Taiwanese brand, MicroSHIFT have just launched two new drive trains, Advent and Advent X, the former is budget-busting whilst the latter is claimed to be lighter than Shimano XT whilst using a simpler 10 speed set up and producing a similar range. 

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Advent 1x9 speed

The Advent groupset is the cheaper 9 speed drivetrain that comes in either a 1x or 2x9 configuration. It's the former we'll be focusing on here, the 1x drivetrain comes with a wide ranging cassette using the following cog steps,11-13-15-18-21-24-28-34-42. 

There is a medium cage mech with a clutch and a trigger style shifter. The clutch on the mech can be engaged and disengaged much like on a Shimano mech and it can be adjusted (tightened) too, unlike current SRAM mechs. Unfortunately there are no claimed weight on either Advents website or that of the UK distributor Moore Large. The three items come in at £143, individual prices listed below. 

• MicroShift Advent 11-42T 9-Speed Cassette With Alloy Large Cog - £48
• MicroShift Advent Clutch Rear Derailleur for 1×9 Speed - £65
• MicroShift Advent 9 Speed XPress Shifter w/ Bearing - £30

Advent  1x10 speed

AdventX is a wide range 10 speed drivetrain offering a 11-48t spread of gears with mostly steel cogs, aside from the upper two alloy ones. The claimed weight of this cassette is 424g which is, indeed lighter than 12 spd Shimano XT, SRAM GX Eagle and SRAM NX Eagle, but then it does have two fewer cogs... The cassette uses the standard Shimano HG freehub body (not microspline) just like the cheaper SRAM NX and SX cassettes and also Sunrace ones and is compatible with any current 10spd chains. 

The mech, like the 9 spd version gets a rebuildable ratchet-and-pawl clutch but this time with larger pulley wheels for better chain retention. The shifter gets thumb/thumb actuation rather than thumb/index finger on the 9 speed. It has internal cartridge bearings allow for light lever throw and the Pro version pf the shifter gets rubber traction pads on the levers. 

Currently, we can't find the UK prices for the Advent X drivetrain but we have found to in USD - $ 167, so we reckon it comes in at just slightly more expensive than the 9 speed drivetrain above. 

For more info - www.microshift.com

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