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microSHIFT Launches Uber Affordable Sword Black Gravel Group

Written by Ron Frazelle
microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group real hero(Photos/microSHIFT)
12 Comments
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Known for making “bike parts for reality”, microSHIFT just released a new, even more affordable version of their popular Sword Gravel Group. Meet Sword Black. Even though slapping the “Black” moniker on a product usually means that it’s more pricy, that’s not the case here. The new Sword Black is meant to “fill out” microSHIFT’s product line, reaching more riders and offering an even more attainable price point.

microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group Hero2
(Photos/microSHIFT)

Samsies as OG Sword

microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group rear cassete
microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group made for flared bars

Sword Black offers a lot of the same features that the OG Sword has, including:

  • Lower gear ranges than comparable road groups (2×11-38t, 1×11-46t)
  • Dialed ergonomics that feel good on flared bars
  • Easy to work on yourself. (microSHIFT has a full suite of YouTube videos on the matter)

Here’s Where Sword Black Differs

microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group rear der
microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group 2x crank on bike
  • It runs 9 speeds instead of 10 speeds
  • There is no clutch
  • It uses a square taper crank
  • The groupset is $126 cheaper at retail of $349 vs $474 (including crankset)
microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group 2x on complete bike

Same Cable Pull

microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group right hand shifter
microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group left shifter

Both Sword and Sword Black use the same cable pull ratio, making the rear derailleurs for each group cross-compatible… geez, what a novel idea. Imagine if you already have the Sword Black group and wanted to upgrade to the Sword rear derailleur, you could do so without changing anything else.

1x & 2x Sword Black Group Scecs

microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group 1x9 specs
1x specifications
microSHIFT Sword Black Gravel Group 2x9 specs
2x specifications

microSHIFT calls both of the Sword Gravel groups “modern components with an analog soul”. I like it.

Check out everything microSHIFT has to offer by hitting the link below.

microShift.com

Ron Frazelle
Ron Frazelle
660 articles

Ron Frazelle is the Cycling Lifestyle Editor for Bikerumor, he has been writing about bicycles and the cycling way of life for 7+ years. Prior to Bikerumor, he worked in the bicycle industry, living and breathing bicycles since 1995. He is based in Anaheim, California, Frazelle is an avid cyclist of all disciplines, camper, father to 6 children, husband, musician and self-proclaimed retro-grouch.

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dog farts
dog farts
7 months ago

I just want a Sword groupset with hydraulic brakes.

1
Reply
Trenton
Trenton
7 months ago
Reply to  dog farts

Tooo expensive. If you really want better modulation, just put on a pair of cable to hydraulic brakes.

1
Reply
John
John
7 months ago
Reply to  Trenton

Spyres and Klampers have awesome modulation with greater durability and ease of maintenance relative to most hydraulic brothers I’ve dealt with. I’ve heard good things about Grotac stoppers too.

2
Reply
Veganpotter
Veganpotter
7 months ago
Reply to  John

Love my Spyres but they don’t have nearly as good of modulation as even average hydraulics

2
Reply
JasonB
JasonB
7 months ago
Reply to  Trenton

Solid suggestion. This is a easy and cheap way to get 50%-75% of the performance of a full road or gravel hydraulic braking system. I’ve used the Juin Tech calipers and the ZRace BR-005. You must use compressionless housing. The Juin Techs are fantastic out of the box, no complaints. But the ZRace’s have a trick up their sleeve — they can use the same pads as Shimano road and gravel calipers. So once you put some metal Shimano K04S pads on the rear and some organic L04C pads on the front, you’ve got a well-modulating system that is, like all mechanical, adjustable and repairable in the field. Rotor rub after a long descent? Twist the adjuster a click or two. There are other options; Yokozuna ($$$) and TRP come to mind. The ZRace calipers are dirt cheap ($45/pr shipped on Ali).

3
Reply
Mr. P
Mr. P
7 months ago
Reply to  JasonB

2nding JasonB’s comment “You must use compressionless housing.” for mechanical disc brakes.

0
Reply
mud
mud
7 months ago

Ouch, square taper

-5
Reply
Cyclekrieg
Cyclekrieg
7 months ago
Reply to  mud

This is so it can be used on low end bikes, like the Ozark Trail G1. As all the modern Microshift stuff is interchangeable, you could use another Microshift crank or an aftermarket one.

6
Reply
King County
King County
7 months ago
Reply to  mud

If you are complaining about the sq taper crank you are missing the point of the group’s existence.

17
Reply
Kool Stop Tyre Lever Sales Dept.
Kool Stop Tyre Lever Sales Dept.
7 months ago
Reply to  King County

Geez, I was hopping for 5 speed and cottered cranks.

3
Reply
King County
King County
7 months ago
Reply to  Kool Stop Tyre Lever Sales Dept.

LOL

1
Reply
Tom
Tom
7 months ago
Reply to  mud

The 10sp Sword uses a 24mm spindle similar to Shimano. Also the 10sp Sword derailleur has a clutch, whereas the 9sp doesn’t. Probably worth paying the extra for the full 10sp setup, or sounds like you can mix and match the 9sp shifters on the 10sp derailleurs.

The square taper and no clutch is the same spec as Shimano Claris. But I think I would rather have Sword 9sp than Claris on an entry level gravel bike.

1
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