The new TRP TR12 mountain bike derailleur has been a long time coming. It was lurking about at Sea Otter last year in various states of undress. On Aaron Gwin’s bike we saw it almost entirely clad in electrical tape with an e*thirteen TRS+ 9-46 cassette. On another, it was showing a little more mechanism while servicing a Shimano XTR 12-speed 10-51 cassette.
Now, the prototyping and testing is finally over. The TRP TR12 12-speed derailleur has landed. Along with an elegant-looking shifter made to Gwin’s exacting requirements.
TRP 12 Speed Derailleur
Looking for an alternative to the big “S” drivetrain components? TRP are closer than ever to offering a complete drivetrain with their new 12-speed derailleur offering.
Keeping nomenclature simple, TRP have named the new mech the TR12. A 12-speed derailleur for trail riding. Much like their DH7; a 7-speed derailleur for downhill. Actually, the TR12 picks up much of its technology from the DH7, including the ratchet-clutch and Hall Lock. What now? We’ll explain…
TR12 Hall Lock
The TRP TR12 derailleur features a Hall Lock; a lever integrated into the derailleur mount, which locks the movement of the B-knuckle around the mounting bolt when closed. During testing Aaron noticed that normal derailleurs would pivot and move around that bolt and make noise, something he really doesn’t like.
The Hall Lock can be opened to easily remove the rear wheel. When closed, it provides additional stability and less noise and keeps shifting quiet.
It is named the Hall Lock after John Hall, TRP’s head mechanic. “After I have installed the derailleur and get everything adjusted, I tighten the set screw to the point where it stops itself,” says Hall. “I want it to be as tight as it can be, while still being able to operate the Hall Lock lever with my fingers. That seems to be a really good spot. It keeps everything good and tight and the noise down, but when it takes a hit from a rock it doesn’t have so much tension that it can’t move out of the way.”
“If you crash or you hit your TR12 derailleur on a rock when riding the Hall Lock is meant to move, even if it’s engaged, in order to prevent catastrophic damage to the derailleur. If this happens, it’s important to take an extra step before you jump back on and ride.”
“Always be sure to release the Hall Lock and allow that derailleur B-screw to drop back down to the B plate before you turn your Hall Lock back on,” says Hall. “In this rare scenario, if you just push your derailleur back into place with the Hall Lock on, you can actually loosen that derailleur mounting bolt.”
For all that chat, Hall says he’s never actually hit this derailleur hard enough to push it off the B-plate. “It’s just one of those things to know, in the rare case it does happen, that you don’t want to just shove your derailleur back down without turning the Hall Lock off.”
TRP 12 speed Ratchet Clutch Derailleur
The TR12’s ratchet-style clutch is adjustable and can be tuned depending on your suspension and riding style. For bikes with a lot of chain growth you can free up the system by decreasing the clutch force.
It features a small on/off lever to remove clutch force when you need to remove the rear wheel. The derailleur uses large diameter clutch surfaces for wear resistance and predictable force generation. The oversized friction surface also provides a consistent force output.
Indicators of chain length are printed on the knuckle and the cage for easy viewing. The marking is there to give a quick and accurate measure of the system’s required chain length during setup.
TR12 Rear Derailleur Specs
The TRP 12 speed derailleur is designed for use with cassettes with a large sprocket of no more than 50T. It weighs a claimed 282g, composed of forged aluminium and carbon fiber. The guide (upper) pulley is an 11-tooth cog while the tension (lower) pulley is larger at 15t. They each use sealed stainless steel bearings.
The TRP TR12 Shifter
At the handlebar end is TRP’s new TR12 shifter. This was designed chiefly with ergonomics in mind. The end result is a thumb-thumb shifter that works with the natural sweep of the thumb, rather than rotating away from it throughout the sweep. TRP say this unique positioning allows for a more consistent contact patch providing overall better grip and shifting performance when the trail gets rowdy.
The TRP 12 speed shifter offers a whopping five-cog sweep on the cable release lever. Advance of the lever is adjustable to suit different size hands. The “home” position of the lower lever is also adjustable within a 40-degree range.
TRP say they have built an enhanced grip and tactile feel into lever paddles of the TRP 12 speed shifter. Embossed grooves on the advance and release lever help provide purchase for your thumb.
TR12 Pricing & Availability
The TRP 12 speed derailleur/shifter kit is available for purchase now with same day global shipping. Get it in black, gold or silver, direct from the TRP website. $329.99 will fetch you the derailleur and shifter in any color combo.
