At first glance the LTWOO eR9 is not that interesting or ground-breaking a product. It's unrelievedly black, it's electronic-derailleur-shaped, it's not-unreasonably heavy, it's commendably well finished and mildly likeable. It was not the first Chinese electronic derailleur to hit the market. It was not even the first LTWOO electronic derailleur - that prize goes to the top-line LTWOO eRX.

The reason it is appearing in this collection is because, in 2024, a brand new example cost around £100 on AliExpress. Suddenly respectable electronic derailleurs, constructed of aluminium and with sealed bearing pulley wheels, had reached a level of affordability that put them firmly in the mainstream.

So, people, gather round to say a comradely hello to the first 'People's Electronic Derailleur', produced just for you in the 'People's Republic of China'.

• Derailleur brands: LTWOO
• Country: China
• Date of introduction: 2024?
• Date of this example: 2024?
• Model no.: R8001
• Weight: 292g
• Maximum cog: 32 teeth (Source: LTWOO)
• Total capacity: unknown
• Pulley centre to centre: 93mm
• Index compatibility: 10-12 speed
• Chain width: 3/32”
• Logic: top normal as much as it is anything
• B pivot: unsprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: mainly aluminium

Ref. 2195