Here is my review of the Forte gruppo. I'm no Shakespeare so I'm sorry in advance if the writing sucks.

I have been riding the "gruppo" (FD, RD, Shifters) for 770 miles. I wanted to put mileage on before doing a review so I could try to be as objective as possible. I got this grouppo for 3 reasons:
1. Cheap - $200 for all 3 pieces on sale
2. Light - claimed 674g for all 3 components
3. Crash worthy

FWIW - I have only ridden 9-speed 105 and 10-speed DA for comparison. No experience with Campy or SRAM. I have done maybe 5 races and many rides including hilly, flat, fast, and slow. I'd say the group has been tested under most normal conditions.

The Shifters:
One thing I was concerned about regarding the shifters was the size. I have small hands and need a smaller shifter. My favorite shifters of the past were the Shimano 9 speed ones. Anyway, got these mounted and they are just right. Size is slightly larger than Shimano 9-speed and slightly smaller than Shimano 10-speed. The shifters have a cheaper plastic feel to them and they rattle a little on bumpy roads. The internals seem fine and I haven't noticed any defects or flaws to date.

Microshift systems work a little differently than the big 3. There is a large paddle and a much smaller paddle for shifting. The actual brake lever does not move in the shifting process. Shifts are quick and as precise as I'd expect a $200 gruppo to be. Shifting is significantly louder than other systems I've used so if you're into stealthy ninja shifting these aren't for you. The front shifter has a great trim feature: both the big and small ring are allotted a trim setting (instead of just one). Some may have concerns with the cheap looking resemblance to SRAM Red in looks... personally I could care less.








Rear Deraileur:
When I built this bike up the first thing I did was bring it to the shop for deraileur adjustments. I got it back and it was ghost shifting like crazy. So, I broke down, bought a stand, and went to work wrenching. After some tweaks I got the system working just fine. Rear shifts are quick with no noticeable issues. The deraileur has held up well with nothing breaking or going bad as far as I know. After I was able to tweak it there have been no more issues with ghost shifting. Limiting screws seem accurate and barrel adjuster works.






Front Deraileur:
Front deraileur has worked well. No parts breakage or any noticable defects thus far. The shifts are quick and I haven't managed to throw the chain yet (and I did try). I do have a gripe that they don't include a barrel adjuster of some sort with the system. I have been able to get it working fine but those minor adjustments a barrel adjuster is good for are not an option for me with the stock set-up. The deraileur is braze-on. I had to get a clamp to be able to use it (no biggie but useful info). Like the rear, the limiting screws seem accurate.





I've been running the stock cables and housing. There have been no major issues. Overall, the system is on par with 105 I'd say. Works fine and will likely last a long time if maintained properly. Although shifts are quick, it's not as smooth as DA or any other high end system I'd imagine. I do wonder if better cables and housing would do much but I really have no reason to spend the money to find out. I recommend this group for those looking for something cheap and light. However, if you need pinpoint accuracy with shifts and lightning fast speed, then this is not the group for you. Also, if you have money to burn, I'd go with something else.

Hope this helps

Rob

Nice write up, I was considering this group to replace my lower end microshift group because I'm on a tight budget. Sounds like some decent stuff.

Thanks for the review, I haven't seen any until now.

How does it shift under pressure? I remember my Tiagra did not like to shift under pressure well, however, Rival works fine under hard (at least the RD). How does the actual shifting feel on the shifters.

I have the Microshift 8 x 3 on our tandem Lambo. I've been very impressed with them. As mentioned, they are not quiet, but the shifting is fast and precise. Of course, the 8 spd is a lot more forgiving than a 10 spd.

If I were going to put brifters on my old Trek, I would use the Microshift.

Thanks for the good info. I was leaning towards this exact set for my build because I can't afford new Shimano or Sram, and I'm skittish about buying used parts. From what you've said here it sounds like I'm heading in the right direction, particularly since I'm upgrading from beat up Shimano 2200 components. Thanks for the thorough review.

Might want to pick that fuzz out of your chain.

Is that faux-carbon fiber? Or is it the real deal?

Either way, if I have to upgrade my Sora/2200 Shimano gruppo (which works amazingly well, flawlessly actually on my triple believe it or not, even on hammerfest rides!), I'll probably replace it with this, as I want my bike to not be a theft-target since it is an occasional commuter/errand bike.

Great review Rob. Your Tsunami is the epitome of a bad ass budget race build, and it is awesome.

Can you shift the small upper paddle from the drops?

Great review. I've been looking to get the shifters for some time now but haven't been able to make the commitment until now. Can the shifters work with shimano FD and RD?

What shifters, other then Di2, are quiet? I can hear many a different shifter click and clang from just about every groupset on a group ride.

Yes, that's what I've been running for a couple of months. With Ultegra front and rear derailleurs that I had in the parts bin. Works great.

Works fine under pressure. I usually try to always be a gear ahead so my opinion may be irrelevant though.

Real deal.

Yeah. Took a little practice but I can do it fine now.

Let's just say these are louder than the other groups I've used.

Can you please stop typing gruppo... and if you say it out loud in real life... can you stop that too? You live in Santa Monica and 99% of BF doesn't speak Italian. Its a component GROUP.

Nice review

I prefer gruppo, and then next, groupset. Group is too generic

Gruppo to intentionally poke fun, groupset for being serious. IMO.

I've been using the same group and it works fine under pressure/climbing shifts. i've been running it since last november with no problems.

FD, RD, Shifters is hardly a "set".... no BB, Crank, Brakes?

I'm glad to see this. I'm really interested in building a budget race bike with brifters, from my downtube-shiftered old school steel race bike.

Worth a shot, from what I see.

A guppy is a fish. So is a grouper.

FYI.

Sorry to beat a dead horse but can you elaborate? Your reply implies that it's difficult or awkward. At the very least it appears to me that you have to move your hand to use that little paddle when you're in the drops, unlike Shimano or SRAM. That's the one thing stopping me from getting this group...ummm...these components.

True - not so "inexpensive" after adding those 3 essentials pieces.

Thanks for the review.

It is nice to know that the budget parts work. That is definitely useful info.

Good point. I'm using an 11-27 Ultegra casetts and a DA chain. Ultegra SL cranks/bb and TRP 920 brakes.

From the drops I just use 1 finger to hit the little paddle. I was used to Shimano and moving the entire assembly. I have very small hands and don't find it difficult - just an adjusment from the norm (like if you switched Shimano to SRAM or Campy - an adjustment period will probably be needed).

Hope that helps!