MTB derailleur hangers

How to choose your mountain bike derailleur hanger

The hanger is a sacrificial part: it bends or breaks to protect the frame and derailleur. VAR covers references by frame brand, while SRAM and Burgtec cover the universal UDH standard.

How do you identify the right reference?

• The hanger depends on the frame, not the derailleur: brand, model and often year.
• The most reliable option is to remove the old one and compare it : shape, bolt spacing, thickness.
• The same manufacturer uses several hangers depending on the range and model year.
• If in doubt, the reference engraved on the original hanger is the best place to start.

What is the UDH standard?

• UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) is a single hanger adopted by many frame manufacturers.
• One reference can then replace dozens of specific hangers.
• It is also the a requirement for SRAM Transmission drivetrains, which attach directly to the axle, without an intermediate hanger.
• A UDH-compatible frame is generally identified as such by its manufacturer.

Why it is designed to bend

A soft aluminium hanger absorbs the impact instead of the frame. Do not try to straighten it several times: the metal fatigues and eventually breaks mid-ride, sometimes pulling the derailleur into the spokes.

The part to keep a spare of

A spare hanger weighs a few dozen grams and fits in a saddle bag. It is the part that turns a finished ride into a simple ten-minute stop — especially as it is rarely available at short notice outside its own network.

See also: MTB rear derailleurs · MTB derailleur jockey wheels and cages · Drivetrain parts and accessories