What can anyone tell me about Microshift 11 speed flat bar shifters? I have used Shimano and SRAM rapid fire type shifters for many years, and am considering a flat bar bike with Microshift shifters. None of my local shops keep any bikes in stock with this shifter, so I can see or use them prior to ordering the bike. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

To my knowledge Microshift hasn't released any 11 speed shifters, with exception of the 11 speed bar end TT shifters. It will likely be next spring before they are available.

They are spec'ed on the 2015 Specialized Sirrus Expert Carbon. Does anyone have experience with any Microshift shifters?

I replaced the twist shifters on my Trek with Microshift. My new Fuji has Shimano triggers but I have to say the Microshift brand are much better. I would be very interested in the 11 speed.

Unless you compare equivalent shifters, I would NOT say the Microshift as a brand is better. Shimano has proven itself time and time again. Your Trek and Fuji may have Shimano shifters but they are no doubt on the lower end.

OK, to clarify, the MicroShift Thumb Tap Trigger Shifters 3 x 7 TS50-7 UPC 822051013699 that I paid $16.00 for, outperform the Shimano Sora trigger shifters on my 2013 Fuji Absolute 1.3

Different bikes, different drivetrains. Come back when you upgrade your Sora shifters with Microshift.

I somehow expected the drivetrain on a new bike to shift better than a 12 year old hammered Trek that I bought on craigslist for $100.00 and had to put shifters and tires on. I was very pleasantly surprised at how easy they were to install and adjust. They came with new cables attached. I only note that because the LBS says my problem may be "cable stretch" which should improve. Apparently MicroShift cables do not stretch.

Not to belabor the point, but aside from plasticy feel of shifting with the Sora, what is so inferior about them?

As for cable stretch, you just may have to adjust the derailleurs for cable stretch as time goes by (unless you have already owned the Microshifts for a while). Cable stretch should not improve anything. New cables will shift perfectly and as they stretch, gradually make shifting worse--they will turn a properly adjusted drivetrain into one that does not shift properly and will need to be adjusted--usually loosening up the adjustment barrels. If your Absolute is new, it should shift perfectly unless it is not adjusted properly or components are damaged.

Not at all trying to argue or pick a fight. Not at all an expert on bikes, just judging by my narrow experience. I am a gunsmith and a luthier by hobby, also I repair, service, and train on large offset web and sheetfed printing presses and grand format UV printers as part of my job. I only mention that because I am mechanically skilled and do have enough capacity to comprehend how a derailleur functions.
Perhaps I was just lucky with the MicroShifters because they shift very quickly and positively and feel secure and solid. Upshifting to smaller cogs is one click per shift every time. The Sora drivetrain when up shifting sometimes takes one click sometimes two. Moving from the middle of the cassette to the outside requires a couple of clicks worth of front derailleur movement to prevent rubbing. You have to pay attention to the sound of the chain going over the cassette because many times it seems as if it is "on the verge" of going to another cog. It will not hold on one gear for a long time, requires periodic trimming to stay in place. If the cable barrel is tightened any more it will not shift into the 11.

Not trying to pick a fight either. I am not an expert either but am mechanically inclined and have learned a lot the past few years.

Sounds like your drivetrain has an adjustment problem. I've had Shimano EF50 8 speed, Alivio 8 speed, R440 9 speed, and R770 10 speed that all worked fine--the difference in the higher end being smoothness, quickness, effort and feel. But they all worked. Sounds like both your front and rear derailleurs need adjustment.

My experience: my 2011 Felt Z6 came with Microshifters as the stock shifters.

They were Loud! I called them my shotgun shifters; great for alerting others on the trail :-)

But, they caused me a lot of pain in my right middle finger, which was finger it felt most natural to use. I had to consciously (it wasn't too hard, pain will do that) force myself to use my index finger to shift.

I replaced them w/105s from Shimano and haven't looked back.

If the cable is now stretched, just turn the barrel adjuster back in, undo the cable bolt on the derailleur, and reset the cable. If the shifter and derailleur have the same actuation, the problem should be solved.

I'm using Microshift 10 speed brifters with their derailleurs on my cyclocross bike. They are not the quality of Dura-Ace or Record, but they work just fine. They are loud and clunky, and I could understand someone getting a sore finger with them. Mostly, I have found that their detractors are snobs who have never actually tried them and assume that for the price they must be junk. I wouldn't put them on a "high class" bike that is meant for showing off at the coffee stop, but for what I use them for, I am happy and would buy them again.

Ditto!