Yearly, folks on the present ask us ‘what’s the best factor you’ve seen on the present?’ Often, it may be fairly powerful to recall one particular factor, however this yr it was fairly simple. Madrone Cycles is a model new firm out of Ashland, Oregon based by Aaron Bland. A mechanical engineer by commerce, Aaron launched us to the world of Madrone Cycles which is beginning with substitute SRAM derailleur components, instruments to rebuild them, and even a prototype rear derailleur of their very own design!
Basically, Madrone Cycles will now provide many of the substitute components you would wish to rebuild both a SRAM AXS Eagle or SRAM Eagle mechanical rear derailleur. That features pins, bushings, snap rings, hyperlinks, cages, and even derailleur pulleys. Along with simply providing the substitute components, Madrone claims that the components are extra strong than the inventory parts which ought to improve the sturdiness of the derailleur after the rebuild.
We’ve got no approach to validate Madrone’s claims, however primarily based on how beefy their hyperlinks look in comparison with the inventory SRAM hyperlinks on this damaged AXS GX derailleur, we’re inclined to consider them.
That very same design philosophy applies to their substitute cage and pulleys as effectively. The cage is made with thicker aluminum alongside the entrance the place it could influence sticks and rocks, and the pulleys are stable to forestall any small sticks from getting caught inside. As soon as reassembled, it is best to have a derailleur with higher performance that additionally retains the primary unit out of the landfill. Madrone gave us a demo of the restore course of on the present with one of the crucial beat up SRAM AXS derailleurs I’ve ever seen, and the end result was fairly superb.
Providing the substitute components is one factor, however with out specialty instruments, rebuilding a derailleur shouldn’t be a straightforward activity. Even with particular instruments it may be a problem, however Madrone is providing a line of 3D printed instruments to make it as simple as potential. The job requires the snap ring instrument and spring instrument that are included with the equipment, however it’s additionally really useful that you just buy the pin press instrument. With out it, you’ll want some sort of arbor press or specialty pin press instrument, however Madrone gives it with the total hyperlink equipment for under $25 extra so it looks as if a sensible transfer. That places the worth of AXS hyperlink equipment at $110 with out the instrument, or $135 with. The Mechanical Eagle hyperlink equipment is barely much less at $95 with out the instrument. Alternatively, you should purchase the instrument alone for $45.
The cage will run $79, whereas the pulley equipment is $63, however they are often purchased collectively for $128. You may as well simply get a substitute pin set for $25. Madrone has discovered that usually simply the derailleur pins will be bent in a crash which may end up in shifting that’s barely off, so it may be place to begin.
What about SRAM?
We requested if Aaron had labored with SRAM on any of the components or had any discussions with the model, and thus far the reply isn’t any. Aaron talked about that he would love to satisfy with SRAM and get their impressions of the components however the model shouldn’t be affiliated with SRAM in any means.
Prototype Derailleur Too?
One factor Aaron made clear was that substitute SRAM derailleur components and instruments weren’t the primary focus of the model. Proof of that was the prototype rear derailleur that they had within the sales space. The inexperienced derailleur is their very own design and has a cam on the underside of it that permits it for use with each SRAM and Shimano shifters. It’s nonetheless very a lot in prototype stage, however was polished sufficient to indicate. They plan for the derailleur to be totally user-serviceable, and it’ll have a clutch – although in all probability not hydraulic.
