MicroShift Advent X Long Term Review

[@blurglide]

I love that this is a HG compatible wide-range drivetrain. Made upgrading my old Tallboy LT from 3x to 1x very affordable. It's been 100% reliable for me.

[@downtoridemtb]

It’s a great option for upgrading an older bike like that. Glad to hear it’s working well for you!

[@sam1166]

I’ve also got a tallboy LTc I’m looking to retrofit from 3x to 1x. Just getting going on research though, would you be willing to share what other components you went with to complete the changeover?

[@ForEverMTB]

I have my Advent X for over 2 years and still works great. Great review, have a good one

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks! Glad yours is still working well!

[@FML22]

Great review: clear and concise, interesting, well-explained specifics. I had the same problem with the clutch “going soft.”. Microshift said tightening the clutch spring bolt didn’t add tension to the spring, but only more friction to the clutch pivot. They sent me a new derailleur as soon as I sent them a 10s video of me moving the cage w/clutch on and clutch off.

[@downtoridemtb]

Yep there’s just a little too much play in the whole clutch system in my opinion. How’s the new one working out?

[@GokkunGuru]

Good review. Today I got to see both SRAM Eagle and AdventX side by side. Despite being both made in Taiwan, they’re night and day different in terms of build quality. SRAM, particularly GX and up just looks way more premium and aesthetic.

[@downtoridemtb]

Right on, I’ve never compared them that closely. I did ride a bike with GX AXS and shifts definitely felt more precise.

[@mtbboy1993]

Superb review. You explained everything well. So far only proper review of this product. I knew it would not be for me, due to the ratchet design, but great to see you did a video explaining and showing this issue.

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks. Yeah the ratcheting part is odd. I think with more precise machining it could be a lot better.

[@Wings_of_foam]

I have to subscribe to this dude. Super grounded and knows his stuff. Something I never adjust is the gearset. Way too complicated for me haha. I do have the MicroShift Advent X on my gravel bike, but I need to get it adjusted at a bike shop. Love them though.

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks bud! No fluff here. You should definitely give the adjustments a try. Pretty simple once you know what each screw does. Small learning curve but not bad.

[@GalliumEnergy]

Great video. I have the Advent 9-speed on my bike it has been working flawlessly. I put the Advent X 10-speed on my brother's bike. I have a 10 speed KMC chain on it and it is definitely pretty noisy. It could be a chain line issue as well. Thanks for the long term review!

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks. Yeah tell him to give an 11 speed chain a try if the noise gets to him.

[@ondrejmanych5688]

I was going to write something very simillar. I have advent 9sp and I put 10sp chain on it and it feels a little bit better. I like how it works and feels.

[@mikethomas6051]

Check the cassette, make sure it has no deformed teeth on gear cogs, also advent derailleur was designed for there shifters and cassette, the shifter and derailleur work on a wider shift/pull. Noise is also called by poor chain and poor derailleur alignment, check that spacing on top cage wheel.

[@matthewstephenson155]

Thanks mate run Advent on two bikes and like it.Building up a new Bike and installing Advent X system this time atound.

[@downtoridemtb]

Check my follow-up videos on this, Advent X and Deore hybrid. Still running that currently and like it a lot

[@omeriluz9800]

Great Vid as always ❤❤ Glad you back!!

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks Omer, more to come soon!

[@Asijantuntia]

Super good video, exactly what I was looking for! Had never heard about Microshift before, this is all that I really needed to make a decision on my next bike.

[@downtoridemtb]

Glad you found it helpful! How you get as many enjoyable miles from it as I have gotten from mine.

[@alexjohnson6462]

I have the Advent X on my Poseidon Redwood drop bar gravel bike. I think the shifting is very responsive in comparison to options several times the price, but the issue I am having with it is occasional 'autoshifting' (gear changes by itself). What is super strange is it autoshifts upward on the cassette (to the next lightest gear). Normally, the autoshifting issue happens in reverse (shifts to a harder gear, usually when you are riding up a hill which is about the worst situation possible). So far it has not gotten on my nerves as it only seens to do this under certain circumstances (almost never on smooth terrain. Oddly, it seems to do it most on sandy trails. Not a clue why). Also, my clutch button is super tight. Not sure if this is normal. I was expecting the switch to go easy, but I have to push hard enough to where I'm kibd of afraid of breaking it because I dont know how durable that switch is).

[@downtoridemtb]

Hmm I wonder if you’re cable tension is a touch too tight, making it more easy for it to shift upward. Also check your b limit screw, I’d imagine if the derailleur is positioned too far away, it would be more likely to do that. I’m sure you’ve probably done both though because it sounds like you know your stuff. Anyway good luck with it!

[@barclayholmes5982]

I had the same problem. My cassette had a little play in it. See if you can move yours side to side. Mine was tight and I needed to service the freehub body. It could also happen if there is play in the wheel bearings/hub bearing tension

[@raylaux8295]

You may run the cheaper Acolyte with the 11-48T Advent X cassette and 10 speed shifters. Pull ratio is the same.

[@downtoridemtb]

That’s cool I never thought about that one. Wonder how the overall performance and shifts are in comparison.

[@raylaux8295]

@@downtoridemtb Same, pull ratio is the same, movement is the same. Weight is only difference. 70g. Clutch is better on Acolyte. Look that up.

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks!

[@geralds.5485]

Hi Ray, Is that Acolyte micro shift 10 speed derailleur you mean? Could not find it. Thanks.

[@bicepusmaximus]

Aren’t they 8 speed derailleurs?

[@JohnPilling25]

I have AdventX on 3 of my bikes and Advent 9 speed on another. This past summer I was riding for 2 months in the French Pyrenees using 36 chain ring with 11-48 rear adventX clutch derailleur on the gravel route forestière and never had the chain drop and the wide range was great for the steep uphills and the crazy downs on the regular roads. Rock solid components in my view. Am installing AdventX on my new Pipedream ATB but going with bar end shifter this time

[@downtoridemtb]

Yes very reliable. I really want to try out their new Sword derailleur.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

I tried one recently on a friend's bike I saw reviews but still I wasn't expecting much, pleasantly surprised! I'd say it's on par for operation with NX, but the shifter is superior almost SLX levels of butter if you don't care for the 12 speed it's a real budget contender... For reference I'm dailying TRP Tr12 1x12 spec G and XT 8100 on my two most used bikes.

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks for sharing the comparisons. Never ridden SLX to know how a lever feels.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

@@downtoridemtb crisper than SRAM SX/NX/GX the SRAM action has strong clicks but not that precise and positive, the deore is okay but at SLX level you can feel the precision in the clicks, it's a lighter touch, the Advent is more Shimano style than SRAM

[@barclayholmes5982]

Thanks for the vid, I look forward to the experiment. Mine has given me zero issues, other than flushing out the need to service my hub. Compared to an 11 or 12 speed, they are very forgiving regarding barrel adjusters as there is more space between cogs. When I take the time to adjust it perfectly, it shifts fast and quiet. As well as my XT. I don't seem to have the play issue with the clutch engagement at any position. Lucky? I feel lucky.

[@downtoridemtb]

Same exact thing for me when I first installed it. Was shifting not so great and I discovered it was the freehub body having way to much play in it.

[@hamldna]

FIRST. I want my cookie now please. Lol. Great vid. I was searching for info on the Advent X and your vid came up and you just posted today. Nice. How do you feel this stacks up against the SLX? Also new sub here.

[@downtoridemtb]

LOL, I don’t want to spill the beans yet because it is untested. If you’re really curious, feel free to email me and I’ll let you know my plan. My email is in the channel info. Anyway thanks for subscribing! I’ve never ridden SLX so I can’t say about that.

[@toddmullis3249]

SLX is on sale for $215 right now if you are still looking. It blows advent x away. I have both and I do like 10 speed but Advent X is crazy loud. It’s the clutch play on the derailleur as mentioned in this video that’s the culprit.

[@elcaminosoldier1]

Came with my Salsa Rangefinder after 1 year it's still smooth I was thinking of upgrading but I'm leaning against it

[@downtoridemtb]

If it’s still working good then I wouldn’t change a thing

[@f1hotrod527]

Can I get Shimano 10 or 11 speed for similar money. One with the big range? This is the second Microshift product I have seen where the clutch is very lackluster.

[@downtoridemtb]

Yes Deore 11 speed is cheap too and gives you more range. Or check out a video I did shortly after this where I put a Deore derailleur on with the rest still Advent X. Plus, follow-up to that video coming out soon, filmed it yesterday.

[@jornfm]

Is it possible to use Shimano Deore 10 speed shifter (sl-m4100-r), Shimano Deore 11 speed derailleur (rd-5100-sgs) and Microshift Advent X 10 speed 11-48 cassette? Or will the pull from the Shimano shifter mess up?

[@downtoridemtb]

I’m really not sure. If you already have the Deore 10s shifter then I’d say it’s worth a try. If it doesn’t work, then you’d just be out like $20-$30 for the Advent X shifter. Please report back if you try it so others will know too!

[@MichaelRobibaro]

I love Microshifts newer groupsets As for the clutch derailleurs and shifting I think the acyolte derailleur works better in both those regards compares to the advant and advant x v1. I'm not sure if the advant x V2 is any better than the acyolte Also curious how the new sword derailleur compares.

[@downtoridemtb]

I’m very curious about the Sword too. Looks better in terms of the clutch and the cable routing

[@Tiaan90]

Great video! I'm Frankensteining together a budget XC bike atm and I've been looking at this cassette. I know it's rather OT, but do you happen to know if it works with other brands of shifters and derailleurs? I have a Shimano Deore XT derailleur and shifter which I was thinking of putting an extender on to see if it could get 48t reach 😅 Otherwise I might just go with the CS-M4100 11-46t.

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks for watching. I don’t know the answer to you question though. My Frankenstein idea worked out and I’ll be editing the video soon. I can tell you that the Advent X derailleur has a 1.1:1 pull ratio. Deore XT might have the same because some Shimano stuff does. However that doesn’t factor in how much the Shimano shifter pulls with each click. Good luck to you!

[@mikeburgh3956]

Hi brother! Hey could you plz tell me exactly which KMC X11 you got? It seems they have a 114 & 118 link... And a "EL" version with 118 that's lil more expensive.. Im asking because I just ordered the Advent X group set. I also just got the Eagle GX crank set (32T) Ty for the video & help!!

[@downtoridemtb]

I don’t recall exactly other than it not being the EL version. That one is slightly lighter but if I remember correctly is wasn’t much of a weight difference at all. I’d suggest getting the 118 link since you just don’t know how many links you’ll need until everything is installed.

[@mikeburgh3956]

@@downtoridemtb sounds good! I had another person say the same exact thing 👍🏻

[@drewsmith6066]

What is the clutch for and how does it work ?...don't matter you said at the end

[@downtoridemtb]

Basically added tension in the derailleur to keep the chain more secure

[@stevenblagburn3951]

Great video thank you . Ive just purchased a bike with advent x and i was sceptical but so far i think its great. I did see a review where a guy was complaining about cable getting damaged from the acute angle it exits the rear mech. Have you experienced any problems with this ?

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks. No problems for me with the cable wear. Angle does look odd but it has been fine.

[@stevenblagburn3951]

Thanks for that. The advent x iis on sale I'n my usual shop so might buy a spare set. Mech, shifter and cassette for £80

[@downtoridemtb]

That’s a fantastic deal. I’ll mention that Microshift has a new version of the derailleur that they have announced but I don’t think it is available to purchase yet. Just something to keep in mind.

[@mikeburgh3956]

​@@downtoridemtbYou mean the "version 2" I think their calling it.

[@downtoridemtb]

That’s the one! According to Microshift, the only difference is the cage.

[@scstinger5]

I have a Advent-X and it’s a good little unit. The one thing that really bugs me about it is that you get a bit of free-spin between gears when shifting. Especially when shifting to a spinnier gear. It drives me crazy and I don’t get that with any of my other derailleurs on my other bikes

[@downtoridemtb]

Hmm not really sure what you mean about that free spinning. Like not engaging on the gear quick enough?

[@scstinger5]

@@downtoridemtb Yes!

[@downtoridemtb]

@@scstinger5 sounds like an adjustment issue but who knows yours could have a manufacturing flaw. I never had that specific problem.

[@scstinger5]

@@downtoridemtb I think you maybe right about the adjustment issue. I’ll play with it and maybe try a different chain or something. As I’ve only heard good things about the shifting on the Advent X.

[@downtoridemtb]

Right on. Could just need a bit more cable tension to get it to go up to the bigger gears. I also found that a touch less b amendment gap seemed to work better.

[@TheAlmalikProduction]

Hello, can i fit the advent x on a 7 speed bike?? Tried to google it but couldn't find anything. Sorry I'm new to Mountain biking.

[@downtoridemtb]

I’m really not sure. May not be enough depth to the freehub body.

[@MichaelRobibaro]

Just get an 8+ speed cassette. Also make sure your 7 speed wheel is actually a cassette and not a freewheel Free wheel = new wheel day (or hub and relace. If 7 speed cassette it should have a spacer...if not, new hub body bday and retension

[@ftrujillomunizaga]

Great review! I'm thinking of swapping my awful 12s SRAM SX (11-50) as it has never worked decently (2 months old and i'm sick of it) and I was wondering how this budget transmision would work and you definetely convinced me with a 2 years review. Why are you using an 11s chain on a 10s cassette? Just for the thinner chain to switch gears easily? Have you tried it with a 10s? Liked and subscribed!

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks! Yeah I tried the 10 speed chain first and it was noisy. Basically rubbing the next largest cog is a few places. 11 speed just gives it a bit more clearance.

[@MichaelRobibaro]

Another great mix and match to do is use the clutched acyolte derailleur

[@osochocolatoso]

Hi. I think you have a xsync2 chainring? If so, how does it match with the kmc chain?

[@downtoridemtb]

Not sure actually. It is whatever came with my Truvativ cranks that are about 2 years old. Works fine with the chain.

[@osochocolatoso]

@@downtoridemtb well if the picture at 0:18 is from your bike then yes it is a xsync2 chainring, the "horn" looking teeth is what makes it different from xsync or any other narrow-wide teeth profile chainring. Anyway, thank you, as I'm about to put an advent x with a kmc chain on my bike which comes with xsync2 chainring hence my question 👍🏻

[@downtoridemtb]

Right on, yea that is my bike so it must be the xsync2. Hope you enjoy the Microshift setup!

[@Escape.Idiocracy]

I really think that most of the criticisms that you have throughout this video are a bit harsh. This is a $65 derailleur…. If this were on say a $90-100 eagle GX the criticism would be needed. It should be remembered this is a pretty big bang for your buck value.

[@downtoridemtb]

Fair point.

[@felixsewell2896]

what front chain ring would you recommend with the 11-48t cassette and what size derailleur cage would i need

[@downtoridemtb]

32t is good. For the derailleur cage, I thought there was only one option.

[@rauldoleanu9373]

@@downtoridemtb I have the 30t chainring with X11 KMC 114 links chain. how many links you have on your chain to work with 32t?

[@downtoridemtb]

The number of links all depends on your chain stay length on your particular bike

[@JohnPilling25]

I have the medium cage and use it with a 40T chainring on 1 bike and a 36T on the others. The 40T runs mainly on the road - you will need a 116 link chain on regular length chainstays. 36T you can get away with 112 links.

[@Svenne_Kloppe]

I notice the pawls are moving a lot inside their housing. Perhaps both should have been made of carbide for better durability and with a tighter fit to get even more rid of this free play.

[@downtoridemtb]

100% agree. Tighter tolerances would be a big improvement.

[@Niidea1986]

Can I use this in combination with a 2 front?

[@downtoridemtb]

I don’t think so. But they do have a gravel group set called Sword that can be set up that way

[@jeffreyjantos9625]

Mine was great when it was new. Now not so much. After easy and minimal commuting miles, the main spring lost tension and it won't shift to the highest 2 gears (not a limit screw problem). Also the cable pull angle is awful and the cable has worn a groove on the stop where it slides. Super friction-ey.

[@downtoridemtb]

That’s really strange. Possibly a warranty claim?

[@jacoboreilly3601]

Is the derailleur clutch missing when of the engagement points? looks like there should be 4 in there. Also thanks for your videos. Currently going through the hub issue you had originally, on my Rift Zone. They sent me a knew free body hub and seems that they swapped out the outer bearing for a bigger bearing because the smaller one in the original kept giving them issues. You may have been a big help in informing people about this issue and Marin fixing the freehub body. Who knows! Anyways thanks again!

[@downtoridemtb]

It’s the one I had in my hand. Popped out off camera. The more I looked at it I stared wondering of the channels that those pawls sit it my have worn and enlarged over time. Because they engage on the star wheel but then are able to move around in that channel. Anyway, glad Marin made some changes to the hub. Likely not their fault since stuff like that gets outsourced to manufacturers. Those manufacturers may have been cutting corners. Just speculation though.

[@chubscoi]

Super long term

[@downtoridemtb]

Lol, yep!

[@chrisjones7281]

ShiVentX

[@downtoridemtb]

I like it!

[@elderwitch8632]

Im curious if ver2 of the derailleur changes that free play in the cage.. Im undecided if it's good or bad.. because having that bit of movement before the clutch engages make's your suspension work better because it's not being hindered by chain tension right away. I've tried with the 'correct' chain length and noticed that in the biggest sprocket my suspension is able to move freely and in smallest sprocket it has freeplay and a bit more baggy chain than say a sram derailleur). As mentioned in this vid. I then proceeded to take out 2 link's (1 outer link) thinking that the clutch would then engage more often which it did, but there was still that freeplay. But it made using the biggest sprocket worse because the chain was now tensioned quite a lot. Bouncing on the seat you can *feel* the suspension being affected by the chain length. Even tho the derailleur still had lot's of movement left. (Yes i adjusted the b-screw both slackened off and tensioned). So i highly recommend you leave your chain as long as possible with this groupset. The shifter does take a bit of time to get used to because of the throw in the lever but you do get used to it and it is very smooth. I also like that when you click into 1st gear (biggest sprocket) the lever doesn't actually pull anymore cable so it's very clear when you have no more gear's to shift up to and also prevent's cable stretch because of this feature. Cassette is solid, very well made. I bought the steel version because of your other video about the alloy teeth. For the money it's a no brainer and the little quirks are something you will get used to.

[@downtoridemtb]

According to Microshift, the clutch in the new version is the same. Good point on the effect on suspension movement. I hadn’t thought about that at all.

[@elderwitch8632]

​@@downtoridemtb Thank's for the reply. Yeh i was bouncing on the seat and was thinking.. this feels a bit firm :/ Tbh i usually shorten the chain as much as possible as well. Is this more of a long cage derailleur issue ? i don't recall noticing it on short cage gx and dh gx. Will you be picking up ver 2 advent x or is there other groupsets that you are interested in testing ? Great channel btw been binge watching them lately.

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks for watching the vids! Yeah I’m my followup to this one I put on a Deore 11 speed derailleur and it works well. I’m happy with it and will keep running it for a while. I don’t plan on getting the Advent X v2. I will say I had to add an inner and outer link for the Deore to work right. I had it undersized for the Advent X which seemed to work better for me.