Microshift looking to launch its first electronic road groupset

Taiwanese firm Microshift might not be the first company you think of when buying a new groupset, but that could change in the next few years as it is looking to launch an electronic groupset aimed at the most affordable end of the market.

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The company launched its eXCD mountain bike electronic groupset at the Taipei Cycle Show last week, and told Cycling Weekly that it will be considering launching a road version of the system once the eXCD system has gone into production. The bad news, is that this isn't due until 2017, so it could be a good few years until we see a Microshift electronic road groupset.

If this does come to fruition, then it could well be power by two AA batteries, as with the eXCD groupset, which are mounted inside the shifters, giving a claimed battery life of 1,000km - the same as SRAM Red eTap. However, Microshift will have to get to work on a front derailleur for any future road electronic groupset, as its eXCD groupset only comes with a rear derailleur.

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Microshift is the latest new name to try and shake up the road bike groupset market that has been dominated by Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo. Spanish firm Rotor is currently testing its Uno hydraulic groupset, while FSA is in the process of creating its own electronic groupset which was seen at last year's Tour de France, although details are thin on the ground.