This isn’t the primary time I’ve reviewed certainly one of MicroSHIFT’s extremely reasonably priced teams. That will 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 obtained a compelling story price a skim. Now, I’ve given it a full learn, and the quilt 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 assessment, I’ll concentrate on the 1x group as reviewed, together with the ancillary elements 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 it’s best 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 elements weighed are all the elements provided
- The Sword group doesn’t embrace a series, 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 choice
- In addition they provide a dropper submit appropriate 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 Evaluate
The TL;DR model is that this: In order for you a finances 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 trip it. It’s the proper instance of simply how good entry stage elements have develop into, and even after you add the required parts to finish it, it could actually nonetheless be below $600 for a really stable drivetrain.
OK, now for the small print…
The brake levers have an excellent form, making them simple to achieve from each tops and drops. They’re flippantly textured, like a micro shotpeened end, including a little bit of grip for safe braking.
The hood form and dimension can also be good, providing you with a agency base for resting your palms. Their circumference is bigger than present choices from Shimano, SRAM, and Campy, so people with actually small palms 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 tug 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 though 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 shifting nearly 2cm inward earlier than doing something. In comparison with premium teams, that 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 shifting the lever actually far inward, making it considerably impractical.
The crankset makes use of a normal 24mm spindle a la Shimano, so it’s appropriate with all the pieces. The alloy arms have a set spider, with uneven 110/80 BCD chainring mounting bolts that match each 1x and 2x chainrings.
The chainrings are primary, with narrow-wide tooth which have achieved a superbly high-quality job of chain retention. I’ve dropped zero chains.
The arms are additionally primary, accessible in 4 lengths from 165mm to 175mm. They’re stiff sufficient that I haven’t observed 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 cut back chain slap, and it really works fairly effectively.
The Sword group additionally earns bonus factors for its black end with good-looking grey graphics, giving it a beautiful look with out attracting consideration.
It has that “doesn’t appear to be it’s price stealing” vibe, but additionally doesn’t look low-cost or embarrassing if your folks are bike snobs. That’s the proper combo for those who want one thing that flies below the radar, like in an city atmosphere the place flashy bikes get stolen. Sword permits you to nonetheless have nice efficiency with out making your bike a goal.
Whereas I’ve constructed this bike into an off-the-cuff gravel cruiser that’s principally ridden round city, I’ve additionally taken it on a couple of longer “actual” gravel rides, too. And I’d haven’t any qualms about lining up for a 100-miler with it, both. If you happen to’re on a finances or simply increase a enjoyable bike, I’ve actually loved (and proceed to get pleasure from) the MicroSHIFT Sword group and suggest checking it out.