Now you can install the new SRAM direct mount derailleur on bikes without a UDH hanger

The world of gravel and mountain biking often blur the lines, making it common to see mountain bike components on gravel bikes, especially when looking for smoother gear ratios where a rear derailleur and cassette from this discipline are chosen. The problem arises with the specific standards that are emerging for mounting derailleurs, such as SRAM's UDH, which are different from the traditional hanger used by most gravel bikes.

Component brand 5Dev launches an adapter to use T-type derailleurs on non-UDH frames

The different emerging standards often cause chaos when choosing components. The latest case is the UDH system for attaching the rear derailleur to the frame that SRAM launched for their mountain bikes, which has posed a serious limitation for gravel enthusiasts who used mountain bike derailleurs and cassettes to tackle tougher routes.

Gravel bikes derive from road bikes, which means they continue to use the traditional derailleur hanger system attached to the frame. On the other hand, some time ago SRAM launched its Universal Derailleur Hanger or UDH system in which the derailleur hanger went from being screwed to the frame to being integrated into the frame dropout, supporting the through-axle nut, a system that added strength to this element against the greater shifting force exerted by electronic shifting models.

SRAM took a further step to seek strength in shifting in their new Eagle groups, which dispensed with the traditional attachment screw to the hanger to be fixed directly to the frame by embracing the dropout on both sides and being crossed by the through-axle, in what is called the T-type system. This new type of attachment of the derailleur to the frame took advantage of the UDH design by also integrating into the axle. However, it is completely incompatible with traditional hangers, which is where the problem arises for gravel users who want to use a SRAM mountain bike derailleur.

Fortunately, there are always companies that are quick to respond to these problems, such as the component brand 5Dev, known for its spectacular machined cranks and stems, which has created an adapter to be able to mount T-type derailleurs on non-UDH bikes.

We have few details on how this adapter works, which is currently only available for Specialized Diverge, Diverge STR, and Crux bikes although, according to the brand, it would in principle be suitable for use on any bike with a 12mm through-axle, the vast majority. The only limitation that arises is the existence of sufficient space in the dropout to place it and for the wheel and derailleur to be accommodated.

In any case, an adaptation that will not be cheap for those who want to use one of the latest SRAM mountain bike derailleurs on their gravel bike since the piece in question has a price of $1,500 and, for the moment, is only available in the United States.

On the other hand, there have been rumors for some time that SRAM intends to introduce its UDH standard also in road and gravel bikes in its open war to scrape every bite of the market it holds against Shimano. It wouldn't be the first time we've seen something like this, as the arrival 4 years ago of their AXS groups meant the implementation in the road and gravel world of the core system for the XDR cassette, thus avoiding having to continue paying user rights to Shimano for the manufacture of cassettes for the HG core. Then, the wheel brands responded favorably and soon all had XDR cores as an option. Will the bike manufacturers do the same with the UDH standard?