The SunRace Driven MZ was another step in SunRace trying to make an ATB derailleur that was truly world class. It certainly used world class materials, with an aluminium hanger bolt, a carbon outer pulley cage plate and a titanium cable clamp bolt. It shared all this tech with gold anodised touches, a certain CNC-like look and groovy cutaway sealed bearing pulleys. And finally an aquaintance of mine, who was one of the few people to use a SunRace Driven MZ in anger, could not praise the black crackle finish enough - apparently it shed mud better than any other derailleur he had ever used.

But it also has its weirdnesses. Why is there no cable adjuster? And then there is that perennial SunRace question - why is it so goddarn heavy?

This example has a medium length pulley cage, I believe that there was also a version with long cage. You may also note a large number of similarities between this derailleur and some microSHIFT designs, this may indicate that the two companies worked together on this derailleur.

Exotic it surely is, lightweight it ain't

• Derailleur brands: SunRace, possibly designed in association with microSHIFT
• Country: Taiwan
• Date of introduction: 2008
• Date of this example: unknown
• Model no.: RDMZ7.MD00
• Weight: 235g
• Maximum cog: 34 teeth
• Total capacity: 33 teeth
• Pulley centre to centre: 67mm
• Index compatibility: 9 speed
• Chain width: 3/32"
• Logic: top normal
• B pivot: sprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: aluminium with a carbon outer pulley cage plate, an aluminium hanger bolt and a smattering of titanium small parts