Tektro E Drive 9 (T530) derailleur

The Tektro E Drive 9 derailleur system is one of the earlier entries in the race to be the derailleur of choice for e-bikes.

Some of its features might include:

Being a 9-speed system, because this allows a wider chain and sprockets (for reduced wear under high loads) and e-bikes don't need all those ratios anyway.
Being 1X ("one by") because it's simpler, and e-bikes don't need all those ratios anyway (have I said this before?).
Being a touch on the heavy side - as, on an e-bike, strength is more import than weight.
And probably something else...

Regular readers may notice that, amazingly, all these features are shared with most mid-range derailleurs from most of the world's manufacturers. But I expect that we will see the letter 'E' and some variation of a lightning flash logo on many derailleurs over the coming years. At least Tektro can claim an early lead in the branding stakes.

Aside from the cynicism, the Tektro E Drive 9 is well made, sensibly and strongly constructed, and looks like it will give years of perfectly satisfactory service.

This example is the T350 'trekking' version, which has no clutch.

Derailleur brands: Tektro
Country: Taiwan
Date of introduction: 2022
Date of this example: 2022 ('22' stamped on b-knuckle)
Model no.: T530 139610-40T22
Weight: 356g
Maximum cog: 46 teeth
Total capacity: unknown
Pulley centre to centre: 85mm
Index compatibility: 8/9 speed
Chain width: 3/32”
Logic: top normal
B pivot: unsprung
P pivot: sprung
Materials: aluminium b-knuckle and outer parallelogram plate, composite p-knuckle, steel inner parallelogram plate and pulley cage plates