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Jun 13, 2023

Wheels Manufacturing fuses SRAM UDH with Shimano direct

New derailleur hanger unleashes new levels of component cross-compatibility

New derailleur hanger unleashes new levels of component cross-compatibility

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By Oscar Huckle

Published: May 15, 2023 at 12:47 pm

Wheels Manufacturing's two new derailleur hangers enable Shimano's direct-mount rear derailleurs to be run on a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger without using the included B-link.

We believe Wheels Manufacturing is the first brand to launch such a product. Bike-specific direct-mount hangers are available for Shimano rear derailleurs, but this is the first SRAM UDH to Shimano direct-mount adaptor we’re aware of.

Shimano's direct-mount standard was introduced in 2012, with the brand's aim to create a stiffer interface between the frame and rear derailleur to improve shifting quality.

With a compatible hanger, the rear derailleur can be bolted straight onto the frame. Otherwise, you would need to bolt the derailleur onto a B-link, which then connects to the hanger.

The new hangers should combine the improved shifting performance of running a Shimano direct-mount derailleur with the benefits of SRAM's UDH. The hanger is designed to pivot backwards in the event of a chain jam and it sports a hooked lip to push the chain back onto the smallest cassette cog if it slips off.

Wheels Manufacturing will offer two dropouts made of CNC-machined 6061 aluminium with a black anodised finish – the Dropout-562 Gravel and the Dropout-653 Mountain.

Wheels Manufacturing says the Dropout-562 Gravel is optimised for the following rear derailleurs:

The Dropout-653 Mountain is compatible with the following rear derailleurs:

Both derailleur hangers retail for $60. UK and international pricing is to be confirmed.

Technical writer

Oscar Huckle is a technical writer at BikeRadar. He has been an avid cyclist since his teenage years, initially catching the road cycling bug and riding for a local club. He's since been indoctrinated into gravel riding and more recently has taken to the dark art of mountain biking. His favourite rides are epic road or gravel routes, and he has also caught the bikepacking bug hard after completing the King Alfred's Way and West Kernow Way. Oscar has a BA degree in English Literature and Film Studies and has close to a decade of cycling industry experience, initially working in a variety of roles at Evans Cycles before joining Carbon Bike Repair. He is particularly fond of workshop tool exotica and is a proponent of Campagnolo groupsets. Oscar prefers lightweight road and gravel frames with simple tube shapes, rather than the latest trend for aerodynamics and full integration. He is obsessed with keeping up to date with all the latest tech, is fixated with the smallest details and is known for his unique opinions.

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