11 SPEED FOR £45! Can these mystery shifters rival Shimano?

How do these dirt cheap 2x11 speed shifters from AliExpress perform, and can they rival similar offerings from Shimano?
Let’s face it, 11 speed groupsets from Shimano like 105, Ultegra, or Dura-Ace, are still pretty premium offerings, so I have always been on the lookout for a decent budget option for my carbon road bike. In early 2020 I tested out the Sensah Empire 2x11 groupset, and for only £80 I really wanted it to succeed, but after 500 miles the left shifter broke while I was out on a ride. Not particularly impressive. However, soon after I found an 11-speed shifter by a ‘brand’ called MicroNew on AliExpress.
They look identical to shifter produced by a Taiwanese brand called MicroShift, but MicroShift do not produce an 11 speed version in this particular design, so the lineage of these shifters is a bit of a mystery. However, I’ve been testing them for the last 4 or 5 months, and they have honestly exceeded all my initial expectations.
They are not quite up to the same standards as 105 R7000 shifters, but they are super cheap, lightweight, shift nicely, and feel great on the bike. I think they could be a great budget option for those looking to upgrade from an older Claris, Sora, or even Tiagra groupset.
So in this video, I go into detail about these shifters, show you the pro’s and con’s, and give you my overall opinion. Spoiler alert, they are pretty flippin’ decent!!
Got any questions or comments, stick them in the comments 👇 and I'll try and get back to as many of you as I can!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Start
01:09 - Intro
02:55 - Shifter Reveal
04:56 - Closeup
06:37 - Function
07:35 - Performance
13:20 - Considerations
14:50 - Compatibility
18:16 - Conclusion
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - www.go2dev.co.uk
Music:
Birocratic (birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)
Fresh Healthy Perspectives
Lakey Inspired ( / lakeyinspired )
In My Dreams, The Process
Noir Et Blanc Vie ( / billyocean2185 )
Still Not Rite, MydNyte
About Trace Velo:
I love cycling, and I love getting pro cycling kit for less. If it’s cheap, from China, and made of carbon fibre, I’m interested!
Instagram:
/ tracevelo
Email:
[e-mail]
Please note:
All products demonstrated in this video have been purchased by me, and I have no affiliation to any of the sellers or vendors shown.
In addition, I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!

[@ThijnCycling]

This intro is gold! Dont ever stop posting!

[@TraceVelo]

Awesome, thanks Mulder! I think the speedo goggles really made it pop :P

[@ThijnCycling]

@@TraceVelo you made my day with this intro! Very good comedy =)

[@RainMan52]

Speedo should have sponsored you after that. Their lost!

[@rushikeshtapre8620]

@@TraceVelo 😎

[@jasonreynolds1715]

Brilliant intro - the best on KZbin

[@TraceVelo]

Thanks Jason! Yeah, putting this intro together took far longer than i care to admit :P

[@simonbradley7031]

@@TraceVelo the speedos 😄😄

[@philiplamprecht513]

@@TraceVelo Dude I just started the video and I'm dying 😂. Your intros are continually getting better, my man!

[@petereverett1455]

The outro was good too

[@tnikos777]

It was epic intro, thanks a lot 🤣🤣🤣

[@ZizBauer]

The speedo goggles got me

[@realalbertan]

Those are the worst goggles. Go to a kids meet and see how often that they come off on the start and end up in the mouth of some poor kid

[@mahiru20ten]

@@realalbertan Well, those goggles are better off for swimming, not for cycling...

[@realalbertan]

@@mahiru20ten they work best as part of a Halloween costume

[@aravnjak]

I have those exact goggles and they perform really well. :)

[@miguelduenas1045]

This channel proves that cycling doesn’t always have to be expensive. I bought the R7 variant and all I can say is that they have been performing well ever since. I love how it shifts and how it feels. Though they look a bit cheap, it doesn’t matter because it performs so well! Thanks for this Trace Velo!

[@justinsensing494]

How's the longterm review? Is the durability decent?

[@TryboBike]

The crisp shifting action is there because of the 'whiskers' - that is, exposed shift cables. This creates nice and smooth housing to the rear mech. With shifters which hide the cable under the bar tape there is a ton of extra friction because of tight curves around the bar. Had that problem with MicroSHIFT Arsis 11 and currently with Sensah Empire Pro ( 12 speed ). Whiskers might look poorly, but shift superbly. EDIT: The Micro-new rear mech is _obviously_ not close enough to the cassette ( the b-gap was too high ). Whence came poor shifting. In practice - you want the guide pulley to be within ~5-10 mm below the largest cog on the cassette.

[@tucksengwong1932]

The 11speed Micro-new RD is not working because the unit u ordered is for MTB so it copies the Shimano Deore 11sp RD shift ratio of 1.1 while your R11 Micronew shifter's copies the Shimano Road Bike 11 speed shift ratio of 1.4. I have not come across a Micronew 11 speed Roadbike RD, but their 10 speed Road RD and R10 shifter is only compatible with the old 10 speed Shimano Shift Ratio of 1.7. Hence Tiagra 4700 series which uses the new Shimano 10 speed shift ratio of 1.4 (same as Shimano RB-11speed) is not compatible with R10 Shifters.

[@M.F.Hafizhan]

@@tucksengwong1932 hey, where did you find infos on micronew shifters' shift ratio? I'd like to check them myself so that i can make an informed decision before i even consider buying them

[@ChaseWilliamson11]

The water bottle on the intro was a nice touch.

[@TraceVelo]

Ahh, man a of culture I see. But yeah threw that in last minute :P

[@julianpritzwald-stegmann9766]

I had the R7 (7 speed) version of these shifters and they were brilliant. Great build quality. Would recommend.

[@TraceVelo]

Great to hear!

[@sportbootjo]

One part inside the 7speed Shimano RSX shifter for the front derailleur broke and I couldn´t change into the big ring any more. Try to find a replacement on ebay to keep the late 80´s look of my Koga Miata Roadwinner but only used stuff for twice as much as a new MircoNew / MircoShift R7 combo on Aliexpress. So I ordered one R7 Brifter set, installation was easy, no problem, shifting is fine with the original Shimano 600 tricolor front derailleur. Keep your eyes open as they offer different version for double / triple chainring

[@chadedwards6992]

I too have the R7 version paired with a late 80's Shimano Exage front and rear derailleur. They work great!

[@sirfolajomi]

Currently using this as well. Sweet!

[@hypermaniksk534]

Thanks!!! I wanted to buy these for my bike, but i have seen almost no reviews (The R7)

[@SuperTrullala]

Who came up with the name „Arsis“ for their 11s shifters at microshift? 😂

[@glennoc8585]

Same person that put an 'f' in Microsoft😄

[@MrThearijal]

I've used that shifter the 2x7 speed the R7. I was only using Tourney RD, it was super rigid, crisp, accurate, rubber is thick yet soft and grippy. Super excellent

[@luigibrioschi970]

I have been longing for a new video! I'm sure I won't be disappointed in liking it before even watching it!

[@morrisnieuwenhuis2535]

I installed these (R9 9s version) on my girlfriends bike. They work great and a bike mechanic who did some adjustment on them recently said they felt better then the new finicky Shimano stuff. He said the shifting on these felt more robust and I agree they feel reassuring. The hoods and grips feel less ergonomic and natural to grip than the latest 105 generation that I tested. The hoods are big stomps, great for holding on to like you said, but a bit clumsy. Then again, they are cheap.. Great video dude!

[@TraceVelo]

Thanks Morris! Yeah i was definitely impressed with them myself, and i agree about the look of them. They definitaly look a bit low budget compared to 105 R7000, but in terms of ergonomics and what they feel like to use, i actually really like them!

[@StopaskingformynameYouTube]

I'm amazed that you don't have more subscribers, this is one of my favorite channels.

[@tinman7551]

utterly AMAZING intro Luke. I fricken love this video :D you just keep getting better at this ! XoxoXo

[@AirwolfCrazy]

I have enjoyed your videos. They have helped me gather information to build a bike instead of purchasing a completed one. I have ordered a bunch of parts and the frame. Some things have arrived but still waiting for others including the frame. Looking forward to your next video.

[@shapes2000]

You make everything sound interesting, thanks for another entertaining video!

[@johnmcgovern5372]

Thanks for this video Trace. I've been looking at these shifters for a while and I've just been waiting for someone I trust to do a video on them. I've ordered a set today.

[@TraceVelo]

Nice, I recon you won't be disappointed!!!

[@SKULXGAMEZ]

The quality of these videos are just getting better and better, love it.

[@zak7501]

Your videos are the absolute best. The intro was amazing

[@kenblair2538]

Wow ! Another video. I've been using MicroNew 9 speed shifters with a Sora groupset , for 1000K+ miles. Absolutely , no issues. These are on my light climbing bike. Yes, the gear cables come out the sides,(old school), but i"m not a pro, just love climbing. I was considering the Sensa 1x11, as an upgrade to my climbing bike, but now I'm reconsidering. I hadn't realized, that MicroNew made a 11 speed groupset. Thanks for all the info. Keep up the great work KB.

[@bradywhite176]

This intro is so amazing! You are a force for good in the universe.

[@janmichaelnavarro1916]

Been waiting for your new video this whole quarantine

[@VishalPatel-eb2ls]

Always get excited to see you’ve uploaded a new video... but now that intro! Mind blown!

[@TraceVelo]

Glad you like it!

[@xxMattyIcexx]

The intro was very clever! I've been watching for almost a year now and I just realized I haven't subscribed, so to you sir, I click the red button!

[@333KINGPIN33]

I am so glad I found your channel that teaches and informs the building of very affordable bikes. Living in a city with a lot of avid cyclists riding in Cannondale, Bianchi and Pinarello, I thought it would be neat to try and take their KOMs with a budget build. In Strava, I shall name the bike "Alibaba" or "Trace Velo" :)

[@rickgreham6559]

That is a WICKED AMAZING INTRO! This is the best intro i've seen in a LONG TIME. Serious kudos!

[@Heleninhalinda176]

FINALLY, THANK GOD, I WAS COMMENTING ON EVERY VIDEO ABOUT THESE LUKE, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS I'VE BEEN THROUGH SINCE?

[@TraceVelo]

I'm sorry you had to go through that Gabriel 😂. Basically I wanted to make sure they weren't going to straight up break on me like the Sensah set did! Anyway I hope it was worth the wait!

[@Heleninhalinda176]

Definetly worth it, your content is simply amazing man

[@kevinjfeeney77]

Love my MicroNEWs! Have them on three bikes! Solid brifters for the price. Yes, they're external shift routed....but I don't care...

[@zyghom]

I don't care if your next video is about the air in your tubes or the colour of the bartape - I simply enjoy your shows ;-)

[@BenitoAndito]

Smashed the like button with the force of 10,000 suns with that intro. Simply the best

[@migybarran1423]

U outdid yourself with that intro.... great content as always mate. Keep it coming ‼️🚴‍♂️

[@indorock]

Morpheus with the Speedo swim goggles is not to be trifled with

[@TraceVelo]

Speedo Swim Goggles: The only sensible choice for a high budget matrix parody

[@joshuabuilds3051]

Man i used to hate your enthusiasm but its growing on me. Keep on.

[@pushthepro]

I have the 7 speed version of this on my roadbike, and I've been using them for more than a year now. I chose it for the price, and they are doing their job perfectly fine. Shift feel is pretty good imo, and I'd definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to start roadbiking on the cheap.

[@miguelduenas1045]

What about after 2 years of using it? Is it still great? I ordered one and still waiting for them to arrive, your update will be highly appreciated :)

[@pushthepro]

@@miguelduenas1045 they are still doing great. I have switched the 7s out to an 8s of the same one, simply because I had the opportunity, so I put the 7s into another project where it lives happily still. I'd recommend them for a good budget build.

[@miguelduenas1045]

@@pushthepro Thanks a lot! Excited to get mine next week! Btw, what rd are you using?

[@leeburford2385]

Great video as always Luke! Welcome to Cornwall.... Some great riding down here!

[@p504504]

The intro is.... As always... GODDAMN HILLARIOUS. You are a legend Trace.

[@giannitiratelli8005]

Not one for commenting ever but God your stuff is good!! Honestly great content, amazing production with funny, not up your arse, insightful commentary, love it mate :) maybe see you zooming around south on some Chinese carbon some time :)

[@LScott97]

Great roller video demo part! Smart!👍👍👍

Stellar job, mate! Cracked hard during that intro!

[@frostytf2]

Quality videos that feel worth the time and not just a click grab :) Keep up the work!

[@mrkastratorr]

love your videos neo! dont stop with the bants either, sending love from toronto!

[@kerapp]

Luke! Great vid! I have the 3x7 MicroNew shifters on my hybrid to trail/CX conversion bike and I love them! I like the button setup. Very intuitive. I like the way they shift better than my Campy Athena 2x8 shifters. The front one-click on the MicroNew is so much nicer than the 3-clicks on the Campy. The rear indexing is crisp and spot-on! Thanks and keep up the good, informative, and entertaining content!

[@johnflynn4923]

Informative and with a 10/10 intro!

[@taufiqpratama2657]

🤣 i love the intro man, great work, kind of considering this shifter after your review

[@zanyarahmad2034]

I have bought a pair of SENSAH IGNITE shifters 5 month ago after around 2000km still holding up pretty well. Cool intro by the way keep it going

[@robsampson4971]

Great vids awesome vids.hope your enjoying the cornish weather apart from that love it there nice and scenic for rides

[@curranwtube]

good review - thanx . i bought the micronew 3x9. they are now installed and working quite well. seems well constructed

[@jbrew44]

The quality of your videos is great!

[@delend456]

Dare I say, this might be your best intro so far? Top stuff!

[@andyc9187]

Nice review, really enjoyed it. Especially the bit of footage in London. Very similar to the old Shimano Sti design.

[@PayneDeathz]

Production quality has gone up with the intro! I'm proud of you Luke!

[@TraceVelo]

Appreciate it!

[@w.1929]

Intro was super! As was the rest of the video! Keep it going pls!!

[@jiscnaclo6]

Love your content. I'm waiting for the trifox frame review. Tempted to buy a Trifox frame

[@rvmalano5023]

bought this shifter and the experience was amazing. thanks a lot 💯💯

[@dmax747]

Great intro Luke... great vid as usual...

[@nemonemo9407]

More great stuff Luke. Love the collapsing rear mech, you couldn't make it up!

[@TraceVelo]

Exactly, that rear mech is total trash! 😂

[@tonylopez2675]

Feakin' AWESOME intro bro!!!

[@kris4645]

Definitely original intro!! Cool dude, Luke 😎🙂

[@RDTanZ]

+1 on the microshift-style shift mechanisms & action. My R9s have been perfect for years. Maybe I will upgrade to micronew R11. Thanks for the always entertaining content.

[@richlijacanacua]

Thanks for the honest review!

[@tomasfuk8538]

You're the hero we don't deserve.

[@mnchf2417]

So much fun to watch your productions! Great intro, content, dynamics, everything! Thank you Luc

[@hedleykerr3564]

I have 3 sets of Microshift Arsis carbon 11speed shifters with Ft&R derailleur($250)set! They shift very well and are lighter than DA. also both cables are routed through the side now. Another great job thanks Luke!

[@hnjmlr3316]

Thank you for the review Im also new here love from the Philippines!

[@humstrumbangtwang]

The best intro ever on a cycling video. Cornwall to Hyde Park Corner is one hell of a lockdown exercise ride. Your multi cam shifting demo was also the best I’ve ever seen. GCN keep giving jobs to ex pro riders and it’s all so predictable. When will they take notice and give you the gig? Well done.

[@mcclausky]

Always fun and interesting videos! I also enjoyed finding Phoebe Buffay jogging at 14:39 😁

[@fishermanmitch1]

Thank you for this video. I have been on the fence for these shifters or older 105's. I cant afford new shimano, so I'm gonna give these a go. Very helpful video, and yeah the intro was good.

[@rodcosta2345]

Brilliant intro mate! Cheers!

[@geewhizzzz9387]

A very comprehensive but not boring vid man. Here's my like and sub.. :D

[@TraceVelo]

NOICE!!! thanks dude

[@db613]

This may be the first KZbin bike review that is nominated for an Emmy🤣

[@peyator]

The intro deserves a subscription from my primary account.

[@marsallefrancisco4851]

The into was brilliant! You nailed the movie texture look.It seemed like a actual movie.

[@Mihai-Marian-Cenusa]

Finally! Thanks! I was losing my hope for this review!

[@tafsirnahian669]

The intro was gold

[@XNR750]

lol man ,i never thought i would see a matrix scene in a bike chanel ,love your style ,keep walking

[@luizgustavodamattasilva9480]

INTRO SO IMPRESSIVE!!! 😮👏

[@migfed]

Brilliant introduction Neo!

[@elduderino3926]

I really want to have more than one upvote for this video!

[@editdroid99]

I love these videos! I look forward to these more than the Mark Rover monthly drop, so keep up the good work. It's funny, though...Previous videos inspired me to move from my MicroShift R8's to the Sensha Reflex shifters (the 8 speed Empire equivalent), but now I am considering putting my R8s back on. I run that 8 speed on my zwift bike, so looks don't matter so much on it. I say that because the gear line coming out of the side of the shifter is an aesthetic non-starter for whatever I show up on at the bike club. Gotta keep that cockpit clean. I've had no problems with my Reflex btw, though on zwift I almost never move to the small chain ring (your fail point), and also run the shimano front derailleur (with the longer arm), and and make sure to keep that derailleur well lubed (all thanks to your observations). See Luke, you are a useful engine! 5 stars. would watch again.

[@TraceVelo]

Yeah, so i agree, they dont look very pro, and kind of have a low budget aesthetic, but i can't argue with the performance of them. I much prefer them to the sensah setup I had before. But I've just recieved the updated Sensah Empire with the aluminium shifting arm, so need to give those a go before I discount Sensah completely!

[@RustyRacer]

10/10 intro. Lighting was perfect

[@AdamNigelDark]

Only "As always my name is ............... Luke!" could open with such a future classic intro. Legendary.

[@mijaiscares8580]

The best intro dude!!!

[@intheblue25]

Glad I found your video, I bought these not too long ago for a 1x10 monstercross/gravel build, I could not get them to shift with the derailleur I bought, Shimano SLX, I thought the shifters were crap and wondered if I had made a bad purchase and was about to give up on these. After watching your video and deciding maybe it wasn't the shifters I tried a cheaper Shimano Acera derailleur, bam they work perfectly now, clean crisp shifting, well that and reverse b screw but it is flawless now on an 11-42 tooth to boot!

[@ethanheaven6515]

Thanks for the vid!! end up buying it!

[@shaky8037]

OMFG the intro is EPIC!

[@whitebeardcycles]

Best start yet, LOVE IT! Thanks for doing what everyone wants to do but only a few 'NAMELY YOU' have the balls to do and actually hit buy now!

[@jameslaurino7496]

I purchased a set of these shifters in 3x9 to swap a flat bar to drop bars and agree, was pleasantly surprised. I like them better than the Campy Centaur shifters on my other bike. The bike I have them on has Deore XT mechs and no problems shifting. Only quirk is going from big ring down to the next is you have to click twice. Rear shifts are quite good.

[@ANGROCEL]

BRAVO ON THE INTRO!

[@bernardogrivon9139]

Great video as asual, thank you!

[@glharlor]

I lost it when you were discussing the micronee rear derailleur 😂

[@kevinjfeeney77]

I hope they fix the issues. However, other reviewers have had better luck with their Advent and Advent X groupsets....rear derailleur included.

[@davidp9611]

Just got a set of 7 speed micronew shifters for a vintage bike and hopefully as rock solid as your 11 speed ones! Thanks for the review as there were only a few other videos out there showing them in use. Looks like I'm in safe hands...

[@hazzalandy]

Micronew also make a clutched 10 speed mtb rear mech that is pretty damn good, I've not broken mine yet

[@JoseLopez-xb1mx]

Awesome video!

[@brendanleary802]

Love your intro much better than the standard boring bike review

[@TraceVelo]

Glad you think so!

[@nrapiera]

Just the intro is reason enough to subscribe to this channel guys

[@ryanw8987]

Excellent video! For quite awhile I thought I just NEEDED to move up to 11 spd, even though I have 10 spd on both my bikes. But really, after working on several friends' bikes with newer Ultegra and DA, I realized I'm not missing out on much. Sure, it's a little lighter and you don't have to move the shift arms quite as far, but it's so, so minor. Running 6700 on my CX/commuter bike, and 5700 shifters w/7900 derailleurs on my DengFu carbon aero bike, and as long as I keep the drivetrain tuned up I can't really find a fault with either. And I tend to have way fewer issues than my friends, even the ones running Di2 or eTap.

[@venomsnake1142]

In my country using Shimano is a pride especially Ultegra, 105 is just a new entry level entering advance class. But in my opinion any product is fine as long as it works properly and durable. Well I am beginning look this product since years ago, for backup my Tiagra and upgrade my folding bike. Good content it helps me.

[@delafonnicolas2484]

Wonderfull great extraordinary brillant intro. Not to mention, your un feared jump in the aliexpress shifting world. Thanks for all your reviews

[@TheLouisEric]

I was fairly disappointed that you didn’t demonstrate the brake levers while on the rollers. Also, I love your channel and humour.

[@mavericklimsk]

I absolutely love the intro.... 👍👌👏

[@petermadach]

I have the genuine Microshift R9 on my budget road bike. Apart from being even cheaper than Sora, I bought them because I prefer this shifter actuation method to basically every other system. On my new build I went for their Centos 11, which shifts the same way as Campag does. I wouldve gone for these if not for the external shifter cable.

[@joaopfa]

Awesome video! Thanks and congrats. Have you already done somehing about checking out some powermetter from other not famous brands from aliexpress?