microSHIFT | Acolyte Rear Derailleur | 8 Speed | Medium Cage | with Spring Lock Chain Retention

After giving the MicroSHIFT Acolyte 8-speed rear derailleur a solid run on my mountain bike, I can confidently say it’s a great budget-friendly option that punches well above its price point. Whether you’re upgrading from an old derailleur or building a new bike, this derailleur provides excellent performance without breaking the bank.Build Quality & Design:The MicroSHIFT Acolyte has a straightforward, solid build with an emphasis on durability. The construction feels reliable and tough, especially given its affordable price. It’s not overly flashy, but the design is clean and functional. The clutch mechanism is a welcome addition, helping to reduce chain slap and chain drops on rougher trails, which is crucial for maintaining consistent shifting on technical rides.Shifting Performance:For an 8-speed derailleur, the Acolyte’s shifting is impressively smooth. While it may not be as lightning-fast as some of the higher-end systems, it offers a very good balance of precision and reliability. I’ve used it on everything from moderate climbs to rocky descents, and it shifted accurately without any noticeable delay. The shifts are smooth under moderate pressure, though shifting under heavy load (like a steep climb) takes a little extra effort. It’s nothing that affects the ride, but it's worth noting.Climbing & Descending:On the climbs, the Acolyte holds up well. The derailleur keeps the chain in place and allows for smooth transitions between gears, even on steeper ascents. It does a great job of keeping up with a wide range of gears, and I never found myself wishing for a higher-end system. On descents, the clutch works as advertised, minimizing chain slap and keeping everything tight. It doesn’t feel as crisp as some pricier models, but it’s certainly good enough for recreational to intermediate-level mountain biking.Durability:So far, the Acolyte has proven to be impressively durable. I’ve ridden it through muddy, rocky, and wet conditions, and it’s held up without any major issues. The shifting hasn’t skipped or become unreliable, even with some abuse. The derailleur’s design feels like it can withstand regular trail riding, and the clutch does a good job of minimizing wear on the drivetrain.Installation & Maintenance:Installation is simple and intuitive. Whether you’re replacing an old derailleur or building a bike from scratch, the Acolyte is easy to set up with just a few basic adjustments. The maintenance is also straightforward; regular lubing and a quick check of the derailleur hanger are all that’s needed. It's a low-maintenance piece of equipment, which is perfect for riders who don’t want to spend a lot of time tuning their bike.Conclusion:The MicroSHIFT Acolyte 8-speed rear derailleur is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly, durable, and reliable option for their mountain bike. It provides smooth shifting, solid build quality, and decent performance on both climbs and descents. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of high-end models, it does the job exceptionally well for its price point. If you’re looking to upgrade your drivetrain without spending a lot, this derailleur is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended for casual to intermediate riders who want dependable performance without breaking the bank.

This groups with the 8 spd set. Very good shifting. One thing though, to activate clutch, you need an allen key.I won't reduce a star because it's like a set and forget type of thing. Also, the derailleur does pretty well in the no clutch position for moderately choppy trails.I see myself turning on clutch for bigger, bashier rock gardens.Great part, great price, and kinda in your face to the industry which is moving on a 13 speed system. These guys have a solid 12-46 selection in an 8spd, basic free hub compatible package.It seems like their intent is well priced quality shifting without gram counting or following trends. They are doing great at this

This was a replacement for a stock Shimano that didn't have the capacity for a larger chainring I had for a 1x upgrade. Easy to install, easy to adjust, shifts very smoothly, and stays in gear very well thanks to the clutch. One thing to note is that there is conflicting information about whether this will fit on a derailleur hanger or if it requires direct mounting. I have it on a hanger and it works just fine.

Works very well very sturdy built a small adjustment and presto.

The Derailleur is made of quality materials where stress and contact with debris are common. It's the one of the affordable Derailleurs with clutch that is engaged with an Allen key to activate and lever to disengage it to allow the wheel to be removal. The Acolyte Derailleur has the longest reach with compared to other 8 speed which most are limited to 42 tooth cassette sprockets, this one can go up 46 tooth and while higher speed such as 10 to 12 can go up to 50 or 52 tooth they do not have thicker 8 speed chain and are more prone to misalignment from daily use. The Acolyte Rear Derailleur Its accompanying group-set the 12-46 cassette and new quick trigger acolyte pro shifter the restomod of my old late 80s chromoly Specialized Rockhopper frame possible to climb steep hills with cargo modernizing the capacity of the Specialized Rockhopper while investing capital wisely in my vintage frame.

This is not just for kids bike. It's solid. I have built some cool mountain, commuter, and gravel bikes. This is my my go to. I have 1x8 systems on the bikes. I love the clutch feature on the derailuer (clutch provides better shifting and the chain doesn't slap around). I also love how the shifter is crisp. The rear cassette also goes to 46t which is wonderful for climbing. I currently have a 40t chainring with this set up on my gravel bike. I added a few extra links to make it work.

Best derailleur you can buy for the price. The clutch makes all the difference. Does come with a layer of grease on everything but I think it's to help keep dirt away from other things (Chain, bearings, etc.) as an extra precaution.

As a long time gravel and trail rider who’s built up a few bikes from scratch - I can say this kit is up there with the best from sram and shimano. Solid and dependable shifting action, nice build quality, easy to install and good looking. The overall drivetrain is not quite as slick as the pricier options - but it’s close and much better value. I’ll definitely recommend microshift from now on.