Sram direct mount rear derailleur: Prototype on bikes at the World Championships in Les Gets

Since 2019, manufacturers have increasingly been installing the UDH derailleur hanger (Universal Derailleur Hanger) from Sram on their newly developed mountain bikes. Why Sram has introduced this new, universal derailleur hanger standard is now slowly becoming clear. Because with the UCI MTB World Championships in Les Gets a new Sram rear derailleur was spotted on the bikes of some cross-country racers. This new type of mountain bike derailleur from the US company has not yet been officially unveiled, but the presentation should not be too long in coming. Here are a few first photos of the new Sram AXS rear derailleur from Les Gets:

The new direct connection of the rear derailleur with internal and external support at the dropout of the frame should be significantly stiffer and more stable than the attachment to a conventional derailleur hanger. In addition, the rear derailleur body and cage of the direct mount prototype sit much further inwards, which should help to protect it better from defects or rock contact. The design of the rear derailleur differs significantly from the current Sram AXS models even though it also works wirelessly and electronically. The AXS battery is well protected between the two arms of the direct mount and the AXS button is located in a recess on the side of the rear derailleur. The carbon cage and the derailleur pulleys also deviate from the current design. The cassette and chain also appear to be new: instead of being milled from solid material as is currently the case with the XX1 version, the largest sprockets are riveted to the cassette body. The 12-speed chain is reminiscent of the flattop design that Sram uses for its eTap AXS road bike gears is used.

Only possible on frames with Sram UDH standard?

It can be assumed that the new Sram direct mount rear derailleurs will probably only fit on bikes that are designed for Sram UDH derailleur hangers. This is because the rear derailleur requires sufficient space around the right-hand rear dropout so that the mount can be fitted. And this is only likely to be the case with MTB frames in which the Sram UDH derailleur hanger is currently installed. In recent years, however, more and more manufacturers have resorted to the Sram mount for new developments. It remains to be seen to what extent the new direct mount system will also have an effect on shifting accuracy and shifting adjustment. Sram in Les Gets did not want to give us an exact date when the new MTB derailleurs will be launched on the market.

Another prototype at the MTB World Championships in Les Gets was the new Race-Fully from BMC, on which Filippo Colombo, for example, was riding. It is likely to be the successor to the BMC Fourstroke be. The Swiss rider also had the new Sram drivetrain and Sram Powermeter crankset fitted to his race bike.