Unboxing: microSHIFT Centos 11 Groupset

dmartyn wrote:

so when does the full review come out Jack? Pretty keen to hear what you think of the groupset in action.

For my sins the editorial team bunged them my way, they've just gone on to the steel bike replacing a 9-speed Tiagra setup - w00t, no more external shift cables. My first impression is - how can this cost £320 RRP? It feels like Campy Athena, maybe a bit better.

First ride tomorrow.

KiwiMike wrote:

dmartyn wrote:

so when does the full review come out Jack? Pretty keen to hear what you think of the groupset in action.

For my sins the editorial team bunged them my way, they've just gone on to the steel bike replacing a 9-speed Tiagra setup - w00t, no more external shift cables. My first impression is - how can this cost £320 RRP? It feels like Campy Athena, maybe a bit better.

 

First ride tomorrow.

£320 seems a bit high for what it is, no brakes, BB, crankset etc. They can be found on other sites for quite cheap. So what are your thoughts? Thinking of upgrading my ultegra 10 speed but waiting for a road.cc review. I trust you guys!

Jamminatrix wrote:

****Compatible with Shimano**** You need to clarify which Shimano era. Microshift 10spd stuff worked with the older cable pull Shimano​ (7900, 6700, 5700), but not with new 11spd Shimano (9000, 6800, 5800). Just looking at the pictures of the front derailleur, it looks low swing like older Shimano and not newer stuff.

I can confirm this groupset and the Arsis model will work with the newer 11 speed Shimano groupset should you wish to mix and match. I used the front shifters with an 6800 Ultegra rear mech for a short time whilst waiting for my matching rear mech to arrive from Taiwan and it worked just fine.

One thing I will mention is that the front mech trim function of the levers from Microshift does have slightly more movement/ adjustment so when using a Shimano Ultegra 6800 front mech I had to adjust it a bit more to stop chain rub in places- this was resolved when I swapped over to the Microshift front mech.

hope this helps.

srchar wrote:

Unboxing vids, what is this, macworld?

I'm still none the wiser about how the lever arrangement works.

Does seem a little odd, until you realise that it's a great way to show various bits of a product that a simple set of photos can't.

That said, Road.cc need to take a look at what a good unboxing video contains ... a man sat on a sofa waving something around in the distance doesn't really cut it.

Ratfink wrote:

What are they like for comfort?

This is subjective, I found the hood shape to be more comfortable for me( it's slightly slimmer in profile to Shimano Ultegra)and I also like the textured surface underneath the hoods which provided enhanced grip in wet weather. 

Drpepper99uk wrote:

Hi,

 

I have the 11 speed Arsis which is carbon wrapped on the shifters and front/rear mech and no different mechanically to the Centos model.(yes you can laugh at the name) on a current road bike and it's great. The video as mentioned does give confusing info which is annoying considering it's supposed to be giving factual infomation and promoting awareness of the brand. I'm probably only a handful of people in the U.K actually using it and it does give cause for laughter when I mention the name of it) I actually swapped my Ultegra 6800 groupset over to this and wouldn't look back despite the raised eyebrows.

 

My groupset allows for upto 4 shifts down the cassette using the paddle, and 3 up using the thumb shifter. It's compatible with both Shimano and Sram components(chains, cassettes) and it's been excellent to use. I have actually produced a few video's of it working on youtube as there is such little info around on the net about the Microshift road groupsets I thought it might help those elsewhere in the world looking to purchase it. The shifting can be best described as "positive" like campy....if you're after a smooth sweeping action of levers like Ultegra and silent rear shifts then look elsewhere!! I couldn't get used to it at first, however it's now not even thought about and I actually prefer the click/gear in approach.

 

I bought my shifters and front mech from a U.K seller(sadly no longer around) but I had to source the rear derailleur of Ebay of all places from a seller in Taiwan! The brand does have quite a few pro teams using it at national level(Jelly-Belly being one) so it's had plenty of chances to be used on all levels and if it's good enough for them, it was good enough for me. Sadly the big 3 have been around long enough and i'd hazard a guess most ridiers would be weary of trying something else out of the norm to what they would otherwise consider...

 

Availability is also an issue, as mentioned above venturing into the unknown is a stopping point for many but also supply....I'd be interested to know if Jack sourced this groupset directly from Microshift themselves.

Microshift are between distributor in the UK currently I think as it used to be Upgrade bikes but I think it's now Moore Large

Freddy56 wrote:

Forme had them on bikes a few years ago and our local shop just count shift them, People are sheep and want what works and what more experienced riders have. 

It's sheepish to "want what works" and to emulate more experienced riders?

Why should people gamble their hard-earned money for something unproven, which may prove more trouble than it is worth, and cause them to give up cycling as too much bother?