Microshift Advent MX 11-speed review: forget the big brands, this is the drivetrain your ebike needs

Microshift’s Advent range has built a strong reputation around simplicity, durability and reliability. It’s designed for riders and brands who prioritise entry-level function over low weight or race-focused refinement. 

With the introduction of Advent MX, Microshift is aiming to take its philosophy into aggressive trail and enduro riding. It's targeting riders who demand impressive shifting performance and resilience from a drivetrain rather than accepting a compromise between the two.

Microshift says its goal is clear: retain the strength and tolerance advantages of wider chain spacing while improving shift speed and engagement under load. 

Microshift describes the 11-speed Advent MX platform as a complete redesign of its mountain bike drivetrain architecture, aimed at riders pushing themselves in harder terrain and with higher loads than the original 10-speed Advent platform was intended to handle.

The new groupset is priced at $244.99 / €239.99.

• Read more: Mountain bike groupsets – everything you need to know

Microshift Advent MX 11-speed spec details

The new Advent MX is available in 10- and 11-speed options. I’ve been testing its 11-speed system, built around an 11-50t cassette delivering a 455 per cent gear range. It features 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 36, 42 and 50t sprockets across its 11 gears, positioning it against other wide-range 11-speed systems and competing with modern 12-speed drivetrains. 

The new CS-XD116 11-50 cassette introduces Microshift’s new 'Speedramp' tooth profiling, featuring dedicated upshift and downshift ramps intended to reduce hesitation during gear changes. 

With a claimed total of 64 ramps across the cassette, the design is intended to maintain consistent shift timing even under pedalling load.

Durability is also a key theme, with 11-28t cogs constructed from thicker chromoly steel for increased wear resistance, and replaceable smaller cogs designed to extend overall cassette lifespan.

The 32-36t sprockets are steel, while the 42-50t cogs are aluminium – the same material as the cassette body. The cassette features both HG and XD driver options to broaden compatibility across existing wheelsets, which is a nice touch. 

My test cassette tipped the scales at 550g. That’s similar to Shimano’s 12-speed SLX cassette and lighter than SRAM’s SX and NX options. 

The new rear derailleur reflects this shift in focus. A redesigned horizontal parallelogram separates chain retention forces from shifting movement, enabling the derailleur to maintain chain control without compromising shift accuracy.

A claimed increased structural rigidity is achieved through the use of IGUS bushings, while the retuned clutch mechanism is intended to provide stronger chain stabilisation with improved longevity. 

Convenient servicing remains central to the design, with a replaceable cage, serviceable clutch assembly and revised cable routing designed to reduce friction and extend cable life.

Sealed bearing pulleys further reinforce the drivetrain’s durability. I weighed the derailleur at 355g – a touch heavier than Shimano’s Deore and similar to SRAM’s NX Eagle equivalents. This derailleur uses a traditional hanger to attach it to the frame, not a direct-mount system such as SRAM’s latest Eagle 70 and 90. 

Completing the system is a redesigned trigger shifter, which Microshift claims delivers four times faster shift engagement compared to Advent X. 

A removable clamp provides 10mm of lateral adjustment and enables riders to fine-tune lever position without compromising brake integration. I weighed this at 133g. 

Advent MX will compete with drivetrains such as Shimano Deore/SLX and SRAM NX Eagle, while offering an alternative for riders who value robustness and serviceability over the tighter tolerances and increased maintenance demands of 12-speed systems. 

Rather than chasing the lightest or most complex solution, Advent MX appears to be aimed at aggressive trail, enduro and eMTB riders looking for reliable shifting performance in demanding conditions.

Microshift Advent MX 11-speed performance

I fitted the derailleur, shifter and cassette with a KMC eGlide 11-speed chain to a Marin Alpine Trail XR enduro bike and a Vitus E-Mythique LT eMTB to see how it performs. Testing took place during a very wet couple of weeks around the Forest of Dean and South Wales.

The test rides were a mix of winch-and-plummet enduro laps on naturally tech trails and man-made trail-centre loops to give this setup a wide range of tasks covering most riding situations it’ll encounter. 

Installation and setup

Installation is mostly straightforward, and the derailleur and shifter mount and adjust easily, while cable routing is well thought out.

Threading the cable through the derailleur is slightly easier with the bike upside-down, but overall setup is simple and intuitive. Cable fastening is secure and logical, and once the tension is set the system doesn’t feel overly sensitive to small adjustments.

The B-tension and limit screws are easy to access and respond predictably using a standard 3mm Allen key, making initial setup quick. The shifter’s two-position adjustment takes a little more time to reach and set correctly, but once dialled in it’s effectively a fit-and-forget process.

The only part of the installation that stands out is the XD driver cassette interface. The cassette uses three grub screws to lock it in place against the freehub body. This system works securely, but is more fiddly and time-consuming than SRAM’s XD, or Shimano’s Microspline or HG systems. It’s not difficult, but it adds an extra step compared to more familiar cassette installations.

I can also see an issue if you need to remove the cassette after extended use – the small grub screws will be filled with drivetrain gunk and won’t be simple to clean. 

Shifting performance

Out on the trail, Advent MX stands out immediately for how quickly and cleanly it shifts. 

Upshifts and downshifts are crisp and immediate, and the two-gear multi-click function is particularly useful. 

Faced with sudden changes of gradient or the exit of slow corners, it’s easy to click through two gears without the drivetrain protesting or crunching under load. This remains true on ebikes, where torque loads are higher. 

Shifting uphill, or changing gear mid-sprint, the drivetrain continues to shift cleanly without hesitation. The chain moves onto the next cog decisively and settles immediately, without the bouncing, scrabbling or searching feeling some drivetrains exhibit when not set up precisely. 

Microshift has done an excellent job of delivering reliable, fast gear changes without the drivetrain moaning and groaning. It rivals SRAM’s latest Eagle 90 in terms of shift reliability. 

Noise, stability and chain control

One of the system's most noticeable characteristics is how quiet it is. 

In wet, muddy conditions in which drivetrains often become noisy – a place where Shimano’s 12-speed range often falls short – the chain runs smoothly across the cassette with very little mechanical noise. There’s no grinding or clicking even when riding in severely wet conditions.

The clutch supplies a tension that delivers impressive chain retention, keeping the derailleur quiet and predictable over rough terrain. However, it doesn’t make the shifting feel stiff, or as though you’re having to battle against the clutch. 

On fast, rough descents and braking bumps, chain slap is well controlled and drivetrain noise stays low, contributing to a calm and composed ride feel rather than drawing attention to itself.

Shifter feel and ergonomics

The shifter feels positive and precise. There’s a definitive click to each shift, removing any doubts about gear selection. 

The lever action isn’t quite as light as SRAM's Eagle systems, but the added resistance gives a clearer sense of engagement and avoids the vagueness lighter systems can sometimes exhibit. 

It feels similar to a Shimano 12-speed system in that regard. 

Ergonomically, the lever is easy to reach and both levels are in an intuitive location. Overall, the lever feels robust and stiff, providing a reassuringly premium feel. 

Cassette range and gear spacing

The cassette follows a gearing philosophy closer to SRAM than Shimano, with an 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 36, 42 and 50t spread. 

The jump from 42t to 50t is noticeable; that 8-tooth step makes the 50t feel like a true bailout gear rather than part of a smooth, evenly stepped climbing progression.

Riders who are particular about maintaining a steady cadence on long, sustained climbs will likely prefer Shimano’s tighter spacing – and that would be my preference, too.

That said, the Advent MX cassette still does what it needs to do: it gets you up the hill. While it doesn’t match Shimano’s 51t or SRAM Eagle’s 52t top sprocket, there’s enough range here to grind up most climbs your legs and lungs are willing to attempt. In practical terms, I never felt short of climbing gear.

Where the cassette really shines is in the mid-range. On rolling terrain and when accelerating hard out of corners, the steps between gears feel consistent and well-judged. 

You’re not continually hunting for the 'perfect' ratio or overusing the shifter to compensate for awkward gaps. And when you shift, the change happens quickly and cleanly.

On paper, the total range is 455 per cent, compared to around 510 per cent for Shimano 12-speed and 520 per cent for SRAM Eagle.

However, out on the trail, that difference mattered less than I expected. Paired with a 32t chainring on a trail bike and a 36t on an eMTB, I didn’t find myself spinning out in the 11t, nor wishing for more at the top end. Equally, I rarely felt under-geared on climbs.

In fact, I didn’t really notice that I had 'only' 11 gears. I could sit and pedal comfortably, always finding a ratio that suited the gradient and terrain.

At the sharp end of XC racing, where marginal cadence control and maximum range can make a measurable difference, a 12-speed system may still hold an advantage. But for the majority of trail and enduro riding, this setup met my pedalling needs without compromise.

Personally, Shimano’s cassette progression still feels more natural for sustained climbing efforts, but in regular riding, the Advent MX gearing works effectively and feels well considered for its purpose.

Durability and intended use

Advent MX feels most at home in situations where reliability matters more than cadence perfection. 

Wet-weather riding, bike-park laps, ebike use and high-mileage trail riding suit its character well. The drivetrain stays quiet, shifts consistently under load, and doesn’t feel overly sensitive to dirt or changing conditions.

Riders looking for the perfect cadence or minimal weight may want to look elsewhere. But for those who want usable gears, strong shifting performance and a solid cost-to-performance ratio, it makes a lot of sense.

Long-term durability

I've only had the gearing fitted for a couple of weeks due to early sample availability, so it’s difficult to comment on how well it’ll hold up over time and extended use.

Performance and consistency have remained impressive during this time, though. I plan on updating this review once I’ve had more time with the drivetrain. 

Microshift Advent MX 11-speed bottom line

Microshift Advent MX delivers on its goal of combining fast and dependable shifting. It may not offer the refined cadence control of Shimano’s cassette range or the latest technology, but it excels where many drivetrains struggle – real-world riding in poor conditions and under heavy loads. 

For trail and enduro riders, park riders and eMTBers who want a drivetrain that works consistently without constant adjustment, Advent MX is a practical and well-executed option.