Forte Fort� 10-speed Carbon Dual Control Levers

"Scratched my Dura Ace 7800 shifters during a crash and couldn't bear spending $450 for a new pair. Found these on sale. Read the reviews and took a chance. They look sweet and I have taken them on a few "test" rides. For the price these are a great deal and would not hesitate to buy them for my other bikes. Shifting is accurate but a bit loud compared to my Dura Ace shifters but not a big deal. Plus they looks so nice. If you can get by not having the big three brands these shifters will suit you well. These are re-branded Microshift Arsis shifters I believe."

"I wanted to upgrade my wifes bike to 10 speed stuff. I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I saw the new Forte stuff and thought, "I can move my 1 year old Dura-Ace groupo from my Cannondale to my wifes bike and get the Forte as a replacement". The result: my wife loves her upgraded components and I am very happy with the Forte components. They installed as you would expect (without a hitch), and the performance is outstanding. I am truly surprised. I am using a Dura-Ace cog set (11-23) and the shifting is smooth and quick. Braking is smooth, without any oscillations and the grips are at least as comfortable as the Dura-Ace. Hope this helps you when you consider the new Forte components."

"I liked the way these look and feel. Set up is easy and instructions are accurate. They shift very well with the "click" of high end shifters, very light. Untested long term durabilaty, but a great shifter when matched up with the Forte front and rear deraileurs, also well priced.."

"As light as claimed, comfortable hoods, functionally excellent. (I'm using them with the matching Forte/Microshift derailleurs). Shifting is quick and predictable. I can't easily reach the small button from the drops, but that isn't a big deal to me. Not as refined sounding and feeling as Shimano, but I'll take simplicity over needless clock-like mechanisms any day. It'd be great if future versions have internal/aero cables. But at this price, I won't complain as long as they last a few years. I'm very pleasantly surprised!"

"Compatible with my Shimano 105 cassette. Very smooth downshift and positive upshift. Easy install. Has been working well for the first 200 miles."

"I purchased this as a set one year ago to move from Campy 8 speed into 10 speed without breaking the bank. I held my breath but after over 5000 miles from Atlanta to Key West, Pittsburgh to Washington and more, I am pleased. Compared to modern shifters the throw is a bit long but compared to my older equipment it is very similar. Shifts are clean and moderately crisp, trim works well.I would buy this again and I consider myself very hard to please with product."

"Bought these to upgrade to 10 speed very pleased with them and are light as dura-Ace shifters. At less then half the price have put about 1500 miles on them and no problems so far got the whole shifters and derailer package for a little over $200

Also the braking is great better than the 9 speed ultegra shifters i had before. So if your not worried about having name brand stuff this is the way to go."

"I bought these wanting something that looked good but didnt cost alot to upgrade to a 10 speed set up. They have worked flawlessly and they are very very light. For the money and performance satisfaction you can't beat them! They are also nice looking when pared with carbon bars."

"I got these for Christmas of 2009 and have a few thousand miles on them. Overall they've been great for the money, but they leave something to be desired. I like the crisp shifting they're pretty well built. About the accuracy of 105 shifters. I got them to use as I upgraded to 10-speed, but I'll move back to Ultegra soon. As for the critique, I don't think the two trim levels are necessary for the FD and the brake/shifter levers smack the the hoods loudly on rough roads (no padding like Shimano). The shifting isn't as precise as I'd like, so I feel like I'm fishing on the cassette occasionally (I've tried the RD cable tension all over the place and it's never been super clean).



Overall though, great upgrade piece, and when you factor in the included cables/housing, the often on-sale price can't be beat!"

"These are one of the hidden gems. The click shifting is smooth. Forte has four trim levels - two on the small and two on the large chainrings."