This isn’t the primary time I’ve reviewed considered one of MicroSHIFT’s extremely inexpensive teams. That may be once I examined the Introduction 1×9 mountain bike group, which (spoiler) additionally impressed me with its efficiency.
Switching to gravel, MicroSHIFT’s Sword Group reduce to the center of issues when it dropped a gaggle beginning at simply $355. Mix that with choices for 1x or 2x, a number of cassette and chainring combos, and also you’ve acquired a compelling story value a skim. Now, I’ve given it a full learn, and the duvet doesn’t inform the entire story…
Precise Weights & Part Choices
Hit the hyperlink above for the launch story to get all the tech particulars. On this overview, I’ll deal with the 1x group as reviewed, together with the ancillary components wanted to finish the group. However first, the weights:
Proper Shifter/Brake Lever: 277
Left Brake Lever: 195g
1x Rear Derailleur: 305g
Crankset w/ 42T Chainring: 813g
11-48 10sp Cassette: 413g*
NOTES: There are some things you need to find out about these weights and the group:
2x teams get a entrance derailleur, double chainring, left hand shifter/lever, and smaller 11-38 cassette. In any other case…
All the components weighed are all the components supplied
The Sword group doesn’t embody a sequence, backside bracket, or brake calipers
For 1x teams, they use the Introduction X 11-48 10-speed cassette, which is available in two variations…
I selected the lighter metal+alloy cassette over the all-steel possibility
Additionally they supply a dropper put up suitable left hand lever.
For this construct, I mounted the group to a Jamis Renegade Metal gravel bike, used a KMC chain, FSA backside bracket, and added TRP’s wonderful HyRD disc brake calipers.
MicroSHIFT Sword Evaluation
The TL;DR model is that this: If you would like a price range group that doesn’t skimp on efficiency, look no additional. Not solely have I been actually impressed with the Sword 1x group, so has everybody (together with the native store people) that I’ve let experience it. It’s the right instance of simply how good entry degree components have change into, and even after you add the mandatory parts to finish it, it might probably nonetheless be below $600 for a really strong drivetrain.
OK, now for the main points…
The brake levers have an excellent form, making them straightforward to achieve from each tops and drops. They’re evenly textured, like a micro shotpeened end, including a little bit of grip for safe braking.
The hood form and measurement can also be good, providing you with a agency base for resting your arms. Their circumference is bigger than present choices from Shimano, SRAM, and Campy, so people with actually small arms may discover them a bit a lot to seize on the roughest terrain, however in any other case they’ve nice ergonomics.
The shift paddles use a big decrease paddle to drag cable up the cassette to a neater gear, and a tiny launch paddle on the prime to drop the chain again all the way down to more durable gears. It’s completely different, however not dangerous. The highest set off is simple to nudge with my pointer finger’s center knuckle, so regardless that it seems to be excessive up, it doesn’t take an exaggerated motion to actuate it.
The decrease paddle has a good bit of free motion earlier than beginning to pull cable, the underside tip transferring virtually 2cm inward earlier than doing something. In comparison with premium teams, which will really feel like “slop”, however it by no means bothered me in precise use. Technically, you will get three shifts from a single, prolonged press, however that’s transferring the lever actually far inward, making it considerably impractical.
The crankset makes use of a normal 24mm spindle a la Shimano, so it’s suitable with every part. The alloy arms have a hard and fast spider, with uneven 110/80 BCD chainring mounting bolts that match each 1x and 2x chainrings.
The chainrings are fundamental, with narrow-wide tooth which have completed a wonderfully high-quality job of chain retention. I’ve dropped zero chains.
The arms are additionally fundamental, obtainable in 4 lengths from 165mm to 175mm. They’re stiff sufficient that I haven’t seen any flex, so I’ve no complaints right here, both.
The derailleur has clutch with a stealthy on/off dial…rotate the outer portion of the P-knuckle to show it on or off. Within the pic above, it’s within the “on” place to scale back chain slap, and it really works fairly nicely.
The Sword group additionally earns bonus factors for its black end with good-looking grey graphics, giving it a horny look with out attracting consideration.
It has that “doesn’t appear like it’s value stealing” vibe, but additionally doesn’t look low-cost or embarrassing if your pals are bike snobs. That’s the right combo should you want one thing that flies below the radar, like in an city surroundings the place flashy bikes get stolen. Sword enables you to nonetheless have nice efficiency with out making your bike a goal.
Whereas I’ve constructed this bike into an informal gravel cruiser that’s principally ridden round city, I’ve additionally taken it on just a few longer “actual” gravel rides, too. And I’d haven’t any qualms about lining up for a 100-miler with it, both. When you’re on a price range or simply increase a enjoyable bike, I’ve actually loved (and proceed to get pleasure from) the MicroSHIFT Sword group and advocate checking it out.
MicroSHIFT.com
