Forte/Microshift (Arsis) Group Review
 

1. this will be updated whenever something mentionable occurs
2. sorry, no pics

Components: shifters, rear derailleur, and front derailleur
---105 5600 53/39 crankset, franken-brakes, forte apollo wheels, steel frame


just finished setting this up; it will be primarily a commuter bike

Wrenching:

-Easy as other road components to install
-long throw, but nothing to ruin ride quality about
-would not recommend if you use the drops the frequently; i do on my other bikes, and shifting to a harder gear is too difficult for frequent use (while in the drops)
*if someone finds a way to extend the small shift paddle then riding in the drops will be much more reasonable...
-had read the fd was difficult to set up...not so. took me a while until i realized the crappy platform pedals i tossed on were making the noise/grinding.
-the trim (4 options) on the fd/left shifter are a little awkward. extra attention is needed when shifting
*im sure a learning curve reduces it

*I only did a quick around the block ride*

Reaction:

I would not recommend for riders that need or prefer the drops.
I had the fd surprise me: I did a few shifts that up front that were very smooth and quick.
-definite upgrade from Sora
-shift paddle position renders drop riding Sora-esque
-better shifting than tiagra: i.e., less resistance, faster, smoother, crisp
-hoods felt comfortable

-SOMEONE FIND A WAY TO LENGTHEN THE SHIFT PADDLE AND THIS COULD BE GOLD!

quick background on me:

i have ridden bikes with:

sora (fd, rd, shifters)
tiagra shifters
105 5600 shifters, rd, fd
ultegra 6600 rd
dura ace 7800 fd, rd, crankset, shifters, brakes

I was looking at Microshift for a budget build but found a takeoff Apex group with cranks, brakes etc. for maybe a little less all told....have yet to install. I'd be interested in hearing folk's thoughts on the relative merits of this level of components and comparisons to higher level groups.

FWIW, I have bikes with 97 Record 10 and 5600 and find the 105 works really well too.

Don't be fooled by the price nor the supplier of this group. It is no slouch. These are professional grade components used by the pro cycling team Exergy:
http://teamexergy.com/new/homepage/felt_f1/

I don't understand that. I have Microshift on two bikes, ride almost exclusively in the drops, and have no problem shifting even when racing other guys. I've done a bunch of 200k+ rides on them and they work great.

Though I spend about as much time in the drops as Lindsay Lohan spends at a Nobel class reunion, I rode my 8 speed Microshift to work today and also had no problem shifting from the drops. I prefer Microshift over any Shimano lever because of the ergonomics of shifting. It's not Sora, and it's not Tiagra and above, functionality-wise. I also have the Forte 9 speed group and concur with assessment of quality.

Where can you buy the entire Microshift Arsis group?

Microshift.biz - you can find sellers on eBay. I really don't like the Forte name or the Nashbar logo on my stuff, but remind myself it's how it works, not what it looks like. I communicated with them once, asking about where to buy 8 speed shifters, and they responded with a canned answer saying they'd get back to me. They never did. I ended up buying a BD Liberty 1 which had the 8 speed shifters, and am really happy with them. I even saw a white 10 speed group (shifters, FD, RD).

They're doing some interesting things with colors on their groups. The carbon Arsis group actually looks pretty sharp. The shifters and rear derailer especially.

from the bit of riding i did, it was not comfortable shifting down from the drops.

the small paddle is just a little small

i will commute on them today.http://austinontwowheels.org/wp-cont...is-300x267.jpg

Do the paddles have adjustbale reach?

Maybe it's the position of the levers on the bars or the angle. Could be the bar shape; I use all ergo-shape bars.

What's the most reputable retailer that sells Microshift stuff? I hate dealing with ebay small vendors.

hmm...dont know

i hate the ergo/anatomic bend. i have it set up on some old traditional drops, although i prefer compact bars.

1st Ride Reaction:

-although the throw is a little long, the front derailleur shifts beautifully. it is smooth and seamless.
-the throw required to shift is offset by the lack of resistance while shifting: it does not feel like you must shove or fight the paddles to move
-i think i really love the front shifting, again, minus the long throw
-shifting from the drops requires to bend my wrists up
---->the wrist bend should be fixable if there is a way to extend the small paddle
-not rattling heard from the shifters
-rear derailleur shifting is good*

*i focused too much on the sound of the rd, rather than the feel
-the lever distance feels closer than shimano paddles/shifters*
*this could be due to the shape of my bars

-again, i love the smooth/seamless feeling shifting in the fd...just dont like the long throw*
*if there is a way to thicken the paddle, then shifting would be glorious

Microshoft stuff works fine. I did a thorough review (use the search) and had no issues. I currently run the Nashbar shifters with a DA7800 gour with no issues. It works, and is super cheap.

i still have the same views: throw is a little long, but the fd shifting is F-ing beautiful (especially at the price). i might be getting a cyclocross frame soon, so the components will probably just be swapped over.

The issue of shifting from the drops is definitely related to the position and type of handlebars used. I had some issues shifting from the drops as well and if I moved shifters to where they were in a good position for shifting from the drops it made riding the hoods awkward.

An important question is how much the group costs, relative to a Shimano gruoup of similar price.

You guys must have itty bitty hands. I think it has more to do with being used to Shimano's monster paddles and learning how to use the smaller ones. Are those of you shifting from the drops racing, or is this just something you do on weekend rides/commutes? How much time do you spend in the drops to even make this an issue?

EDIT: And not to be contrary to the review, but I use Microshift because the throw on Shimano was far too long, no matter where you shift from. My MS setup has a super short throw.

i typically wear a Large in gloves; although my palms are a little big for my fingers.

most of my rides are under 2 or 2.5 hours. i typically focus on speed and do intervals.

i feel very comfortable in the drops, and typically will spend about %40-60 percent of the ride in the drops.

as i stated earlier, the bars i use were designed pre-brifters, so the set up is a little weird. i need to choose some new bars.

In reality the entire 10 speed group (suntour one) should cost $400 but they don't sell it in the states.

Here in Mexico these are the rough prices for the 10 speed suntour stuff:
Compact crankset (hollow bb like sram): $110
Cassette: $35
Chain: $35
FD: $40
RD:$45
Shifters: $120

Couldn't find the brakes. That's all including 16% tax so probably $400 for everything brakes included. In the US they sell the shifter, fd & rd for $220.

I have these shifters, front der. and rear der. on a bike. The group is marketed by Sunrace but is the Arsis Microshift. The thing works very well and I do have tiny hands. The downshift button from the drops is not an issue for me. However the upshift lever throw was making my hands ache. At 61 you have these issues. I found a solution to this problem. I taped pads about a quarter inch thick to the outside of the levers. It does not look very elegant but does work. It takes up the initial throw of the shift. I am going to try to get an exploded view of the shifters to see if the thing can be modified to have a shorter throw. The front der. took some work to get dialed in but works without issue. Have about 600 miles on the bike right now.

The cranks and cassette for this group were overpriced in my opinion. I like this group enough to put it on another build in the future. I bought the stuff on ebay without issues.

Ultegra and 105 cranks 6600 & 5600 respectively are easy enough to find for under $150 on the internet so at $ 150 for cranks, 120 for brifters and $70 total for the front and rear derailleurs you are at $340 add a 105 cassette and a sram chain for $75 and that just leaves us needing brakes which are a dime a dozen.

They cannot, however, they CAN be completely and easily disassembled, lubricated, and re-assembled. You do need a modicum of mechanical skill, and a small stainless steel tube that's 1.8mm ID to hold the last spring on reassembly. The tube is easily sourced from McMaster-Carr.