How to install and set up SRAM's T-Type Eagle Transmission derailleur

How to install and set up SRAM's T-Type Eagle Transmission derailleur

Master the setup and installation process for T-Type's new hangerless design

The derailleur clamps the bike's frame from both sides.

Ian Linton / Our Media

Alex Evans

Published: March 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm

SRAM's all-new T-Type Eagle Transmission design mounts directly to the bike's frame coaxially, with the rear wheel losing the derailleur hanger.

As a result of removing the hanger, no b-tension or limit adjustment screws are needed; the distance between the cassette and derailleur is constant.

In doing so, however, SRAM needed to re-think the installation process.

The new process simplifies installation vastly, without the need for measurement tools and chain-length calculations.

Instead, some simple and easy-to-follow steps are required to get T-Type derailleurs performing correctly.

For more about the new T-Type Transmission, read my news story.

If you'd like to find out what it has been like living with T-Type for six months and over 1,000km of riding, check out my in-depth review.

Follow the instructions below to get your T-Type derailleur installed. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Steps to take before installing your Eagle T-Type Transmission derailleur

  • Install the cassette, cranks, chainring and AXS Pod Controller following the instructions on SRAM's website. These are virtually unchanged from SRAM's Eagle drivetrain components
  • Fit a charged AXS battery to the derailleur. All SRAM AXS batteries are compatible with T-Type
  • Pair the AXS Pod Controller with the rear derailleur by following the instructions on SRAM's website
  • Remove your bike's Universal Derailleur Hanger. The UDH's bolt uses a reverse thread, so turn it clockwise to loosen
  • Make sure the derailleur's Setup Key is in the correct position for your bike. Consult SRAM's website for more information
  • Shift the derailleur to the correct setup gear, according to the instructions on SRAM's website for your bike

Install the Bushing Frame Insert

The T-Type rear derailleur has a small bushing insert for the bike frame's Hangerless Interface. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Remove the derailleur's mount bolt and bushing using an 8mm Allen key.

Clean the bike's Hangerless Interface and make sure there is no paint or other debris inside the dropout.

The Hangerless Interface is left when the UDH is removed. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Do not grease the bushing or the Hangerless Interface.

Install the bushing into the frame's Hangerless Interface. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Insert the bushing into the frame's Hangerless Interface from the outside with the lipped edge facing outwards.

Do not use grease and ensure it's fully installed. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Attaching the T-Type Eagle Transmission derailleur

Prior to installation, verify the knurled ring (that's on the inboard portion of the derailleur's Full Mount) is rotated fully clockwise on its stopper. The stopper has to be between the ring's two 'horns'.

Check the knurled ring is rotated fully clockwise against its stopper. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Grease the derailleur's mount bolt threads and underside of the bolt's flange.

Only apply grease to the threads and underside of the bolt flange. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Slide the derailleur's Full Mount over the bike's Hangerless Interface and Bushing Frame Insert. Then install the derailleur mount bolt from the outside.

Slide the derailleur over the frame. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Tighten the bolt using an 8mm Allen key by turning it clockwise until it's snug.

Tighten the derailleur's mount bolt until it's snug. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Next, loosen the mount bolt by one full turn counter-clockwise, using an 8mm Allen key.

Set the derailleur to its extended position by pushing the cage forward and locking it in place using the Cage Lock button.

Lock the derailleur in its forwards, extended position. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Mounting the rear wheel

Mount the bike's rear wheel according to your frame manufacturer's instructions. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Grease the rear wheel axle threads prior to installation.

Install the rear wheel according to your bike manufacturer's specifications and tighten the axle to snug.

Loosen the rear wheel axle one full turn by turning it counter-clockwise.

Sizing and mounting the T-Type Eagle Transmission chain

Make sure the chain is sized according to SRAM's chainstay length and chainring size chart. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Using SRAM's chain length chart, size your chain according to the instructions.

Chainring size and chainstay length will dictate how many links your chain needs.

Chainstay length (mm)30T32T34T36T38t40T42T
425114114116116118118120
426114114116116118118120
427114114116116118118120
428114116116118118120120
429114116116118118120120
430114116116118118120120
431114116116118118120120
432114116116118118120120
433114116116118118120120
434116116118118120120122
435116116118118120120122
436116116118118120120122
437116116118118120120122
438116116118118120120122
439116116118118120120122
440116116118118120120122
441116118118120120122122
442116118118120120122122
443116118118120120122122
444116118118120120122122
445116118118120120122122
446116118118120120122122
447118118120120122122124
448118118120120122122124
449118118120120122122124
450118118120120122122124
451118118120120122122124
452118118120120122122124
453118118120120122122124
454118120120122122124124
455118120120122122124124
456118120120122122124124
457118120120122122124124
458118120120122122124124
459118120120122122124124
460120120122122124124126
461120120122122124124126
462120120122122124124126
463120120122122124124126
464120120122122124124126
465120120122122124124126
466120122122124124126126
467120122122124124126126
468120122122124124126126
469120122122124124126126
470120122122124124126126

Brand new T-Type chains have 126 links, so count backwards along the chain to the number of links you need.

Chain lengths are specified in even numbers and you need cut the chain with an 'open' end so the PowerLock can be installed later.

The setup cog has a red ring. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Place the correctly sized T-Type chain with its flat section facing away from the centre of the cassette on the cassette's setup cog, denoted by the red ring.

Some bikes need to use a different gear for setup. Consult SRAM's website to check which setup cog is needed for your bike.

The chain has to be installed with the flat section facing away from the centre of the cassette. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Pull each end of the chain together beneath the bike's chainstay.

Connect the chain with it beneath the frame's chainstay. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Install the PowerLock with the flat portion orientated in the same direction as the chain.

Install the PowerLock by pushing the connectors together. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Move the T-Type Transmission derailleur to the Setup position

Push the derailleur cage forward to release the Cage Mode button carefully.

Move the cage to its Setup position. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Reposition the cage so the Cage Mode button locks into the Cage Setup position.

Rotate the pedal cranks forward until the PowerLock is above the centre of the chainstay.

With the PowerLock above the chainstay, you can lock it in place. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Double check the two halves of the PowerLock are installed and engaged correctly.

You can lock it in place by pushing down on the cranks with the rear brake engaged, or use chain link pliers. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Use chain link pliers to lock the PowerLock, or apply the rear brake and push down on the pedal cranks.

The PowerLock should click into place.

Tightening the T-Type Transmission derailleur and rear wheel axle

Prior to continuing, check the following:

  • The rear axle and derailleur mount bolt are loosened from snug by one full turn
  • The derailleur is in the correct Setup Key and Setup Mode for your bike
  • The chain is on the correct Setup Cog for your bike and is engaged correctly on the cassette and chainring
  • The PowerLock is closed; on full-suspension bikes, rear suspension is uncompressed with no sag, unless instructed otherwise on SRAM's website.
Pull back on the derailleur to remove slack from the chain. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Pull back on the lower portion of the derailleur's cage until the chain is tight.

Continue to pull back while rotating the crank forward two rotations to confirm the chain stays in the Setup Cog.

Use a torque wrench to correctly tighten the rear derailleur. - Ian Linton / Our Media

While continuing to pull back on the derailleur's cage to keep the chain taut, tighten the derailleur mount to 35Nm with an 8mm Allen key.

If there is slack in the chain once you've tightened the derailleur, loosen it and perform this step again.

Make sure the knurled ring mark aligns with the mark on the derailleur's Full Mount.

Check the knurled ring and Full Mount marks align. - Ian Linton / Our Media

If it does not align, loosen the rear wheel axle and derailleur mount bolt and rotate it clockwise so it's touching the knurled ring stop.

If you need to do this, repeat the above derailleur mount bolt tightening steps.

Tighten the rear wheel axle to its correct spec. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Tighten the rear wheel axle to the manufacturer-supplied torque.

Release the derailleur cage from Setup Mode to Ride Mode by rotating it forwards, then carefully letting it return to its unlocked position.

Final checks prior to riding

We hope you enjoy your T-Type Transmission as much as BikeRadar's senior technical editor Alex did! - Ian Linton / Our Media

In a bike stand, rotate the cranks forward, shifting slowly through each of the gears.

To fine-tune gears, either use SRAM's AXS smartphone app or press the AXS button and upper or lower shifter button simultaneously to MicroAdjust the derailleur inboard or outboard.

Your SRAM T-Type Eagle Transmission is now installed and ready to ride!

Alex Evans

Senior technical editor

Alex Evans is BikeRadar and MBUK’s senior mountain bike technical editor, as well as a regular on our podcast and YouTube channels. Working for BikeRadar and MBUK for nearly 10 years, Alex has been living and breathing mountain bikes since he was nine years old. Competing in his first downhill race aged 11, he went on to race in DH world cups and other international events across Europe – and even represented Great Britain at the downhill European Championships. Before moving back to the UK when he landed a job as MBUK’s features editor, Alex lived in the French Alpine mountain biking hotspot of Morzine for eight years. There, he clocked up an enormous amount of riding – and broke more bikes than he cares to remember. Alex now calls Scotland’s famously gnarly and gruelling trails of the Tweed Valley home, which is where he tests kit and bikes. While once a gravity racer, Alex now rides to the tops of his descents and feels most at home on an enduro bike or eMTB. He’s no stranger to flat-out efforts, however, and isn’t shy about donning Lycra to ride cross-country, or even competing in the occasional road hill climb event. Although he’s retired from official competition, he loves a challenge, especially when it comes to trying to top his local Strava leaderboards – just for fun, of course.

  • Height: 178cm
  • Bike size: Large/480mm reach
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