Bending mech hangers back

[andrewl]

My "on the trail" method for fixing this is to leave the mech on, stick a long allen key in the mech bolt and just bend it back until it's hanging straight. A trip to the shop later to get it aligned properly is worthwhile though.

A better on the trail fix and shop fix for a steel hanger is a front wheel laced to a shimano hub.

The axle thread on the hub is the same as the derailleur hanger, so you just unblot the derailleur, take out the skewer and wind the hub on.

Next tweek the wheel until the front wheel (in the hanger) is parallel with the rear (which should still be in the frame) and you are done.

All up takes about 3 minutes and works better than prety much all the shop tools as it so easy to see when the alignment is right.

 

[Augustus]

for those of you that offered kind advice and support in my hour of need, I thought I'd let you know of the outcome of the lbs visit.

They used they're magic and skill and park tool to bend it back and straight.

A new chain and Ultegra rear mech later she appears to be shifting normally and battle scarred but operational.

I'm sure it's weakened the hanger and I just hope not to the extent that the mech itself could bend it but moving back and forth, but I'll just have to cross that one if and when.

 

[cherrybomb]

Good news.

I'm sure the hanger will be fine, if there was an issue over steel frames being weakened by bending and re-bending mech. hangers, they'd have fitted replaceable ones years ago. I mean, they did with alloy.

.....and the tip using a front wheel........fantastic.

 

[Pickle]

Phew!!

But hey, no cross or mountain bike is christened until is been stacked or scratched! You've just gone a little OTT though

 

[clockworkgazz]

Just bent my hanger with a bit of brute force no bother, was interested to read that marins were more susceptable to this kind of thing (it was my marin miurwoods). What makes them so special?

Will try that wheel fix if I have probs in future - top tip

 

[steveslow]

To add to previous comments - it's best to get your LBS to bend it with the proper tool. I bodged my steel road bike using a wrench, but the gears were never smooth until I had it done properly.

 

[Pickle]

Gus, have you got any pics to show us how the patient is doing now then?

Come to think of it, are you over your trauma!!

 

[Augustus]

Not quite over the trauma. Nor will I be I suppose until i get a chance to actually ride this bloody thing in anger and show my OCD and worryness that it's ok and will live.

And now I've got the tooth ache (for tooth ache read evil abcyss on a root nerve!!!) from hell and i can't ride cos I'm so whacked out on painkillers to be able to think straight!

This has been a crappy December so far.

May take some pics tomorrow morning though (for the reader's bike section) if i get time before the trip to the dentist...

 

[shovelon]

Not quite over the trauma. Nor will I be I suppose until i get a chance to actually ride this bloody thing in anger and show my OCD and worryness that it's ok and will live.

And now I've got the tooth ache (for tooth ache read evil abcyss on a root nerve!!!) from hell and i can't ride cos I'm so whacked out on painkillers to be able to think straight!

This has been a crappy December so far.

May take some pics tomorrow morning though (for the reader's bike section) if i get time before the trip to the dentist...

Of your evil abcess? Sweeet!

Hope it goes well. Reminds me of Tom Hanks in Castaway.