Bikes Blog
Direct-mount SRAM T-Kind Eagle waves goodbye to the derailleur hanger
Mar
The revolutionary direct-mount design – described because the “largest product introduction in SRAM’s historical past” – sees the derailleur clamp the bike’s body on the rear wheel axle, slightly than being hooked up to a derailleur hanger.
Eradicating the necessity for a hanger is a completely new means of mounting a derailleur.
T-Kind is a complete new system that features all elements of a drivetrain, the place every half has been designed to work collectively.
In consequence, the brand new system isn’t suitable with any of the current-generation Eagle drivetrain elements, bar the AXS controller.
SRAM has additionally launched up to date Stealth brake levers designed to match T-Kind Eagle Transmission.
Eight years within the making
The introduction of T-Kind has been practically eight years within the making.
The derailleur’s Full Mount design takes benefit of the future-proofed dropout commonplace SRAM’s Common Derailleur Hanger (UDH) launched again in 2019.
Constructed on three rules, the brand new T-Kind Transmission is meant to extend drivetrain robustness and reliability, enhance shifting beneath load and growing ease of use and arrange.
In accordance with product supervisor Andreas Kölsch, it’s the “largest product introduction in SRAM’s historical past”, and it’s clear why.
At launch, the brand new T-Kind Eagle Transmission is out there in three ranges:
- XX SL: designed to be the lightest, highest-performing groupset
- XX: sporting burlier parts
- X0: a barely extra reasonably priced model
For full T-Kind Eagle Transmission groupsets (derailleur, AXS Pod, cranks and chainring, chain, cassette) costs begin at:
- X0: £1,715 / $1,599 / €1,900
- XX: £2,195 / $2,049 / €2,450 with out energy meter, £2,465 / $2,299 / €2,750 with
- XX SL: £2,355 / $2,199 / €2,650 with out energy meter, £2,890 / $2,699 / €3,250 with
5 issues you should learn about SRAM’s T-Kind Eagle Transmission
- It’ll solely work on bikes that use SRAM’s Common Derailleur Hanger
- The brand new derailleur has no b-tension or restrict screw adjustment
- It doesn’t want a derailleur hanger; it mounts on to the bike’s body on the rear wheel axle
- The derailleur has user-replaceable parts, such because the cage, Skid Plate and outer parallelogram hyperlinks
- Every T-Kind element is designed to work collectively, which implies it isn’t suitable with current-generation Eagle drivetrains
If you wish to examine all of the terminology referring to SRAM’s T-Kind Eagle Transmission earlier than studying the remainder of this text, you’ll be able to skip to our glossary.
You may learn Alex Evans’ XX T-Kind Eagle Transmission groupset assessment and learn how to set up the all-new T-Kind derailleur with our helpful information.
What’s new with SRAM’s T-Kind Eagle Transmission?
In brief, all of SRAM’s T-Kind Eagle Transmission parts are model new, from the derailleur to the AXS Pod Controllers.
Though nobody element is extra essential than one other, some – such because the chain and derailleur – have had larger, extra seen modifications in comparison with the pedal cranks and chainrings, for instance.
SRAM T-Kind Eagle Transmission derailleur – goodbye, derailleur hangers
Receiving essentially the most hanging redesign is the rear derailleur, out there in XX SL, XX and X0 variations.
Eradicating the necessity for a derailleur hanger means it mounts on to the bike’s body on the rear wheel axle, utilizing SRAM’s Hangerless Interface.
The rear wheel axle is used because the derailleur’s mounting level.
The axle is the centre level of the cassette, due to this fact the derailleur’s higher jockey wheel is in the identical relative place to the cassette regardless of which gear is chosen, or how tight or slack the chain is.
Derailleurs mounted through a hanger are offset in relation to the cassette; their mounting level is beneath the cassette’s centre. T-Kind addresses this with its Full Mount design.
Frames with SRAM’s UDH have the Hangerless Interface, required to suit T-Kind’s new design.
The Hangerless Interface replaces the UDH.
The derailleur attaches to the bike’s naked dropout, with its machined aluminium Full Mount struts clamping the body from both aspect of the Hangerless Interface.
An axle with a bushing passes via the dropout, enabling the derailleur to pivot if required.
No adjustment required
Key to eradicating the derailleur’s restrict and b-tension adjustment screws is its Full Mount design.
This eliminates variations in distance between the derailleur and cassette, and due to this fact the necessity for restrict screws.
Micro changes – the place the derailleur’s place could be trimmed utilizing the AXS smartphone app or the AXS Pod Controller – are nonetheless current, and should should be used to fine-tune its place on the cassette.
Preliminary or re-installation setup is required, however, in our expertise, the T-Kind Eagle Transmission setup course of is less complicated than the current-generation Eagle drivetrains.
The derailleur’s Cage Mode button – known as the Cage Lock button on earlier fashions – is used to carry the cage in a ahead place for wheel elimination. It has a secondary place known as the Setup Key that’s used throughout set up.
Placing the derailleur within the Setup Key place and interesting the devoted setup cassette sprocket (gear seven) makes setting the right chain hole between the derailleur cage and cassette doable with no need to regulate the b-tension for a given bike’s suspension sag.
This eliminates the necessity for the b-tension adjustment.
The Setup Key additionally accommodates totally different or altering chain lengths, as required by various suspension designs and chainstay figures.
SRAM has produced a sequence size chart that makes use of chainstay size (from 425mm to 470mm) and chainring measurement (30t to 42t) to outline the best variety of chain hyperlinks for any given bike.
The derailleur’s design and setup procedures negate the necessity for derailleur adjustability.
Modularity and replaceable elements
In accordance with SRAM, the derailleur’s design additionally “delivers unprecedented robustness”.
Derailleur modularity means sections of it are replaceable.
A user-replaceable Skid Plate on the derailleur’s widest portion is hooked up utilizing 2mm Allen bolts.
The parallelogram’s decrease and higher hyperlinks are additionally replaceable and are held in place with 2mm and a pair of.5mm Allen bolts.
Each pulley wheels may also be changed utilizing Torx 25 bolts.
Its cage could be eliminated and changed requiring no instruments, merely unscrewing from the derailleur’s p-knuckle.
Though the clutch or damper mechanism’s rigidity stays un-adjustable (Shimano nonetheless holds the patent for adjustable-tension derailleur clutches), it’s now built-in into the detachable cage.
Elevated T-Kind derailleur clutch rigidity addresses one of many Eagle drivetrain’s essential criticisms. Nevertheless, in keeping with SRAM, battery life is diminished marginally as a result of it requires extra motor drive to alter gear.
T-Kind is suitable with SRAM’s present AXS batteries, used on Eagle drivetrains, Reverb AXS dropper posts and Flight Attendant parts.
SRAM claims making T-Kind derailleurs replaceable and rebuildable will increase their lifespan.
Efficiency enhancements
A number of essential derailleur redesigns have been made to additional enhance efficiency.
Historically, derailleurs are positioned so the b-knuckle cants or angles it in direction of the chainring.
SRAM’s new T-Kind derailleur’s b-knuckle is straight.
As an alternative, the cage is now angled so the underside pulley is in step with the chainring, whereas the highest one traces up with the cassette’s whole vary of sprockets.
The cage has a ‘yaw angle’ or ‘kink’ throughout its size to do that, with it showing ‘bent’ from the rear.
It’s dubbed ‘Inline Cage’ as a result of it’s at all times in step with the chainring and cassette.
Subsequent up is the Magic Wheel, which refers back to the derailleur’s decrease jockey wheel.
The Magic Wheel is barely out there on XX SL and XX derailleur fashions. It may be bought as a separate improve on X0 derailleurs.
The toothed outer portion of the wheel can rotate independently from the spoked centre part. If blocked, the outer portion of the pulley continues to rotate on the stationary centre’s spokes, lowering the possibilities of chain jam and injury.
To scale back object ingestion, the cage surrounding the entrance of the decrease jockey wheel has a particular form. The pulley wheel enamel are designed to expel objects because the wheel rotates.
AXS injury defence options
Just like the current-generation Eagle AXS drivetrains, the brand new T-Kind derailleur options SRAM’s overload clutch.
The derailleur’s motor and gearbox disengage throughout onerous impacts, enabling the derailleur to maneuver out of hurt’s means. Publish-impact, the motor re-engages, returning the derailleur to its unique place.
For this iteration, SRAM has applied new protecting measures.
Regardless of the absence of restrict screws, the derailleur nonetheless can’t enter the wheel’s spokes.
The cage has a stopper plate, contacting the cassette’s largest sprocket earlier than it goes into the spokes.
A further stopper prevents it from going outboard too far.
To guard from massive frontal impacts, the derailleur can rotate rearwards on its Full Mount.
SRAM examined the derailleur’s sturdiness, the place it survived impacts of as much as 60 joules, and withstood 6,000Nm of drive earlier than its plastic parts started to deform.
In accordance with SRAM, the brand new derailleur is 10mm additional inboard than Eagle AXS drivetrain derailleurs, additional lowering the possibilities of influence injury.
Many hours of laboratory and real-world testing have given SRAM the boldness to say the derailleur has “unprecedented energy”.
SRAM T-Kind Eagle Transmission AXS Pod Controller
T-Kind has redesigned shifters, now known as AXS Pod Controllers.
The Pod Controllers eschew the previous-generation AXS controller’s analogue shifter copycat design, now with an id of their very own.
As an alternative of the Rocker Paddle or unique AXS controller buttons, Pod Controllers have two forward-facing buttons that sit above each other.
The Pod’s button capabilities could be assigned within the SRAM AXS smartphone app to carry out duties similar to shifting up or down the cassette or working a RockShox Reverb AXS seatpost.
Due to their flippable design, they are often fitted on the left-hand or right-hand aspect of the bar.
Two variations can be found (Final and commonplace), with the Final mannequin getting interchangeable concave or convex buttons.
Pod controllers could be damaged down into their constituent elements, the place the electronics and ergonomic portion could be cut up.
Though SRAM didn’t say for certain, Pods might be customised with extra or totally different management choices to come back.
Consumer repairability may be doable; if the digital portion of the Pod breaks, a alternative might be put in simply.
There are two mounting choices for the Pods.
First is the all-new Infinity Clamp. Sharing its appears with an infinity loop (therefore the title), the Pod’s mounting interface is identical diameter because the handlebar, so the clamp could be run with both finish on the bar or the Pod.
The Infinity Clamp makes use of a single Torx 25 bolt to clamp the bars and Pod, however doesn’t ‘open’, so wants sliding onto the handlebars.
The clamping band is skinny, so positioning it to suit with brake levers, ebike remotes and private preferences must be simpler.
Second is the Bridge Clamp. This replaces SRAM’s Matchmaker X direct-mount system, however capabilities equally.
As an alternative of two horizontal mounting positions, the Bridge Clamp has 16mm of sliding adjustability, and the Pod could be angled on the clamp.
Fore and aft adjustment stays the identical as SRAM’s Matchmaker X, nonetheless.
SRAM T-Kind Eagle Transmission cassette, chain and chainring
Eagle Transmission cassettes have been redesigned, their enamel now utilizing SRAM’s alternating slender–broad enamel thickness X-Sync design.
The chain matches on the cassette in a selected means, and whether it is positioned incorrectly, after one full revolution it ‘resets’ to the right place.
Mixed with X-Sync enamel, the cassette has particular shift lanes that allow or block the chain from transferring to the subsequent gear.
Particular shift ramps, in keeping with SRAM, imply the chain is at all times in everlasting contact with the cassette because it shifts.
Shift ramps and X-Sync enamel are mixed with firmware-based derailleur Cassette Mapping.
The timing created by the cassette’s X-Sync tooth sample means the derailleur’s shift sequence aligns with the shift ramps; it solely shifts to the subsequent gear when it’s permitted to take action by the cassette and when the firmware is aware of a ramp is ‘out there’.
With the bike in a stand, that is evident: press the shift button repeatedly whereas turning the cranks slowly and there’s a delay between the button press and the derailleur’s shift.
This has all been executed to enhance on-power shifting, with SRAM claiming it “shift[s] completely beneath load”, even withstanding a “1,000-watt surge of energy in your eMTB in a full dash”.
The cassette’s 55mm chain line is alleged to enhance put on life and create much less excessive chain angles between the cassette and chainring. It has been moved outboard by 2.5mm in comparison with Eagle drivetrain cassettes.
Its ratios have been up to date too. Retaining the Eagle drivetrain’s 520 per cent vary, the second and third largest cogs at the moment are 44t and 38t respectively (up from 42t and 36t).
The cassette’s sprocket sizes are: 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 38, 44 and 52.
X0 and XX cassettes have aluminium 52t sprockets. The 42t and 36t are produced from stamped metal, and the remaining 10-32t are machined metal.
The XX SL cassette has three aluminium sprockets (38t, 44t and 52t) pinned to an aluminium spider. The remaining sprockets are cast and CNC machined from metal.
Every cassette has a pink elastomer behind the seventh gear to indicate the setup cog, used when putting in the Eagle Transmission.
T-Kind Eagle Transmission Flattop chain
Taking cues from SRAM’s highway bike chains, the brand new T-Kind chain’s prime portion is flat.
The visible redesign is paired with a brand new width and improved energy to accommodate elevated shifting forces.
The XX SL model saves weight with hole outer plates and pins, providing an “unprecedented” strength-to-weight ratio.
XX-level chains forego the hole plates however preserve hole pins. Claimed to be SRAM’s strongest-ever chain, its onerous chrome end is designed to enhance put on life.
The X0 chain has stable pins and plates. Its Darkish Polar end has a Bodily Vapour Deposition (PVD) coating to withstand corrosion and put on.
XX and X0 chains are rated to be used on electrical mountain bikes, however in keeping with SRAM the XX SL chain isn’t appropriate.
Particular Flattop Powerlocks have been developed for T-Kind.
T-Kind Eagle Transmission chainrings
T-Kind chainrings have an up to date X-Sync tooth profile, regardless of sharing the nomenclature of the earlier Eagle drivetrains.
In accordance with SRAM, T-Kind chainrings are backwards suitable with Eagle drivetrain chains, however Eagle drivetrain chainrings aren’t suitable with T-Kind Transmission chains and cassettes.
T-Kind chainrings use an 8-bolt direct-mount design and can be found in sizes between 30t and 38t (in 2t jumps) relying on mannequin.
XX and X0 chainrings are suitable with a detachable and replaceable, two-position bash guard. The XX SL chainring is designed to be as gentle as doable, with machined sections to save lots of weight.
An XX SL threaded-mount energy meter chainring can also be out there.
Electrical mountain bike chainrings are additionally out there. SRAM makes chainrings for Bosch, Brose, Shimano STEPS and 104 BCD motors.
SRAM T-Kind Eagle Transmission crankset and energy meters
The brand new cranksets can be found in three variations.
XX SL cranks use a carbon fibre hollow-core design. SRAM claims they’re the lightest ISO-certified crank in the marketplace.
The XX model nonetheless makes use of a carbon fibre development, however has a foam core for improved energy.
X0 cranks, for the primary time, are produced from aluminium as an alternative of carbon fibre.
They’ve essentially the most hanging look of the brand new T-Kind vary because of a cut-out portion designed to save lots of weight with out sacrificing stiffness.
A cultured space is claimed to assist cut back the visually degrading results of scuffing.
XX and X0 eMTB cranks are additionally out there.
Every of the cranksets is out there in 165mm, 170mm and 175mm lengths.
SRAM T-Kind Eagle Transmission energy meters
All of the cranksets are power-meter prepared, however devoted XX SL, XX and X0 energy meter variations are additionally out there.
The XX SL crankset makes use of a dual-sided spider-based energy meter with replaceable threaded chainring.
SRAM claims it has a +/- 1.5 per cent accuracy score. It boasts a 200-hour battery life from the replaceable CR2032 coin cell.
It connects through Bluetooth and is suitable with RockShox’s Flight Attendant computerized suspension adjustment system.
MagicZero expertise is claimed to routinely recalibrate the ability meter as you experience, and it doesn’t want a cadence magnet.
It has an IPX7 waterproof score.
The XX and X0 cranksets use an axle-based DUB-PWR energy meter. This homes Quarq’s energy meter contained in the crank axle spindle.
It measures left-side energy to calculate whole watts, with a claimed accuracy of +/- 3 per cent.
It makes use of AAA lithium batteries with a claimed 400-hour life. It’s IPX7 waterproof-rated and connects through Bluetooth.
It’s suitable with RockShox Flight Attendant and can be utilized with T-Kind chainrings with bash guards.
XX and X0 left-hand crank arms with energy meters can be found as an aftermarket improve.
Is SRAM’s new T-Kind Eagle Transmission suitable with SRAM Eagle drivetrains?
In brief, no, the brand new T-Kind Eagle Transmission isn’t suitable with any present Eagle drivetrain parts.
Mixing Eagle Transmission and Eagle drivetrain derailleurs, cassettes, chainrings and chains isn’t doable.
The exception to this rule is the Eagle drivetrain AXS controllers and AXS Pod Controllers, that are inter-compatible.
Moreover, T-Kind Eagle Transmission chainrings are suitable with Eagle drivetrain chains, however Eagle drivetrain chainrings aren’t suitable with T-Kind parts.
Is my bike suitable with SRAM’s new T-Kind Eagle Transmission?
Any bike that fulfils SRAM’s UDH Specification with a Hangerless Interface is suitable with SRAM’s new T-Kind Eagle Transmission.
Should you’re uncertain whether or not your bike makes use of SRAM’s UDH, you’ll be able to examine on the UDH suitable bike finder net web page.
SRAM T-Kind Eagle Transmission weights
Previous to the launch of Eagle Transmission, we have been in a position to weigh full XX SL and XX Powermeter T-Kind groupsets.
And not using a energy meter, the XX SL groupset weighed 1,533g, barely lower than an equal Shimano M9100 XTR groupset (1,547g).
With an influence meter, this bumped as much as 1,709g.
The XX groupset with in-built DUB-PWR energy meter weighed 1,785g, making it 96g lighter than an equal Shimano XT M8100 groupset and 252g heavier than an equal XTR M9100 group.
SRAM has supplied some claimed weights for its T-Kind Eagle Transmission parts.
SRAM T-Kind Eagle Transmission groupset and particular person element costs
Eight variants of T-Type Eagle Transmission groupsets will be available to buy.
A groupset’s core parts include the rear derailleur (with battery and charger), AXS Pod Controller (with Infinity Clamp), cassette, chain, chainring and cranks.
Power meter groupsets add a power meter to that list, while ebike groupsets remove the chainring.
- XX SL T-Type Eagle Transmission Powermeter AXS groupset: £2,890 / $2,699 / €3,350
- XX SL T-Type Eagle Transmission AXS groupset: £2,355 / $2,199 / €2,650
- XX T-Type Eagle Transmission Powermeter AXS groupset: £2,465 / $2,299 / €2,750
- XX T-Type Eagle Transmission AXS groupset: £2,195 / £2,049 / €2,450
- X0 T-Type Eagle Transmission AXS groupset: £1,713 / $1,599 / €1,900
Electric mountain bike groupsets:
- XX T-Type Eagle E-MTB Transmission AXS groupset: from £1,530 / $1,599 / €1,700 to £1,800 / $1,849 / €2,000
- X0 T-Type Eagle E-MTB Transmission AXS groupset: from £1,240 / $1,299 / €1,370 to £1,400 / $1,499 / €1,550
Below is a list of all the T-Type Eagle Transmission components and their prices.
SRAM T-Type Eagle Transmission spare parts
At T-Type’s launch, SRAM was coy about specifics on spare part availability and pricing.
The brand has assured us the derailleur’s rebuildable portions will be available to buy from retailers.
SRAM T-Type Eagle Transmission glossary
- T-Type Eagle Transmission: the overarching name of SRAM’s latest components. The name draws a clear distinction between this generation of products and previous Eagle drivetrain parts
- Eagle drivetrain: this refers to all previous Eagle drivetrain components
- UDH: stands for Universal Derailleur Hanger, and is the standard required for T-Type components to be compatible with a bike
- Hangerless Interface: UDH-compatible bikes will have a Hangerless Interface. This is required for T-Type derailleur compatibility
- Full Mount: used to describe how T-Type derailleurs engage or clamp both the inboard and outboard faces of the frame’s Hangerless Interface
- Skid Plates: replaceable and removable sections of the derailleur that help protect it from damage
- Inline Cage: used to describe the T-Type derailleur’s cage, that lines up with the bike’s chainring and cassette
- Magic Wheel: thanks to its design, it permits continued chain movement even if the pulley wheel is blocked
- Cage Mode button: used to move the derailleur into its Setup, Open or Ride modes, previously known as the Cage Lock button
- Setup Key: the Cage Mode button is also used as the Setup Key, that has an A or B position. Depending on the frame the derailleur is fitted to, one of those positions will be needed for correct setup
- AXS Pod Controller: SRAM’s terminology for a T-Type gear shifter
- Infinity Clamp: the AXS Pod Controller’s bar mount
- Bridge Clamp: the AXS Pod Controller’s dedicated brake lever mount, previously known as Matchmaker X
- X-Sync: the alternating width tooth profile used on T-Type cassettes, chainrings and derailleur jockey wheels
- Cassette Mapping: firmware within T-Type rear derailleurs that aids shift performance
- MagicZero: the chainring-based power meter’s passive in-built self-calibration tool
- DUB-PWR: one-sided power meter that’s built into left-hand T-Type pedal crank axles