Microshift Sword gravel bike groupset challenges Shimano and SRAM with low price

Microshift Sword is an affordable 10-speed mechanical gravel bike groupset available in 1x and 2x options that could soon be found on many budget gravel bikes.

The brand says it developed Sword as an affordable, completely cable-actuated gravel bike groupset because it believes no other brand currently offers this solution.

Microshift says the system pairs modern ergonomics with a wider cassette range and a fully mechanical design that’s easy to service and adjust.

Sword will be offered in two variants – a 1x 10 option, which the brand recommends for “adventure, bikepacking and rowdy days” and a 2x 10 flavour for “fast gravel, group rides and long days”.

Speaking to BikeRadar, Microshift’s brand manager Gus Juffer says he expects to see the groupset specced widely on sub-$1,200 complete bikes.

Unlike complete groupsets from Shimano or SRAM, Sword doesn’t include a specific chain and bottom bracket, nor does it include brake calipers or disc brake rotors.

Sword is designed around the use of mechanical disc brakes and although the brand says it understands there is consumer demand, Microshift isn’t offering a hydraulic lever at launch.

The groupset is available now and we’ve included American pricing for the individual components below. UK, European and Australian pricing are all to be confirmed.

Let’s take a look at each component in turn.

Microshift Sword shifters

The shifters represent a radical change from the brand’s Advent X drop-bar versions.

These shifters look similar to a Shimano GRX-815 Di2 lever, albeit less angular.

With the exception of Microshift’s Centos 11-speed road bike groupset, Sword represents the first time the gear cable hasn’t been routed externally out of the side of the shifter.

There’s texturing on the hoods for enhanced grip and the lever body has a gradually rounded outer edge that’s claimed to reduce pressure points. It’s also been designed specifically to pair well with flared gravel bike handlebars.

The shifters feature reach adjustment, which adjusts the shift and brake levers independently.

The shifters share the same cable pull as Advent X, which means they are inter-compatible.

Previous Microshift groupsets – such as XLE, XCD and Centos – use the same cable pull ratio as Shimano. However, both Advent X and Sword’s cable pull differs from Shimano's.

The shifters are compatible with road-pull brakes (the amount of cable shifter pull differs to suit different types of brakes) and feature a high-pivot for extra braking leverage.

This means the shifter pulls slightly more cable than a standard lever, resulting in increased braking power. The road pull levers also mean the groupset could be paired with standard road calipers or cantilever brakes.

Microshift recommends using compression-less housing and a two-piston brake caliper.

No hydraulic disc brake option is available at launch.

The shifters can be purchased as a pair or separately and there’s even a specific option that’s compatible with a dropper post, forgoing the need to run a separate remote.

• Microshift Sword drop-bar shifter right, 10-speed: $94.99
• Microshift Sword drop-bar shifter left, double: $94.99
• Microshift Sword drop-bar dropper remote, left: $64.99
• Microshift Sword drop-bar brake lever, left: $64.99
• Microshift Sword 2x10 shifter pair: $189.99
• Microshift Sword 1x10 shifter pair: $159.99

Microshift Sword rear derailleur

The Sword rear derailleur has also received some extensive updates over Advent X.

The derailleur features a clutch with an integrated switch that engages instantly when riding.

Like Shimano, you can ride with the clutch turned off (although Microshift says it was designed to be ridden with it on). The clutch is always engaged on SRAM gravel bike groupsets and Campagnolo Ekar – it is only turned off when you want to remove the rear wheel.

The Sword rear derailleur features what Microshift has dubbed an Orbital barrel adjuster. This can pivot by up to 15 degrees, potentially smoothing out tight cable runs. The brand claims this is an industry first.

If you do decide to opt for a mullet setup and pair an Advent X rear derailleur with Sword shifters, you will need to run an inline barrel adjuster.

The 1x long-cage rear derailleur has a maximum cassette capacity of 48t, with the 2x medium cage topping out at 38t.

If you are converting between a 1x and 2x groupset, Microshift says you don’t need to swap the rear derailleur because you can buy an after-market replacement cage to suit either setup. The cage is held in place by three 2mm hex bolts.

Both models retail for $79.99.

Microshift Sword front derailleur

The Sword front derailleur uses a bottom-pull design and is available in braze-on or 34.9mm band-on options.

The front derailleur is rated to work with a minimum 46t outer chainring and is compatible with up to a 52t. It’s only compatible with the Sword crankset because it uses larger 17t jumps between chainrings.

Microshift says the front derailleur should clear up to a 700c x 48mm gravel bike tyre on a frame with 142mm rear thru-axle spacing.

The Sword front derailleur retails for $28.99.

Microshift Sword cassette

Microshift says the four cassette options are made to be “as durable as possible”.

The brand says it has also paid attention to ensuring evenly spaced gear jumps and they all install onto a Shimano/SRAM HG freehub body.

1x drivetrains use the brand’s 11-48t Advent X cassette, whereas 2x drivetrains use a Sword-specific 11-38t cassette with a satin nickel finish.

The H-Series cassettes are the more cost-effective option and feature all-steel cogs.

The G-Series cassettes are more expensive because they feature an aluminium spider and largest cog to save weight.

Although there isn’t a namesake Sword chain, Microshift says most 10-speed chains (other than Campagnolo) will work well, endorsing KMC’s X10.

• Microshift Sword H-Series 11-38t cassette: $44.99
• Microshift Sword G-Series 11-38t cassette with Spider: $69.99
• Microshift Advent X H-Series 11-48t cassette: $44.99
• Microshift Advent X G-Series 11-48t cassette with Spider: $64.99

Microshift Sword crankset

Microshift says the Sword cranksets have been designed specifically to work with the rest of the groupset.

The cranksets are available in both single and double chainring options, with the single using a narrow-wide profile for improved chain retention.

They employ a 24mm spindle (the same as Shimano), which means they can be used with a wide range of bottom brackets on the market.

The 1x cranksets sport a 50mm chainline, whereas the 2x cranksets are 47mm.

Two 5mm pinch bolts attach the non-driveside arm to the spindle with a 6mm hex torque cap for bearing preload.

The 1x cranksets will be available with 40 and 42t chainrings and in 165, 170, 172.5 and 175mm crank lengths.

The 2x cranksets will be offered in 48/31t and 46/29t, also with the same crank length options.

Both cranksets use the same 100/80mm asymmetric BCD as Shimano, making it easy to swap between 1x or 2x cranksets (or use third-party rings).

All cranksets retail for $114.99.

Microshift Sword claimed weights