{"id":47498,"date":"2023-03-27T18:12:33","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T16:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=721263"},"modified":"2023-03-27T18:34:14","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T16:34:14","slug":"is-shimano-about-to-ditch-derailleur-hangers-patent-reveals-direct-mount-derailleur-design","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/is-shimano-about-to-ditch-derailleur-hangers-patent-reveals-direct-mount-derailleur-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Shimano about to ditch derailleur hangers? Patent reveals direct-mount derailleur design"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shimano looks to be following SRAM with a direct-mount derailleur design <\/p>

By Nick Clark\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 27 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

A patent application filed by Shimano appears to show that the brand is working on an integrated rear derailleur, similar to what we\u2019ve seen on SRAM\u2019s new T-Type Eagle Transmission.<\/p>\n

The patent drawing shows a clamp design with the derailleur fitting directly onto the rear dropout, removing the need for a derailleur hanger, and held in place by the thru-axle.<\/p>\n

The patent application, filed in June 2022, hints at Shimano moving to a design similar to SRAM\u2019s direct-mount T-Type rear derailleur.<\/p>\n

However, as with any patent application, concrete details are limited. It does, however, provide another hint as to where the future of high-end drivetrains may lie.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we know so far.<\/p>\n

What is SRAM T-Type?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
SRAM\u2019s new T-Type Eagle Transmission uses a direct-mount rear derailleur.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Before, we look at Shimano\u2019s patent, let\u2019s quickly look back at SRAM\u2019s new T-Type Eagle Transmission<\/a>, launched only last week.<\/p>\n

In one of the most significant developments in drivetrain design in a number of years, T-Type Eagle combines SRAM\u2019s existing Universal Derailleur Hanger standard with a new, direct-mount rear derailleur.<\/p>\n

The new derailleur has no B-tension or limit screw adjustment, and doesn\u2019t need a derailleur hanger. Instead, it mounts directly to the bike\u2019s frame<\/a> at the dropout.<\/p>\n

The derailleur has user-replaceable components and, all told, SRAM says the new T-Type Transmission is intended to increase drivetrain robustness and reliability, improve shifting under load and offer easier setup.<\/p>\n

So what about Shimano?<\/p>\n

What has Shimano patented?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Shimano\u2019s hanger patent drawing, showing the thru-axle threaded into the frame.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Shimano\u2019s patent drawing<\/a> shows a design for the mounting of a derailleur \u201ccoaxially\u201d to the rear wheel of a bike.<\/p>\n

Shimano says the purpose of the patent is \u201cto provide a rear derailleur with improved usability\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The derailleur mount is attached coaxially to the rear axle.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Key to this is what Shimano describes as an \u201c\u2018angular position structure\u201d. This looks similar to a B-gap screw on the rear of the mount and will likely be used for the initial setup of the rear derailleur<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This could also suggest that Shimano\u2019s design is intended to work with different cassette sizes<\/a>. By comparison, SRAM\u2019s T-Type derailleur forgoes the B-gap screw as it is designed to specifically work with a 10-52t cassette.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A screw is used to set the angular adjustment of the derailleur.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Shimano says the B-gap screw improves usability because it \u201callows for easy adjustment of the angular position of the rear derailleur relative to the frame of the bicycle\u201d.<\/p>\n

The patent application shows the setup tool needed. This measures the number of teeth on the cassette to help line up the derailleur correctly.<\/p>\n

The patent document also specifies the thickness of the two arms that fit around the dropout. It says these arms will have a radial thickness of at least 2mm to increase the rigidity of the rear derailleur.<\/p>\n

How does Shimano\u2019s patent compare to SRAM\u2019s T-Type?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Is Shimano working on a direct-mount rear derailleur?<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Shimano\u2019s patent depicts a similar-looking design to SRAM\u2019s T-Type rear derailleur<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shimano\u2019s drawing shows two arms sandwiching the rear dropout.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
SRAM\u2019s T-Type is mounted around the axle, enabling it to work with a wide range of bikes that use the UDH dropout.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As with the T-Type mount, Shimano\u2019s patent drawing shows the rear axle screwing into a thread used to mount the derailleur, centring the derailleur around a constant point of reference.<\/p>\n

Ahead of launching the T-Type Eagle Transmission, SRAM introduced the Universal Derailleur Hanger dropout standard in 2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A bike must use UDH in order to be compatible with SRAM T-Type\u2019s Hangerless Interface and, in turn, accept the T-Type rear derailleur.<\/p>\n

Shimano\u2019s drawings hint at a similar design, though at this stage we\u2019re unable to comment on how it might influence frame design and, significantly, cross-compatibility with SRAM\u2019s UDH standard.<\/p>\n

Will Shimano go direct-mount?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Shimano\u2019s drawing shows the design depicted on a mountain bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

This patent application suggests Shimano may add a true direct-mount option to its mountain bike range.<\/p>\n

On the one hand, Shimano appears to be following SRAM, but this would not be Shimano\u2019s first foray into direct-mount derailleurs, at least in name.<\/p>\n

Shimano has existing \u2018direct-mount\u2019 standards, such as the Direct-Mount Rear Derailleur (DRD), which debuted in 2012 and replaced the upper link of traditional hangers, connecting the frame to the upper pivot of compatible derailleurs.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Derailleurs have traditionally been mounted below the axle.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

However, this still sees the derailleur mounted below the dropout. This latest patent shows the first Shimano design whereby the derailleur is mounted directly to the axle\/dropout.<\/p>\n

Will we see Shimano\u2019s patent come to life? Well, we\u2019ll have to wait and see on that one \u2013 but, given SRAM\u2019s move, a direct-mount counter-punch from Shimano seems more likely than not.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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