Originally Posted by
Marcus_Ti
Actually no, this is just a Shimano "direct mount" RD. that ends up about in the same physical alignment as a traditional RD with hanger (and mounting knuckle). The DM mounting is stiffer and more precisely standardized than RD hangers to boot. The odd visual is purely camera alignment and gearing. Sadly the DM standard hasn't caught on, but it is superior....so it is probably going away in the dustbin of history.
That frameset having slider dropouts--you could change the wheel/axle to a fixed SS or IGH or just about anything. It is a very flexible platform.
Spoke protectors are great...if you're the sort that ignores your low-limit screw.
It's been my understanding that direct mount derailleurs were devised to eliminate the impact that larger cross-section carbon fibre stays and thru-axles were having on the crowding of the traditional derailleur mount. The solution was to move the move the mounting hole further away from the axle. However, yes they maintain the same parallelogram and jockey wheel alignment.