The BEST BUDGET Gravel Groupset! (Microshift Advent X)
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- čas přidán 20. 04. 2020
- Review of the very wide and very affordable Microshift Advent X drivetrain with road shifters!
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Microshift rules! Want thumb shifter they got it. Drop bar? Got it. Bar end? They got it. No diff drivetrains for every niche of shifter. They cut out the extra bullshit and marketing. Thank you microshift and Russ
100% agreed. just need to do away with that unsightly side exit shifter cable!
@@daverich7437 Alternatively,live with it.
@@daverich7437 Do that and Microshift looses good shifting -- look at how crappy Shimano 10-speed internally routed shift cables systems worked. SRAM got away with it because they had much more cable pull per shift. Do what you want and that $169 group set becomes double the price for Microshift to redesign everything. I'm sure these shifters are their 10 year old 10-speed shifter they already had, and the rear dérailleur used their existing 9-speed MTB designs.
Microshift has always been Shimano cable pull compatible. [except for 10-speed Tiagra 4700, which has 11-speed cable pulls and work with Ultegra/105 rear dérailleur, and is the only internally routed Shimano 10-speed shifter that works worth a damn once cables age, hangers bend, there is any system wear, etc...]
Microshift has been killing it with affordable drivetrains the last couple of years. The Advent 9-speed on my girlfriend's bike has been rock solid and this looks like a winner too.
my first road bike came with 3x9 microshift and it was super solid! still is working well after many many rough miles
I have Advent on my MTB too, and it is awesome.
Despite being considerably cheaper than a grx set or something, I still don't think 60 bucks per lever is anywhere near affordable
Yep. But a lot of people don't know this brand and they stack with shimano/sram. Fortunately they selling this groupset pretty cheap. :-)
Thanks for creating this thorough review! Since you're the first reviewer of this groupset that I can find on YT I would recommend adding tags for Microshift Advent X so that others can more easily find this video when they search.
Really happy to see this, especially since its a good review. I have been compiling my build sheet for a vintage 26" mtb 1x conversion I bought and this is the groupset I spec'ed. Definitely goon go for it after this review. Thanks!!!
I've been a fan of MicroShift for a few years now. I've had to replace older Shimano brifters and it just was not cost effective to source older, used components, so I've used MicroShift R9s on two builds and R7 brifters on a drop bar 26er conversion which are running Deore 3x7sp from...1989. Shifts flawlessly. Like the brand so much that I bought their Arsis 11sp groupset with the Campy style brifters and they are as smooth as Ultegra 6800. If you can get used to the mechanical clicking when shifting, their shifters are rock solid. I look forward to trying out this new groupo with another drop 26er that I plan on building. I also have a few of their MTB rear derailleurs on a few bikes but prefer Shimano thumb shifters when paired with them. Thanks for the great review!
I have to say that the Microshift Advent X is working great on my new Poseidon X drop bar gravel bike. The 1X 38 front worked fine with the 11-48 rear tooth cassette. I swapped out the square taper BB and cranks for an on-hand Shimano HOLLOWTECH with a 36 Wolftooth Droopstop on front with very little change. If anything, it shifts slightly better and the 36/48 combo means that my 79 year old legs seem to be able to handle almost anything in the way of hills. Yep, it may not be just quite as quick as the Ultegra on my Giant road bike but it's certainly fast enough for my endurance style riding. Shifting both up and down has been without a hitch.
Just put this flat bar groupset on a hybrid with a 11-42 praxis cassette and it’s brilliant. The trigger shifter is a doddle to set up and the partner is much happier only managing 1 set of gears. Shifting is buttery smooth, shifter is clicky but not distractingly so. Very impressed.
This was the obvious winner! Was waiting for this review. I wish I had a reason to buy this groupset 🤣
Thanks for the upfront test! Looking forward to the Cave of bad ideas checking out all the other „ regular“ sti shifter :)
That brake noodle mod is really clever! I'm a friction shifter guy, but Ill keep this trick in mind! Thanks!
You're awesome! Thank you for all the great content
I've really enjoyed Microshift brifters, I have the M110 shifters on my Poseidon X, with a 1x11. Cool thing is that this one has the same pull ratio as the Shimano 11 speed Dyna-Sys mtb rear derailleur. So if you wanted to use a Shimano M8000 rear derailleur on it you could, but I went with their 11 speed XCD rear derailleur, with a 46T max capacity. Works well with a 46T, haven't tried anything bigger. There was a 20 dollar difference between the two, and the XCD has a clutch just like the Shimano version. It's a ratchet style clutch, but does the job well. I've got 200 miles on the drivetrain so far, and I've had zero problems with the system. Go Microshift!
I just did a budget build with drop bars. AdventX is tough to find with drop bars, so I went with 9-speed. It's great. Super-easy to install. And with a couple of hundred miles, I have had ZERO missed shifts.
It has an odd shift feel. Notchy and positive. But it's OK. I don't mind at all. And the ergonomics of the paddles on the side are easy to use with gloves. I like it.
Another great vid keep up the great content for people that will actually use it
I’m going to try their 8-speed version of their new groupset on my crosscheck with downtube shifters soon! Can’t wait!
What DT shifters are you using? Indexed or friction? I'm considering building up a crosscheck myself. Actually, I'm considering buying the flat bar version and converting it to drop bar because that seems to make sense financially for some reason.
Hope you didn’t spend your bucks on these, I got mine and they suck big time ! Issues since day 1
Cool. I know it cant even be considered,but the right 2X10 or 2 X11 solves so many issues created by 1X settups.
The big gaps between gears on a 1x setup are great for mountainbike cycling.
But it really doesn't work well if you aren't cycling on a trail. A 2x system and its smaller gaps between gears make so much more sense if you're doing longer rides.
@@he1z Well... A 2x system can have a wide range cassette as well. If you want a big range, you have make to make the jumps bigger either at the front and/or the back (or add a third chainring), there is no getting around it. Of course you can increase the number of speeds at the back, but that only goes so far.
But a lot depends on what you consider a big jump. If someone is used to something like an 11spd 11-25, then even an 11spd 11-36 might feel like it has big jumps. But if you're used to even wider range cassettes then that 11-36 will feel like it has small gaps between the gears.
I've been eyeing a 2x10 GRX setup because it gives you ~500% of range with a low gear well below 1:1 and it's cheap to run. But for example that 10spd 11-36 has the same jumps in gears as an 11spd 11-42 (which doesn't bother me personally).
It can be done by putting 2x chainrings + microshift R10 left road shifter & front mech
(It might chain-rub like crazy tho🤔)
I love this group set, real easy to clean
Im trying some 2019 SORA 3X9 shifters on my 1990 MASI with Ultegra 6503 drivetrain. Wish me luck Ive been told it can work well. SORA is budget priced and older NOS brifters can be had for 80.00 and get great reviews. I sprang for the under bar tape later model brifters.
I’ve had MicroShift XLE, MicroShift Bar end, and 11-46 since before the Cave Of Bad Ideas (Tm) - loving the MicroShift!
Have you been running the XLE in a 1x11 config?
Glad I came across this... currently building a light weight road not gravel...trying to determine max size narrow wide chain ring for the front
Yes! Especially with how prime 9 flopped and delayed for months Microshift was a clear winner. Funny enough they were able to email me an invoice but unable to communicate anything when the delivery date for December fell through.
Been using this system (actually the 9-speed package) on my gravelbike for a year now. Works like a clock - and with the e-bike chain it will last forever.
Seeing this review, i wonder if this one comparable to 4700 Tiagra disc 2x10 or the newer GRX400 2x10. Since you could mix and match the existing part which is 10 speed to its environment. Keep the great content russ. Really looking forward for the comparison.
Cheers.
I just ordered the normal trigger kits last week... Looking forward to using Advent X!
Just converted my road bike to Advent X 1-by. So nice having that bail-out gear!
I have Sora R3000 on my road bike and MicroShift 3x9 R9s on my 30yo rigid MTB to grave conversion. The Shimano is smother certainly but some times i wonder if i got the change it can be that smooth, where the microshift has a more solid click. and i find the microshift much easier to use in the drops. Both always shift perfect
Just built one for my wife, the 1x wide range was just what she needs all on a dime.
This came on my Surly Ghost Grappler! I ended up switching to Surly moloko bars and the trigger shifter is well made.
Looks interesting and might work for a Surly Straggler frame I just acquired. But I already have bikes with Shimano, Campy, bar end friction and downtube shifters. This would make my "shift lever dyslexia" only worse. (When changing bikes, either I grab air, push on a lever that doesn't move, or shift the wrong way.)
I wonder if this would work with a triple front leaving the left shifter in place and using the right shifter from Microshift. I have a 3x10 shimano on my touring bike and would love to try increasing the rear cassette
My favorite budget complete setup that I run is the Shimano Tiagra 4700 2x set with Shimano GRX 400 with OSPW rear derailleur and TRP HY-RD hydraulic/mech calipers with 160mm rotors. Works better than I could have ever dreamed, and it handles super aggressive rides like a super premium setup. ❤️ and the cables stay hidden.
How much was the drivetrain total? Been trying to price something similar at my LBS but some of the parts aren't available to them atm.
I'm a newbie - can you be more specific about your setup? What I want to achieve is:
29x2.2 (wider even better - I used 2.2 because that's what the Salsa Cutthroat has)
GRX 2X *with the large cassette* gear range. (apparently it DOES work, if you don't use the small chainring with a certain number of the smaller cogs)
Drop bars & brifters (of course)
Does your setup achieve a gear range close to this?
@@pratikpramanik7782 OSPW is $500 for just the derailleur as far as I can tell
@@gregsullivan7408 I am currently running GRX Di2 with a 46/30 front and 11/40 rear. Di2 out of the box doesn't let you use the smallest 3 cogs when in the small front, so I have never put it into that combo, but I run it big/big all the time with no problems.
This is about the same overall ratio as a touring triple.
Rather than trying to stuff a bigger cassette than the 11/40 in, you could go with a smaller front combo and keep the tighter rear cassette which is better for gravel. If you are planning on pushing 2.2 tires, you don't the need the 46x11 gear. You could do something like a White Industries crank with a 40/24 front combo. Of course at this point you are $$$ but it would be mega versatile.
FWIW, I would run a different crank so i could run smaller than the 46/30 front and a tighter rear cassette but I have a hip issue that I alleviate by running 160mm cranks so my options are very limited.
Got a quote on a suitable steel bike (sort of custom build) - everything ok..... except for the price. 🤣 Have decided on a Bombtrack Beyond 2X, with a larger (42t) cassette. Apparently this will still work, but the shifting won't be quite as smooth. It's not as wide a range as the 2X unsupported GRX, but it is still a VERY good range indeed - goes almost as low as my old 3X9 MTB, and a bit higher. And I get drops with brifters! Only 2.1" max width though.
Lovely content, i cant wait for the cheap drivetrain hack with the old 9 sp Shimano Shifters :)
My wife's Cannondale Topstone came with this Groupo and she is pleased with it.
Sounds like a perfect group set for newbies.
I was also searching for cheap solution for my travel bike with road shfters. In the end I combined the Shimano Sora 9 Speed road Shifters with the Shimano 9 Speed M4000 MTB group. The RD-M4000 works great with a 11-36 cassette and I have a tripe crankset in the front with 22/30/40. To use a MTB crankset you need the jtec shiftmate to get it work, but it works reallay well. There are also sub compact road cranksets that work directly withe the Sora shifters, but as I said, I wanted a cheap solution.
I like this! More affordable than my SRAM Force 1 on my Ritchey Logic. Thank you!!
correct me if im wrong but i think this groupset has the largest range available on brifters without modding, and by a decent margin i think, grx 11 speed can do 11-46 but its like 10 times the price and like you said it can do 11-50+ so even if the brifters arent the most ergonomic or smoothest if you want a 1x setup with road levers this is the widest groupset available.
Nice review. This looks like a perfect perfect upgrade for my Bomtrack Arise SS-bike. If you want to use bar-end shifters with this groupset, what Microshift bar-end shifters do you need?
Great video, Russ- thanks.
I looked for it below, but didn't see it: is there any reason this can't be set up as 2x10?
Cheers!
This would be a great base for a garage sale find for drop bar gravel bike that I may even like.
Been really digging microshift
Thanks for this information maybe I can use it one day but in the meantime I like that first bag you had on the handlebar?
What is the name of that bag and where can I find it please?
Great video!! You said something about upgrading wheels with the money savings, have you ever tesred Hunt gravel wheelset ?
Great review. I am looking to build my own gravel bike on a budget, probably from a second hand hybrid. Ideally I want entry-level hydraulic brakes and 1x10 or 1x11, but the only drop bar brifters for 1x11 are Shimano GRX (or similar) and start at $450AUD… is there some kind of mullet setup that I can utilise to keep costs down and still use hydraulics? Or am I dreaming
GREAT video as always. If any knows the answer to my question I have you would know the answer. Can I run Sram road shifter with the Advent X derailleur?
I like the idea but I wish they had gone with the newer lever design, those have much better ergonomics and in my opinion better shift quality (I had a 9-speed set of the older lever style on a cx bike a few years ago)
Advent 1x9 is great, been using it on a Marin. The different cable pull is a bummer - I'm planning on changing the Microshift brifters for TRP hydraulic ones (not a fan of mechanical disc brakes), and a Microshift bar end shifter set to friction to get it all working.
I'm running Advent 1x9 with a bar end, also on my Marin. I might cop this 10 spd cassette and set it up with friction.
Very interesting, thanks
Hi , love the content .
I have been looking at this gropset paired with the thumb shifter , to upgrade / downgrade my dual sus ebike that runs shimano 12 slx .
After 12k on my focus thron ebike riding local fire trails , singletrack and bikepacking im finding my current setup is more often out of alignment than in . im constantly contacting rocks or picking up sticks on the long deraler with shifting going out of whack . The replacement cost and availability is a challenge with the shimano . Im thinking the microshift 10 - 48t would give me enough gear range especially woth the ebike and using turbo on super steep climbs ????
I understand i would have to change my freehub , what about my front chainring ?
Thanks
Matt
I am really thinking about putting a wide range and I would really like to see if it would work with an old Apex!
Can you try it with Shimano brifters? I really just want to upgrade my rear derailleur to one with a clutch retention and I think this is a possibly viable option.
‘Oldshovel’ has a vid fitting one to his old Ritchey 👍
using the V brake noodle you can put the rest in the handlebars, the v brake noodle I’ll be sticking out but at least the rest won’t
What type of brakes do you use? I tried with avid bb5r but the pull is not enough for solid braking.
Love the channel. Thinking of going 1x with a friction shifter. What's the bike stand you use att 1:29 ? Either the specific brand, or what this type of stand is called? Thanks.
The shifter Microshift R10 is compatible with microshift advent x? Becuase i watched old microshift xle with stabilizer clutch, is good idea for a gravel bike 2x10?
Hi friend, quick question.. can we pair this with a 2-by subcompact crankset?
Do you know if the advent 9 speed shifter and derailleur will work with the box prime 9 cassette? Advent x isn't in stock anywhere 😢
Thanks for this practical and comprehensive review. You mention the reach of the levers. Maybe everyone knows this already, but recent Shimano 105 levers (and I'm guessing Ultegra and Durace) have a reach adjustment screw which is very welcome, as well as a safety feature, for the small-handed. Meanwhile, kudos to Microshift for providing adventure cyclists and bikepackers with some reasonably-priced low gears. When will Sram and Shimano wake up to the fact that their dropbar stuff is way over-geared for the ordinary joe as well as carrying a hefty price tag not everone can afford?
I've got one questions: will Sora brifters work with Advent X 9 speed cassette and derailleur?
question though does this rd and cassette works on sensah shifters or sram shifters like sensah quantum and sensah srx pro? or even empire?
Hi there I have question. Maybe you can answer me. I planning to build a 1x10 backup road bike to use during rainy days and maybe to commute with. I'm going to upgrade my standard road bike from DA 7800 to a little bit modern Ultegra 6700. I will pass all the DA components on the backup bike (Aluminum/ carbon fork). I heard and aw some hacks that you can use 9 speed Shimano Mtb rear derailleur with Shimano 10 speed road shifter. I heard your last part on this video. Will it work with my DA road shifters or it's better to go for the Shimano Diore 9 speed?
Thanks in advance
Can anyone tell me if the XLE 1X11 microshift changers work with a 1x11 Deore rear gearbox?
“Finger yoga” 👊🏽
I wonder how this would compare to something like the Shimano GRX 400 10-speed groupset
Hey,I have short fingers and l wonder where I can approx lever handle to the steering wheel?
Has anyone tried using the Advent X cassette with a 10-sp sram apex groupset? Is the spacing the same between the cogs?
Good to have this but my Hydro Shimano Shifters with an SLX 11 speed rear mech on a 11 speed (11-46t) cassette with a wolf tooth tanpan works perfectly it's butter smooth.
Do you think you'd be able to use the microshift rear derailleur with shimano or sram road shifters?
Hoping to se your thoughts on th microshift acolyte 1x8 12-46 one of these days
If this is really proprietary cable pull, then the Microshift SB-M100 and M110 brifters would also be a fine choice with any Shimano 10/11 speed MTB mech. Simplest mullet ever.
Are you going to try these with the gevenalle shifters or is this a review set?
Way to go Microshift! Does Microshift have existing downtube or bar-end shifters that work with this derailleur/cassette?
Yup.
thanks, for the video, what crank arm and chainring are you using?
Have you had a chance to try other brifters yet? Say the Shimano Tiagra for instance. What exactly makes them in compatible? Keep up the great work man.
Do you think this would work with a compact double up front?
I like the shifting on Advent-X Brifter. Btw, is there any rumours that Microshift will release hydraulic brake to support Advent-X ?
What type of barrel adjuster is that? Looks more integrated than standard inline
Russ thanks for this review , how much of a difference in reach do you reckon is between theses advent sti levers and a regular tektro drop bar brake lever, im trying to suss out if ill need a new stem too
Prob par if not a little shorter.
Where is the best place to buy the Advent X group set online?
What is the minimum chain ring size?
I have the 9 speed works great. Even took a hard fall right on the derailleur. Still shifts fine. One downfall is i've tried it with a shimano shifter, it didn't shift correctly at all. I tried it with a different derailleur, still a no go. So you must use all microshift parts with their cassette.
Advent is specific yeah - derailleurs/shifters only work with each other because of the cable pull.
Can we use Shimano shifter, say Tiagra with Microshift RD? Anybody dare to try it, even though it stated in the manual book that is not compatible?
How do you get them so cheap the brifters are 180 canadian for me
love what you do and thanks for this review. I have to ask an honest question though... am I shallow that I like to use shifters for my conversions that dont have annoying and very unsexy side exit shifter cables? I wish microshift would route internally, otherwise I would buy them every time, hands down.
Yes. It’s a bit shallow :). If you look at mountain bikes there are sideways exposed cables everywhere yet people seem to manage.
@@PathLessPedaledTV True and agreed, doesnt affect function. My wife's bike has older 9spd groupset with side exit and they shift just fine. Ill work on my shallowness, haha! Could save me some $$ in these fun vintage gravel builds! Thanks again!
can this work with road bike crank set? example 50-34?
Russ, I also like to try out different groupsets on my bike, but how do you avoid spending a fortune on bar tape? The price of cables and tape keeps me from switching it up as often as I'd like to
Non-adhesive bar tape, my friend. www.jensonusa.com/Profile-Design-Non-Adhesive-Bar-Wrap
@@icecreamheadache god, thank you. hes worried about the price of bar tape when he apparently has multiple groupsets laying around. Thats like being worried about the price of valve stems as you try out different tire and rim combos on your ferrari.
Can you use a any chain with the AdventX? Love the vid!!
Will the 10 speed cassette really fit on a 7 speed hub?
could you run a 2x upfront? I have microshift 8speed and I like the way they work but want a 10speed set up. The crank is a sub-compact 30x42. Just don't want to buy another crank.
Don’t know.
Awesome! What front chain ring did you combine the 11-50 cassette with?
38
the cassette has also true 10speed distances?
Great review Russ! Would you use it with the Box cassette or the Advent one? What's the downside to Box? Price?
He said the effort for shifting to an easier gear.
I love it
Excellent review.
So no support for hydraulic brakes? Bummer the cable pull for the derailleur isn't compatible with some preexisting brifters. Still a nice option for those on a budget.
I’m meh on hydraulic brakes on my bikes. I tinker too much that they would be a PITA.
They SAY that it is not compatible :D Maybe some licensing issues? I wish someone could try it *wink* *wink*
How does it work with hydraulic brakes? Or do I need something like a trp hyrd?
Or could I use the tiagra brifter with the rest of this?
Mechanical only. Not compatible with Shimano cable pull.
Look into Sensah groupsets. It's dirt cheap and pretty nice. I bought myself 1x11 for 150
Hey there, will this group work with v brakes? Looking to convert a 90's mountain bike to a 26er or 650B drop bar bike. If so, which v brake arms would you recommend?
Your have to find short pull v brakes.
How many teeth on the Oval chain ring??
Can yopu actually use it with hydraulic brakes?