Flat Bar Pass Hunter with 9speed Microshift Advent

Whenever we get in frame prototypes, we build them up in a variety of ways to make sure all of your (pointing at you) weird builds will go smoothly and ride as anticipated. So we'll do drop bars, flat bars, alt-bars, commuter, lightweight, touring, and single speed (frame dependent). It's a great opportunity to test out new groupsets and new setups we have been eager to try. Enter Microshift Advent.

We've built up bikes with Campagnolo, SRAM hydro, Shimano GRX, dynamo lighting, and other neat setups, but I've been particularly excited for this oddball 9 speed groupset. The idea is to create an affordable 9speed, 1x setup with a clutch'd derailleur and wide range, 11-42 cassette.

Worth noting is that the 9 speed Advent groupset retails for $120. For comparison, $120 buys you just the pulleys of a SRAM Red AXS rear derailleur. Just the pulleys!

New 11 and 12sp setups can be fiddly because everything is narrow and a slight bit of cable tension adjustment can make a perfect or mediocre shift. With 9 speed, the amount of slop is refreshing. I use "slop" in a good way here. The actual shifting is crisp and consistent, but the wider tolerances of the cogs and chain makes for super easy and quick setup with absolutely minimal futzing.

While the clutch engagement can be turned off, I don't know why you would in exchange for never having to worry about dropping your chain. Shifting requires maybe 5% more thumb strength, but think of it as strength training, really.

The cable exit on the rear derailleur is a little funky on the higher gears (straightens out on the low side), but it doesn't seem to have any effect on shifting performance at all. It's probably designed this way to skirt any patents that the Big 3 have.

I've ridden the bike a lot this week and I really, really like the setup. It's zippy, fun, simple, and lightweight. I'll likely add a basket and bag at some point, but am happy with how it is set up for now.

PS. Tektro makes a flat-mount dual-piston actuated brake (model MD-C550) that's virtually the same as the TRP Spyre, for half the price. We really are in the golden age of cheap n' good components.