Derailleur Hanger

[dopey048]

Since I bent my derailleur hanger at the Spring Cup, can I attempt to straighten it out or will I waste my time and be better off getting a new one?

[bike>>rider]

I've had shops bend them back before. I think it costs about $10-15. Requires a special alignment tool so probably not something to do yourself.

Tough luck on the crash - saw your post on the other thread. That is really a bummer. Sounds at least like you didn't get hurt.

[stoneage]

Since I bent my derailleur hanger at the Spring Cup, can I attempt to straighten it out or will I waste my time and be better off getting a new one?
Steel or Aluminum? Steel - simple as long as it isn't folded over. Aluminum - can be done if not too bent. You get one chance with Aluminum. The alignment tool is the way to go. Why do you still have a derailleur hanger, anyway?;)

[dopey048]

Its aluminum. The bend is not bad. I know that it would probably affect a new derailleur that I put on there. Eriks in Burnsville said it might be $20 for a new one.

[stoneage]

Its aluminum. The bend is not bad. I know that it would probably affect a new derailleur that I put on there. Eriks in Burnsville said it might be $20 for a new one.
Like both posts have said; there is a tool for realigning and bending the derailleur back into place. Any good shop has one and will be able to fix it if it isn't too bad a bend. Good luck.

[nigel]

Id suggest just getting a new one, you'll never bend it back to 100%, and thats why they are replaceable after all :)

[bigwheel]

Gabe, I have one of those "special" tools for straightening deraulleur hangers. It's pretty much a brute force approach, and not as good as a new hanger. If you'd like, bring your bike to trail work on Tuesday, and I'll throw the tool in my van. Send me an email if you'd like to try.

A new hangar will cost about $15 - $20. Here's one place online that you can get one, but you won't save much money. http://www.derailleurhanger.com/

[jjrsds]

For twenty bucks just get a new one. Bending it back is never 100 percent only close enough to work. There is usually only two small allen bolts or screws that hold it in so removal and replacement is easy for just about everyone. Most times after replacement a simple rear der. adjustment is needed to make it running like new again.

[dopey048]

If Bob can do it then great if not then no biggie. I still gotta find a new derailleur. Thanks to all for the input.

[nigel]

Gabe, I have one of those "special" tools for straightening deraulleur hangers. It's pretty much a brute force approach, and not as good as a new hanger. If you'd like, bring your bike to trail work on Tuesday, and I'll throw the tool in my van. Send me an email if you'd like to try.

A new hangar will cost about $15 - $20. Here's one place online that you can get one, but you won't save much money. http://www.derailleurhanger.com/

I bet Bobs "tool" is him in a tight shirt showing off the guns with a pair of leather gloves as a buffer to keep his hands from tearing it off your bike as he manhandles it back to true :crazy:

[dopey048]

Went to Eriks to find if they had a hanger and derailleur in stock, nope. So I ordered them. They tried to straighten the old hanger and sure enough there is a small crack in the aluminum. Its probably only good for a emergency part. Thanks for the input, and if you read this Bob no need for the tool on Tuesday.

[bigwheel]

The tool works when everything looks okay, but you are having shifting problems that you can't explain. However, it won't do miracles. Aluminum is only good for one decent bend before it breaks. Derailleur hangers are somewhat of a sacrificial part, there to prevent you from bending your frame and doing expensive damage.

Hopefully, you won't have much down time.