Released last year, microSHIFT's new component group, SWORD.
Designed with the philosophy of microSHIFT at its core, this modern gravel component group prioritizes the best balance of shifting performance, durability, and serviceability—ensuring that even those who use their bike as a daily tool can ride with complete peace of mind.
Thanks to you all, we frequently get requests for SWORD on custom builds and consultations for component swaps.
Be sure to check out the blogs below for more on SWORD.
Today, we'd like to introduce a bike that serves as a great reference for a SWORD build.
Going for it with a component swap during an overhaul
This is a SURLY Cross-Check. Although it's a model that has sadly been discontinued, the owner has used it extensively for everything from daily commutes to weekend rides. Since it was time for an overhaul after years of hard use, and because the original components were starting to show their age, the owner decided to take the plunge and swap to SWORD—partly to rethink the gear ratios now that they have more opportunities to ride on unpaved roads on the weekends.
The front double option is also a major draw
While a front single setup would work for their daily commute, the owner wanted to enjoy longer weekend rides and, since the bike was originally a front double, they chose to stick with a front double for the SWORD setup as well.
The fact that the 46/29T chainring combination was perfect for their desire to enjoy unpaved roads also helped drive the decision.
Naturally, the cassette is compatible with Shimano hubs, so in most cases, you can keep using the wheels you already have.
Drop bar shifters that are compatible with mechanical brakes
Many of today's drop bar shifters (dual control levers) are designed for hydraulic brakes, which can be a real pitfall when you're looking to swap components on a rim brake frame or reuse your existing braking system.
While there are workarounds like using different lever models, SWORD wasn't designed to be a top-tier racing group; it was crafted for riders who want to use their bike as a reliable tool. Consequently, the brakes are mechanical, making it perfectly suited for rim brake bikes.
Unlike Advent or Advent X, which featured external cable routing, SWORD utilizes internal routing. This keeps the cockpit clean and makes it easier to attach accessories like handlebar bags. For this build, we also swapped the handlebar to a SimWorks Wild Honey Bar.
Full set for 70,290 yen
As for the cost, you’re looking at around 70,290 yen for a complete front double setup. For comparison, a similar Shimano GRX 11-speed setup with mechanical brakes would cost 93,465 yen.
microSHIFT / Sword Front Double Pricing
| Levers | Sword Drop Bar Shifter 2x10Speed | 28,600 yen |
| Crankset | Sword Crank Set / Front Double | 18,040 yen |
| Front Derailleur | Sword Front Derailleur 2x10Speed | 4,510 yen |
| Rear Derailleur | Sword Rear Derailleur 2x10Speed | 12,100 yen |
| Cassette | Sword H-Series 10Speed Cassette 11-38t | 7,040 yen |
SHIMANO / GRX 11s Front Double (Mechanical Brake) Pricing
| Levers | SHIMANO 105 ST-R7000 | 32,149 yen |
| Crankset | SHIMANO GRX 11s FC-RX810-2 | 30,685 yen |
| Front Derailleur | SHIMANO GRX 11s FD-RX810-F | 7,196 yen |
| Rear Derailleur | SHIMANO GRX 11s RD-RX810 | 15,240 yen |
| Cassette | SHIMANO 105 CS-HG700 11s | 8,195 yen |
Admittedly, the GRX setup offers more gears, and the shifting precision probably edges out microSHIFT.
That said, if you’re not a competitive rider and just want something tough that you can use without worrying about technical issues, microSHIFT is a very solid choice. Plus, the money you save can be put toward upgrades like a new headset or hubs.
So, if you’re looking to use your bike hard for both commuting and weekend rides, be sure to consider giving microSHIFT SWORD a try.
