish there was a hydraulic option to make it a true GRX rival, maybe it's in the works?
It's great options for mechanical fans
Are the cranks compatible with a 73mm BSA? Current GRX and Apex are only compatible with 68mm bottom bracket which is kinda a pain in the ... for me...
Will any 10speed chain work? I read somewhere an e-bike chain was used as a normal 10speed was too short?
Also, which 1x Crankset do you think would be most suited to mostly road riding with the odd gravel/touring/bikepacking trip… 40T or 42T? Thanks!
Components for the people!!
The problem? Where to buy ?
It would be great if this could replace the Sora, Claris and Advent groupsets on entry-level bikes. That would make them a lot more appealing to me at least. It feels like Apex 1x11 and GRX 2x10 are the only decent "entry-level" groupsets but the bikes become pretty expensive with those options.
Yep $2k for Spec Diverge E5 “elite” with grx400 2x10. Aluminum, solid mechanical shifting, not cheap but not bad. Hydraulic brakes - might not survive zombie apocalypse but that’s what it came with. Having fun with it and riding it on road and bridle trails
QBP currently lists Sword as available in early October 🤞🤞🤞
Is it known when the Sword components will be available for purchase. ? This Poseidon owner wants to know
Bro… if it’s not much to ask can you give me the specs of your microshift sword group set including what you used for the brake calipers, bb, etc… appreciate it thanks and more power!
Is the alloy cassette really something new? Isn't it the G series of the 48t cassette for the Advent X?
The only thing lacking from this groupset is hydraulic braking I think. If they could find a way to make it interchangeable between mechanical and hydraulic on their brifters, I think that would be awesome.
Of course not. It’s been around at least a couple years. I have an alloy Advent X cassette on my hardtail from over a year ago already..
Yea looks like the alloy version has been around. I recently realized there are 2 versions.
Interchangeable hydro/ mech levers would be a game changer! The tech required seems a ways off, but we can dream!
@@TheBikeSauce Did Microshift alter the cable angle that you weren't a fan of on their Advent X RDs?
A little bit, the angle is not as severe on sword. Shifting is perfect nonetheless
is there a reason that the sword cassette is only compatible with HG hub bodies, rather than XD or XDR. I think this significantly limits its compatibility, which I kind of thought was the main idea behind this (e.g. so you can run a wide range 1x mullet set up with drop bar brifters). I bought this for a 1x gravel build, but wanted to use an existing wheelset (Zipp 303 firecrest) with an XDR driver, but there seems to be no hack to make it work so I plan to send it back. Any ideas on how to make the sword groupset work with an XDR driver? I saw that there is a HG freehub body available for the Zipp 303's but I can't find it anywhere, and since it's an 11 speed and the cassette is 10 (again, why?), I'm not sure that will even work.
That's weird that microshift says you can just swap the cage for 1x/2x mode on the rear shifter. I would have expected the parallelogram to move with a steeper angle on the 1x version so the upper pulley stays close to each cassette cog with a 11-48t vs a shallower angle on the 2x version that stays close to each cassette cog on the 11-38t. When the upper pulley gets too far away from the cogs your shifting suffers a lot.
Good point. Likely the upper pulley is moved slightly lower, but the cassette profile is certainly different between the 2 options
So what is the verdict in terms of it shifting into and out of the 48t cog?
I have a base model Diverge E5 with Claris, and i think this would be a nice way to get to 1x as a cheapish upgradre. I would like to get a power meter with it though - do you know if or how that's possible? I dont want power meter pedals as I like taking my gravel bike on pretty gnarly single track and I value my collarbone. 😊
Use a Grx crankset and Grx stages power meter, not cheap but that’s pretty much the only option without using Spd pedals.
Look into 4iiii power meter cranks. Affordable and compatible with stuff
Are the brifters compatible with shimano mechs & cassettes?
Nope. Different pull ratio.
What's the bottom bracket you used with the Sword Crankset?
What brakes did you use during the test and can you comment on stopping performance with your setup?
Just the stock Tektros that come on the Poseidon X Ambition. Very basic dual piston calipers and I was hugely impressed by the performance jump from the stock advent x brifters
And just so everyone knows, for 1X you DO NOT need to use the Microshift cranks or chainrings. I’m running one Advent X setup with White Industries, and another with Raceface Aeffect.
We need a durability test or atkeast a clutch bike drop/clain mkvement comparison between advant X v2 , acyolte and sword
I know the acyolte clutched derailleur worked better clutch wise and was more durable than the Advent and advent X.
Theirs now a V2 X that offers more engagement (probably same durability)
And this newer sword to me seemsoke it's also better designed than the advant/X)
I this now generally available ?
Shimano and SRAM prices are out of control so I'll be picking Sword up if/when I need to replace my Shimano 105 R7000 groupset. I can live with one less gear in the cassette and without hydraulic brakes.
Any news on UK/EU availability?
What's annoying is that it's almost impossible to find this groupset anywhere in Canada, or anything from Microshift apart from fully built bike. If you want to make your own with the groupset you're very limited in your choices...
Same issue in UK my advent x shifters faulty and looking to replace the brifters with sword but cannot buy them individually. Full groupset only wtf
compressionlress housing is so difficult to get and so expensive, so i would avoid mechanical brakes whenever i could
So where to buy?
Why can't they give us a lower geared bike? If they just added a 26/44 chainring, you could use it for bikepacking. Why is almost everything overgeared? GRX has the same problem. Unfortunately, I will have to stick to flat bars I guess.
I do love that they are doing this but a we bit late.
Ltwoo group I got was less expensive 12 speed and hydro without the carbon. I think it was less than 260 to my door for levers calipers and all. They want 180 for levers. Yeah for the bike public that rolls up and buys a complete bike at a shop fine but for the guy that pieces together bikes no way.
I got an reply from an email stating that the sword will be released in October.
I came looking for a Microsoft Word alternative app but stayed for video production quality
Great review bro, but the Alloy cassette has been out for awhile now! I upgraded to that cassette on my hardtail almost a couple years ago!! You slipped up on that one Brodie!
lol thanks
Wait, why would we be getting Microshift Sword if there is soo many different groupset from China these days and they are actually pretty dam good and even cheaper too? Ltwoo, sensah etc?
Heard anything about availability?
Not sure when they’ll be available to consumers
Thw sub/sub-sub compact chainset appeals. But I have to say, hydraulic brakes are now non-negotiable for me, I really thing Microshift need to either invest in hydraulic R&D or buddy up with tektro or someone...
What are you calling the shifters? Grifters? Drifters? Just curious.
'Brifters' - brake + shifters
For me, the existence of a group that meets the demands of the ordinary cyclist is enough. A 90% rider is looking for a transmission with good range.
12 speeds are focused on achieving the perfect cadence in competition; the same as the efficiency of hydraulic braking.
I have no desire for 1x or electronic shifting. I think they're moving backwards with 1x and electronic is just expensive and adds nothing imo
For the people
Where can I send my money for this group??
Haha it’s available now at most retailers.
i want 11s !
Microshift’s next 11sp group should be called Spinal Tap
No hydraulic brakes is a deal breaker. Unless one is multi-day touring, all the various options are sub-par. In that way it is a downgrade from Advent X, since most Advent X riders would be using something like Shimano SLX hydraulics.
Best thing I ever did was get rid of my ultegra hydraulic brakes. If you don't downhill or ride in water/mud more than 5 days/year, rim brakes or mechanical dics are MORE than you need. I road-raced on rim brakes-it was fine. I did hardcore cross-country with XT V-brakes- and Paul levers-my best brakes ever. Now I ride gravel with cables & hybrid brakes-2nd best ever.
the gearing is weird, they should went for 46/29 in front and 11/42 in rear. or 11/43.
thanks for the video, but honestly, the groupset is not really interesting since there aren't any... well, brakes? Shall we continue using those - tested and failed - mechanical or semi-hydraulic brakes which are really nonsense? I'm a heavy rider and the different brakes i tested are not really worth it. You can use the GRX brakes though and you're good to go on a descent in the Swiss Alps.
Yeh they suck, all these cable/hydraulic hybrids like Juintech or whatever. Microshift should have made their own hydraulic calipers which are inter-operable with either SRAM or Shimano brifters, that way people have options.
No hydraulic brakes = no alternative to grx or grx killer!
Mechanical brakes, it's not alternative to GRX it's alternative to mechanical 105 at best. Also currently 10s Sword shifter costs about as much as hydraulic GRX shifter which is beyond ridiculous. Wake up.
I've been quite fond of your channel pretty much ever since COVID brought me into the hobby, so I'm quite bummed about the fact that this annoying trend of cutting sentences so closely together to the point of almost overlapping, has unfortunately infected you as well.
It just disrupts the natural rhythm of speech so much and feels unnecessarily hurried, which affects me as a viewer in my breathing, to an extent, if you know what I mean.
Other than that, keep up the great coverage of bike tech!
Oh no. Just when I thought the editing was getting decent 🙁. Perhaps cut some more no-dialogue breaks into the mix
When Microshift comes up with disk calipers to rival TRP or Clampers, THAT will be a day to celebrate...
Can you make your content inclusive by formatting the auto captioning into closed captioning please? it is extremely hard to watch it relying only on the auto captioning sadly (I'm Profoundly Deaf)
GRX killer? Not really as Microshift don’t even have hydraulic brakes.
10 speed is outdated…