Buyer's guide to Microshift groupsets

Oct 14, 2023

We take you through the full Microshift range, with offerings for all disciplines

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By Nick Clark

Published: February 9, 2023 at 5:00 pm

Microshift manufactures drivetrain components for all cycling disciplines, including mountain bikes, road bikes and gravel bikes.

The brand may be off the radar of some riders and tends to feature on bikes at the low- to mid-range of the market. Its products are generally priced below SRAM or Shimano components at comparable spec points.

Most of its range is compatible with Shimano's shifting systems. This is because Microshift uses the same cable pull ratio on certain products. It makes Microshift products ideal inexpensive replacements if you’re shopping on a budget or can't find Shimano in stock.

Microshift is unusual in that it shares the same cable pull ratio across many of its road bike groupset and mountain bike groupset components. This means riders can mix and match, for example, drop-bar shifters with mountain bike groupsets, creating a mullet drivetrain on a budget.

It also produces less common shifter styles, such as thumb and bar-end shifters, for most drivetrains. All of this makes Microshift a popular option with dedicated home tinkerers.

In this article, we will delve into the full Microshift product range, explaining the hierarchy of its groupsets for road, gravel and mountain bike components. We’ll also outline the compatibility of its parts with those from other manufacturers.

Cable pull ratio is the amount the derailleur moves for every millimetre of cable pulled through by the shifter. Microshift and Shimano use the same cable pull ratio for certain products, making their components compatible. The exception is Microshift's Acolyte, Advent and Advent X groupsets that use the brand's proprietary pull ratio.

The range is not compatible with SRAM drivetrain components because it uses a different cable pull ratio.

Microshift's road groupsets are compatible with Shimano parts because both brands use the same pull ratio. This makes them an inexpensive replacement for Shimano parts.

All cassettes can be fitted onto Shimano HG freehubs.

The R8 groupset is a part of Microshift's R-Series of components and sits at the bottom of the brand's hierarchy, but uses the same shifting technology as others in the range.

Available with a single, double or triple-chainring setup, the R8 family can be specced with either drop-bar shifters or Microshift's Xpress flat-bar shifters.

Cassettes range from 12-28t to 11-34t and are available in a silver or black finish.

The R9 features the same shifting system as the R8, but has an aluminium rear derailleur as opposed to steel, offering a weight saving.

The R9 groupset is compatible with single, double or triple-chainring setups, with the option of a drop-bar or Microshift's flat-bar shifters. The R9 is also available with bar-end shifters for time trial bikes, as well as thumb shifters for a 90s mountain bike aesthetic.

Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.

The R10 groupset tops the R-Series range and features an aluminium-machined rear derailleur that still uses the steel cage found on the R8 and R9.

The R10 is compatible with double or triple chainrings, with the same options of drop-bar, flat-bar, bar-end and thumb shifters as the R9.

Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.

The Centos groupset is Microshift's 11-speed offering, which Microshift says offers race-level shifting performance.

Unlike the R-Series, the Centos’ rear derailleur features forged aluminium construction, as well as an aluminium cage.

It's only compatible with a double chainring with a short cage, and is positioned near to Shimano's 105 groupset in terms of performance.

Centos is available with drop-bar shifters with 12mm of adjustable reach that can be set by a screw under the hood. It's also available with Centos Xpress and Xpress Plus bar shifters, as well as thumb shifters.

Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.

Some of Microshift's mountain bike groupsets are compatible with Shimano because they use the same pull ratio.

The brand has also released its own proprietary shifting system on the Acolyte, Advent and Advent X groupsets. These aren't compatible with Shimano's drivetrains, but the cassettes can be fitted onto an HG freehub body.

While Microshift doesn't make a gravel-specific groupset, many of it's mountain bike groupsets can be paired with drop-bar levers. This enables you to choose from a wide range of durable components for your gravel riding exploits.

These models include the Advent X, Advent and XLE.

The Mezzo groupset is Microshift's lower-tier mountain bike groupset, which the brand says is aimed at mid-level mountain bikes.

It can be set up as either 8- or 9-speed and is compatible with double or triple chainrings.

The rear-derailleur outer link is made out of a composite, while the body is forged aluminium.

The Mezzo groupset is available with Microshift's thumb tap shifters and is compatible with Shimano's mountain bike drivetrain components.

Cassettes range from 12-28t to 11-34t and are available in a silver or black finish.

The Marvo sits just above the Mezzo in the Microshift line-up, with the rear derailleur featuring full-metal construction for durability on the trails.

Available with Microshift's Xpress shifters, the Marvo groupset is compatible with a double or triple chainring.

Cassettes range from 11-32t to 11-36t.

The XLE is the brand's mid-range groupset. The XLE rear derailleur is the first in Microshift's line-up to feature a clutch. This makes it compatible with 1x setups.

XLE is also compatible with a double chainring and uses Microshift's Xpress flat-bar shifters, or drop-bar shifters if you’re of a gravel persuasion.

Cassettes range from 11-40t to 11-46t.

The XCD is Microshift's top-of-the-line Shimano-compatible mountain bike groupset, featuring a full-aluminium rear derailleur that can be specced with or without a clutch.

XCD is only compatible with a 1x setup using Microshift's Xpress Plus shifter.

Cassettes range from 11-42t to 11-46t.

The Acolyte is the first groupset in the Microshift range that uses the brand's proprietary cable pull technology. This means it's incompatible with Shimano's mountain bike components.

The Acolyte rear derailleur is constructed from aluminium and features a steel cage with the option of a clutch.

A ‘Super Short’ cage enables the rear derailleur to be used on 20in wheels for kids’ bikes or folding bikes.

Positioned for light trail use and commuting, the Acolyte groupset is only compatible with a 1x drivetrain.

Cassettes range from 12-42t to 12-46t.

The Advent is a mid-tier mountain bike groupset using Microshift's proprietary cable pull ratio.

Compatible with single or double chainrings, the Advent's rear derailleur can be specced with a clutch for keeping the chain in check on bumpy descents.

There is a large choice of shifters, with the groupset also able to use Microshift's drop-bar levers and bar-end levers for gravel bikes.

Cassettes range from 11-42t to 11-46t.

The Advent X is Microshift's top-tier groupset using its proprietary cable pull ratio.

Compatible only with a 1x setup, the Advent X's rear derailleur features full-aluminium construction, as well as a clutch to keep the chain running smoothly.

Aimed at performance mountain biking, the groupset can also be specced with drop-bar levers for gravel riding.

The Advent X is available only with an 11-48t cassette.

Microshift also produces a wide range of shifters that are compatible with internal gear hubs.

This includes drop-bar, trigger, twist, bar-end and thumbie-style shifters for Shimano 8- and 11-speed Alfine hubs, as well as 3-, 7- and 8-speed Shimano Nexus hubs.

Shimano only produces trigger and grip shifters for these hubs. Microshift's range opens up options for using an internal gear hub on any bike.

A drop-bar gravel bike with an internal gear hub? We like it.

Digital Writer

Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes. Having raced XC for most of his youth, he has a deep understanding of the sport and loves bounding around the UK to spectate at events. A mountain biker at heart, Nick helped create a community of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. Described as having a good engine in his racing days, it's now common to see Nick wheel-sucking on club rides and sprinting for town signs. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. He is currently riding a YT Capra on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the road.

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