The New People's Groupset? Microshift Sword review 

Good old Shimano 105 mechanical for me. Can't go wrong

I love this video. As a bike mechanic, this makes so much sense to me. Even the L Twoo groupsets are close to 1000.00 US. I'm not sure that the majority of riders need that much tech.

TRP also sells a cable-pulled hydraulic caliper that while a bit more expensive, does offer a better feel at the lever.

Good episode. Guess what: I AM thinking of building fully mechanical, but on rim brakes, alloy rims, traditional long saddle, exposed cables, external headset, BSA BB. A custom titanium frame will make it buttery smooth timeless ride😉

This groupset is actually compatible with Shimano rear derailleurs. It uses the same cable pull as the mountain bikes Deore and Deore XT 10s rear derailleurs wich means you can run up to a 50T cassette on the back with a 29T on the front, making it the widest range of gear in the market !

Got a steal on an OEM Tiagra groupset from an online retailer earlier this year. Also thought about getting the Microshift Sword groupset but at the price I paid, there was no comparison.

I mostly watch David Arthur's review for the joy of him saying 'sprocket' instead of 'cog'. Grumpy old man feature unlocked!

You can mix groupset components Dave. Mircoshift levers can be mixed with shimano deore and it shifts without any issues. Please try growtac calipers. Trp are pretty weak and mushy. Growtac makes huuge difference

Would defo go for GRX over this. You absolutely cannot go wrong with Shimano mechanical groupsets, they're pretty much flawless now.

If I ever would do a very long bikepackingtrip this is the groupset I would go to.

I got mechanical GRX on both of my bikes and I love it

I plan to use the 2x group set for my bike build because I want mechanical brakes. However, I started to wonder if I could actually go with a rim brake group set and if that would open up my options as well. I would think so since they are both cable systems?

Are there any online retailers in the UK? Groupset is nowhere to be seen. Just a few parts here and there.

When it comes to new, complete bikes, at least the Polish Kross launches its 2nd generation entry-level gravels (Esker model) with Sword on board. But I suppose there might be more brands. I use Sword's predecessor, the Advent-X on my first-generation Kross Esker 2.0 MS. While I had some small issues with the bike at the beginning, when it comes to the Advent-X, I can't say a bad word about it. I never used hydraulic brakes, hence I don't have a comparison. But this makes me happier because mechanical brakes work completely fine for me in the lowlands, where I live and ride. I'm not sure, though, if I would like them in the mountains.

Have u tried the trp hybrid mechanical Hydraulic disc brakes

Where can you buy this groupset? Seems hard to find on t'internet??

KROSS Esker 2.0 is equipped with Sword 1x and it’s great entry level gravel bike from Poland.

I have seen, Sword reviewed and have wondered about cost/performance particularly with reference to my Gravel bike that has a mostly Tiagra with GRX rear mech for range and clutch, and a Sora front as the last remaining part of the bikes original set up, I’m likely to be significantly heavier rider and really found cable disks even the twin pots like you had just inadequate. Hence the upgrade few years back, and the rear mech followed about a years ago.

Does the cassette slide on to Shimano splined free hub if you wanted the classic old school set up , ie none disc brake types.

I’m still unsure, but even though the group set isn’t cross compatible with Shimano parts, what cassette brands can you use?

Distance bike, the retail brand of Cycle Victoire are selling bikes with microshift Sword!

where can you buy it?

You didn't mention Campy Chorus for comparison! Best hydro brakes on the market, and about 1000eur if you shop around.

A modern groupset on a frame with external routing is just pure bliss. Modern groupset have to be so good at shifting because that's the only way to make internally routed shift cables in modern frames work.

Very excited about the Sword 10-speed groupset (they also released Sword Black, which is 9-speed). BTW, I plan go for the JuinTech GT-F 4-piston hydro/mechanical calipers.

AXS is very nice because you can mix and match lots of stuff, unlike mechanical with their different pull ratios etc. it makes gravel mullet builds very approachable, and it makes each of the components upgradeable almost individually. Aside from that, I think mechanical is probably the easiest option, but i am looking forward to not having to deal with shift cables again.

Got distracted by the gorgeous frame ❤

12:54 re: Cable Pull. What about the hack that Jeff at PLP found-out with the and Shimano Cues derailleurs?

The TRP HyRd are a great alternative to the spires

Doesn't the Shimano 105 come in at £500.00. Superb groupset. Wonder why that wasnt mentioned, what am I missing

Delighted to see a company that doesn't promote tiny necklace-strength chains and super soft chainsets.

8:07 What do you mean when your bike weighs 18 kilos? That Secan is between 9-10, no?

Sword shifters will work with old Shimano Dynasys and new Cues rear derailleurs.

Tiagra Hydro can be had for good money,and has Hydro or cable levers

Nice to see some price competition.

Nice to see competition at the lower end

Just ordered the Sword groupset. The lower gears, price than GRX and the all mechanical sold me. I Prefer my Juin Tech GT cable actuated hydraulic brakes over my Sram rival, Shimano Deore hydraulic brakes and the Spyres on my other bikes.

Those brake mounts are good.

Im still rely on tiagra grx400 combo bcs can get cheaper to get hydraulic brakes

never liked the top shiftbutton on Microshift(ers). To small and to high. What i really do like though is the big range on the Cassett. 11-38 is awesome for a 10speed roadbike in hilly regions. For gravel i want 1by with 11 or better 12speed.

I've never been a fan of Shimano's "floppy" (as Dave called it) brifters, which require moving the entire brake lever inwards for shifting. Admittedly clever but still strange.

I do like the affordable value Microshift is bringing to the market, and I particularly like this #BYOB - 'bring your own brakes' option. It's great for retro fits and new builds alike. Perhaps one day an innovative company will produce the holy Grail of mechanical brifters - a modular design that permits swapping out a subassembly for the manufacturers cable pull of choice. On the topic of mechanical disc brakes, to echo other viewers comments, it would be great to get your opinion of hybrid hydraulic/mechanical offerings by TRP and others, as well as the more top shelf spendy mechanical products by Growtac and Paul Components. Oh yeah, the repaint on the Fairlight is just mint. 😍👍🏼👏🏼🙌🏼

What about Shimano Cues?

I use a campy record mechanical group set! Got a good deal from the UK. But some of these new frames are not set up for the mechanical derailers. It took so much work talking to people online. Unbelievable bike companies don't have a kit for this. They think everyone wants wireless with all those batteries! Disc brakes yes I see now they are very nice. No batteries on any of my bikes!!!!

after trying it, I'd rather make a hacked R7000 rim brake 105 levers with the GRX 11 speed derailleurs, cassette, chain, and chainwheel. Pull ratio of Shimano 11 speed is the same on GRX and 105. I like what Microshift is doing, but I don't like the small button to up shift and the plastic brake levers. Compression-less brake housing helps make mechanical disc brakes more responsive and bit better, but the force needed to actuate is still more than hydro.

All the fancy electronic stuff is fine and understandable for pro racers - but your average cyclist doesn't actually require it. My next winter bike will be either alloy or steel, with mechanical groupset & disc brakes....

Why do Canadians money not gets mention? Conversion rates would be nifty @ post time

400£ + 2 brake calipers + chain vs 600£ GRX400 with hydraulic disc brakes. I know where I would put my money. The resale value let alone ... But if you want to buy an entry level bike with microshift? Go for it! It works.

This system is too obscure for those who drop their bike off at the bike repair shop when anything goes wrong. For those of us who build bikes, maintain our own bikes, like to go bike packing, bike touring, and prefer to be fully self sufficient and want to be able to repair any mechanical problem on the side of a dirt road, This is a great option. And the fact that it has mechanical brakes is what makes it fill a gap in the market that shimano left open. Wireless shifting is great. But I’ve also witnessed it fail on a dozen different rides over the last 6 years. And when it does, someone is either calling an Uber or riding in their small ring for 20 miles home. As someone who has many bikes, I like to tune a bike, hang the bike, and know that in 2 months that bike will work just as well as the day I hung it up. I don’t want to manage chargers and proprietary batteries. I love that some people love wireless shifting. I ride with those people. But I’m glad we have options like this for those of us who prefer mechanical. *** Update (1 day after posting): was on a ride with a buddy this morning and his front mech battery ran out. He road home in his small ring. He then said he kind of wished shimano still made mechanical groups. I broke the news to him that they do. But then he asked, “but isn’t 105 even below Ultegra?” I laughed and explained to him that 105 is actually pretty good. 😆

The downfall of this groupset is that it is not cheap enough compared to grx. So get it along with a bike or use it for a cheap mullet (it has shimano mtb 10spd, Dyna sis, cable pull as xle and as advent-x).

Mechanical groupsets are fine and I have never had any problems with them. My only issue and a personal one at that is I like to know what rear gear I'm in. I know I should rely on memory and looking down doesn't work for me. Being able to see it on the head unit works for me, but this can only happen with an electronic group set. If I could have a top tier mechanical groupset which I could easily tell what rear gear I'm in, I'd go for it. I'm also not convinced disc brakes are an overwhelming must have.

I see no reason at all why I should switch from my Ultegra Di2 to this. Can't match it by far, only if you're on a budget.

Hard no here.

Mechanical works forever, just less hyped

Always enjoy the content. I can appreciate those who do not or cannot step up to electronic shifting. I can never go back to my mechanical shifting or cable actuated brakes. Looks like a set of Enve G23 wheels on the bike 🤑🤑👊🏻

$400 groupset of the people with $2500 ENVE wheelset.

Sounded good until you said it's not compatible with Shimano or SRAM and this seems like a very poor decision. As for the cost -- Shimano and SRAM OEM groupsets (and Campy for that matter) are overpriced unless purchased with a bike. They could've wedged into the market with a cheaper, quality compatible kit so folks could upgrade their mechanical group sets piecemeal. IMO you're better off with a 105 mechanical group set.

Great video for smart cyclists😊

More like this content and I’ll give you likes

как часто у вас рвется гидравлика?

No!no!no! It’s like trying to un-invent the wheel? Embrace the change!!

Would never ever go back to mechanical shifting

Get the grx400, with sales and on complete bikes this is like 100£ more expensive but three times the quality. Don’t go for mediocrity

Hang on, no way cable or cable/hydro is better than a "well set up" rim brake with alloy rims. Absolutely not. I've used hydro discs since the mid/late 80's and couldn't believe how rubbish cable disc were the first time i rode them, worse than carbon rims and rim calipers in my opinion.

removing complexity is what wireless shifting do. dude got it all wrong.

no thanks.

who's asking for this??!!

Absolutely not. Electronics are simply better in every aspect, except the price. But if you can afford it, there is no match to mechanical ones.

I have 2010/TCR Mechanical group set and 2023 Giant Propel electric group set as well🙃🥹😅🚴