It’s been nearly 4 years since we first heard about Shimano’s new DRD hangers, and while they haven’t taken over, the option is still there. The Direct Mount rear derailleur hanger was a simple enough concept – it eliminated redundant hardware and made a stronger, stiffer interface between your derailleur and your frame, while making wheel changes a lot easier. Better still, Shimano derailleurs are still being shipped with the removable B-Link so they can be used both with a standard hanger, or with a direct mount hanger. In spite of the benefits, it seems that most derailleurs are not being used in direct mount configuration which probably boils down to the lack of DRD hangers more than anything. If the frame manufacturer doesn’t make one, at this point there aren’t a whole lot of options.
This is where companies like Pilo step in. The Israeli based machining outfit has been turning out derailleur hangers and other small parts for more than a decade, and has a handful of hangers that will adapt some popular bikes to the DRD standard…
The interesting thing about the DRD standard is that there is a good chance you already have a derailleur that is compatible right now, and might not even know it. If you have a Shimano Shadow+ derailleur that is 2013 or newer (with its 8mm wide direct mount B-link), your derailleur is compatible with direct mount hangers. If you have the derailleur, the next time you need a new hanger you might consider one of these direct mount options. Available currently for select Cube, Lapierre, KTM, Santa Cruz (Tall Boy), Rocky Mountain (Thunderbolt 750), BMC, GT, and Marin bikes (check the site for the specific model compatibility), one of Pilo’s Direct Mount hangers will allow you to ditch that B-Link and extra bolt. In addition to allowing the use of DRD mounting, Pilo promises a precision hanger that is CNC machined from 6061 T651 aluminum.
Pilo also has an S10 adapter that will improve chain wrap for 40t and bigger cassettes – much like the Lindarets Goat Link. Depending on the model, direct mount hangers are selling for $40-55 depending on the model through the brand’s eBay store here in the U.S. or directly from their website. Of course, Pilo also has hundreds of standard derailleur hanger models available, along with a few bash guards and some soft goods.
