SRAM waves goodbye to the derailleur hanger with new direct-mount T-Type Eagle Transmission
UDH laid the groundwork for move to direct-mount rear derailleur
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SRAM’s all-new T-Type Eagle Transmission has landed, with the long-teased direct-mount design removing the need for a derailleur hanger and derailleur adjustment screws.
The innovative direct-mount design – described as the “biggest product introduction in SRAM’s history” – sees the derailleur clamp the bike’s frame at the rear wheel axle, rather than being attached to a derailleur hanger.
Removing the need for a hanger is an entirely new way of mounting a derailleur.
T-Type is a whole new system that includes all parts of a drivetrain, where each part has been designed to work together.
As a result, the new system isn’t compatible with any of the current-generation Eagle drivetrain parts, bar the AXS controller.
SRAM has also launched updated Stealth brake levers designed to match T-Type Eagle Transmission.
Eight years in the making
The introduction of T-Type has been nearly eight years in the making.
The derailleur’s Full Mount design takes advantage of the future-proofed dropout standard SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) launched back in 2019.
Built on three principles, the new T-Type Transmission is intended to increase drivetrain robustness and reliability, improve shifting under load and increasing ease of use and set up.
According to product manager Andreas Kölsch, it’s the “biggest product introduction in SRAM’s history”, and it’s clear why.
At launch, the new T-Type Eagle Transmission is available in three levels:
- XX SL: designed to be the lightest, highest-performing groupset
- XX: sporting burlier components
- X0: a slightly more affordable version
For full T-Type Eagle Transmission groupsets (derailleur, AXS Pod, cranks and chainring, chain, cassette) prices start at:
- X0: £1,715 / $1,599 / €1,900
- XX: £2,195 / $2,049 / €2,450 without power meter, £2,465 / $2,299 / €2,750 with
- XX SL: £2,355 / $2,199 / €2,650 without power meter, £2,890 / $2,699 / €3,250 with
Five things you need to know about SRAM’s T-Type Eagle Transmission
- It’ll only work on bikes that use SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger
- The new derailleur has no b-tension or limit screw adjustment
- It doesn’t need a derailleur hanger; it mounts directly to the bike’s frame at the rear wheel axle
- The derailleur has user-replaceable components, such as the cage, Skid Plate and outer parallelogram links
- Each T-Type component is designed to work together, which means it isn’t compatible with current-generation Eagle drivetrains
If you want to study all the terminology relating to SRAM’s T-Type Eagle Transmission before reading the rest of this article, you can skip to our glossary.
You can read Alex Evans’ XX T-Type Eagle Transmission groupset review and find out how to install the all-new T-Type derailleur with our handy guide.
What is new with SRAM’s T-Type Eagle Transmission?
In short, all of SRAM’s T-Type Eagle Transmission components are brand new, from the derailleur to the AXS Pod Controllers.
Although no one component is more important than another, some – such as the chain and derailleur – have had bigger, more visible changes compared to the pedal cranks and chainrings, for example.
SRAM T-Type Eagle Transmission derailleur – goodbye, derailleur hangers
Receiving the most striking redesign is the rear derailleur, available in XX SL, XX and X0 versions.
Removing the need for a derailleur hanger means it mounts directly to the bike’s frame at the rear wheel axle, using SRAM’s Hangerless Interface.
The rear wheel axle is used as the derailleur’s mounting point.
The axle is the centre point of the cassette, therefore the derailleur’s upper jockey wheel is in the same relative position to the cassette no matter which gear is selected, or how tight or slack the chain is.
Derailleurs mounted via a hanger are offset in relation to the cassette; their mounting point is below the cassette’s centre. T-Type addresses this with its Full Mount design.
Frames with SRAM’s UDH have the Hangerless Interface, required to fit T-Type’s new design.
The Hangerless Interface replaces the UDH.
The derailleur attaches to the bike’s bare dropout, with its machined aluminium Full Mount struts clamping the frame from either side of the Hangerless Interface.
An axle with a bushing passes through the dropout, enabling the derailleur to pivot if required.
No adjustment required
Key to removing the derailleur’s limit and b-tension adjustment screws is its Full Mount design.
This eliminates variations in distance between the derailleur and cassette, and therefore the need for limit screws.
Micro adjustments – where the derailleur’s position can be trimmed using the AXS smartphone app or the AXS Pod Controller – are still present, and may need to be used to fine-tune its position on the cassette.