【The Gospel of Folding Bike Diagonal Climbing】Dahon K3 Plus Real-Life Test of Microshift Advent 38T Super Short Cage!
Posted by Jollymap - 2024-07-08T00:00:00.000+08:00 - 2025 Folding Bike Recommendation
Many cycling enthusiasts have chosen 16-inch folding bikes, such as the K3+, because they are compact and lightweight. However, due to the single chainring in the front and the wheel size limitations, the possibility of changing the gear ratio is relatively limited, making it especially difficult to climb uphill. Many riders often ask how to modify their folding bikes to make them more advantageous when climbing.
One simple method is to reduce the size of the front chainring, but this will sacrifice speed. Another method is to adjust the front gear ratio, but this seems to involve a lot of work and higher costs. Today, we will introduce a method that can maintain or even improve your speed, while making your folding bike easier to climb hills.
This method is both simple and cost-effective - it's to install a lightweight gear ratio device. This can give your folding bike an advantage on uphill sections without adding too much burden. If you'd like to learn more details, please continue reading.
A Cost-Effective Way to Improve the Climbing Performance of the Dahon K3+ Folding Bike
The Dahon K3+ is a 16-inch folding bike with a 55T front chainring and a 9-speed cassette with a range of 11-28T in the rear.
Its gear ratio can range from a maximum of 5 to a minimum of 2, meaning that when you pedal one revolution, the rear wheel will turn two revolutions. For some people who are not very athletic, they may find it difficult to climb hills.
However, due to the limitations of the wheel size, the options for modification are limited. The simplest approach is to replace the rear derailleur with one that can support a larger cassette, such as the SHIMANO SORA short cage derailleur, which can support up to a 32T cassette, 4T more than the original 28T. Replacing the derailleur, shifter, and cassette will cost around 1,000 NTD, but this investment can give you a 4T gain.
However, today I will introduce an even more cost-effective method that can achieve better results with the same budget, without needing to add more parts.
Microshift Advent 9-Speed Drivetrain: Ultrashort Cage, Wide Gear Ratio, Smooth Shifting
MICROSHIFT has recently introduced their Advent 9-speed drivetrain system, let's take a closer look at it. This system features a super-large 38T cage, which is an increase of 10T compared to the original 28T. Traditionally, to achieve such a large cage size, a longer cage would be required, but MICROSHIFT's Advent system challenges this notion by adopting an ultrashort cage design, even shorter than the original.
This ultrashort cage design brings several advantages. First, with the larger cage, it is less likely to hit the ground, improving pedaling stability. Furthermore, the Advent cage also has a cage lock function. When this button is engaged, the cage's range of motion is restricted, preventing the chain from jumping, providing a smoother riding experience.
The ultrashort cage of this Advent system also delivers a better gear ratio range. The minimum gear ratio has been significantly reduced from double the original to 1.45 times, lightening the overall burden by 26%. It's worth noting that the smallest cassette cog is still maintained at 11T, so the top speed has not been reduced.
Advent Shifter: Smart Display and Smooth Operation
The Advent shifter has left a very positive impression. First, it is equipped with an integrated display, which the original factory version does not have. This display clearly shows the current gear position, making the operation more intuitive and allowing you to always be aware of your shifting status.
Secondly, theAdvent shifter design considers user comfort. Typically, when shifting to a lower gear, more force is required to press the button. However, this shifter has added a floating rubber material on the finger actuation point, making the button press feel lighter. This design makes the operation easier and reduces the burden on your fingers.
Furthermore, the Advent shifter's shifting process is very smooth. Even when shifting from 11T to 38T, you do not need to apply a lot of force when pressing the button. This smooth operation makes your gear changes more fluid, providing a better riding experience.
Comparison between Large Chainring Modification and Microshift Advent Derailleur System
Compared to the typical large chainring modification solution, the Microshift Advent derailleur system has some advantages. In a general modification, the large chainring combination is usually 50T paired with a 34T, or slightly larger at 52T to 36T. However, these combinations are actually smaller than the original factory 55T large chainring.
When the large chainring is downsized, it becomes more difficult to maintain speed. For example, for a 10-inch folding bike that requires 40 km/h, or maintaining an average speed of 30 km/h, it requires more leg power. With a smaller large chainring upfront, you need to pedal more intensely, similar to a high-cadence pedaling style, to maintain the desired speed.
In addition to the higher cost, the large chainring modification also tends to increase the overall weight compared to the Microshift Advent derailleur system. Furthermore, when shifting, the large chainring requires a different type of shifter, which may feel unfamiliar to riders not experienced with bicycle operation.
Another consideration with large chainring modification is that an additional shift cable needs to be routed through the frame. Especially for older bicycle models, the frame may not have pre-made cable routing, so the shift cable for the large chainring would need to run externally on the frame. However, for cyclists who want to boost their speed, the Microshift Advent derailleur system can be a helpful solution. They can replace the large chainring upfront, such as with a 58T or 60T, while the rear derailleur system still provides the necessary torque for climbing.
Advantages of the Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain - Boosting Speed and Climbing Performance
Changing the large and small chainrings is a common approach, but now there is a better option - the Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain. Compared to the factory gear ratio range of 5 to 2, using the MICROSHIFT Advent with a 60T large chainring can increase the gear ratio range to 5.5 to 1.6. This means you can not only achieve higher speeds, but also have stronger torque for climbing hills.
Now you don't have to choose between speed and climbing ability. The Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain can provide the advantages of both, delivering better performance in your rides. Whether you are pursuing speed or conquering steep slopes, the MICROSHIFT Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain can meet your needs. You no longer have to compromise between speed and climbing capability, as the Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain will satisfy both your expectations at once.
Weight Comparison - The Lightweight Advantage of the Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain
Now, let's look at the weight issue that everyone is concerned about. When upgrading from the factory 9-speed system to the Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain, how much additional weight will it add? Let's do a test for everyone.
The weight of the factory 9-speed system is 653 grams. Now, let's look at the weight of the Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain. Since the cassette is larger, we need to add a few more links to the chain. Therefore, the overall system weight is 988 grams. The weight difference is about 335 grams.
This weight is actually lighter compared to the upgrade from the factory large and small chainrings. Choosing the Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain not only provides better performance, but also offers the advantage of being lightweight. You can improve your riding performance while also reducing the overall weight of your vehicle, resulting in a more lively riding experience.
Broad Compatibility - The Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain is Widely Applicable
The Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain is not only suitable for the K3+, but also for other compact folding bikes, such as the 18-inch Birdy and 20-inch folding bikes, and even for regular bicycles. As long as you want to increase the torque for climbing, this system is a great fit.
Whether you are using a folding bike or a regular bicycle, the Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain can provide you with excellent performance advantages. If you crave more torque for climbing, this system will be your ideal choice. Regardless of your bike model, the Microshift Advent Ultrashort Cage Drivetrain can deliver a satisfying riding experience.
