A derailleur hanger is probably not the first thing you think of when it comes to the well-known ‘marginal gains’. The originally Italian company Silca is now based in the American city of Indianapolis and makes timeless and durable accessories for cyclists. From tools and maintenance products to pumps, bottle cages and handlebar tape. But the brand has recently also started making 3D-printed derailleur pads made of titanium, and that caught our eye.
Because a derailleur hanger is of course not the most eye-catching part of your racing bike, but it can still make a difference. If you have ever had to deal with a broken derailleur hanger, you know that there is a difference in quality, but also that you should always have one in stock as a spare part. And of course there is also a difference between derailleur pads in terms of material type, weight and stiffness.
3D printed from titanium
The derailleur pads that Silca makes are not a dime a dozen pads, because the brand makes the derailleur pads from titanium using a 3D printer. To start with, Silca has started with nine different derailleur pads, and the range will be expanded as demand increases. The current pads are suitable for various models from major brands such as Giant, Specialized, Trek and Canyon.
Lighter and stiffer than the aluminum alternatives
According to Silca, the pads are stiffer and lighter than the aluminum alternatives on the market, and they won two stages in the most recent Tour de France. But unfortunately it is not mentioned by whom, so that remains a matter of guesswork. In terms of weight, depending on the path, it makes a difference of 2-12 grams, but it is mainly the stiffness where Silca tries to make the difference.
According to Silca, the derailleur pads suitable for Campagnolo and Sram are 5-6 times stiffer than the aluminum alternative and in the Shimano Direct Mount version this stiffness is even 8-10 times higher. According to Silca, this stiffness influences the speed of shifting with the rear derailleur. Because the stiffer a pad, the less it moves, making your derailleur work faster and more accurately.
The pads cost €99 and for more information visit the Silca website.
