Best way to straighten a bent derailleur hanger.

dazzawazza

My wife's Ridgeback Velocity's derailleur hanger has bent inwards so that it hits the wheel when on the largest sprocket. (I have made adjustments to prevent changing to this, so the bike is still useable).
The derailleur is removable. What is the best way to bend it back into shape? I don't have access to a vice, only basic tools.

If this isn't possible, where would I buy a derailleur hanger for a Ridgeback Velocity?
This is her cheaper every day run-around bike so I would prefer to spend the least possible.

Thanks

meagain

Other than a vice, I'd place the hanger on a flat piece of steel and apply a big 'ammer. But then that is my solution to many an engineering problem! Or find a friend with a vice (no, not that sort).

cee

two pairs of pliers?

redddraggon

Is the derailler hanger replaceable? If it was me, I'd persue this.

Be wary if it's aluminium. Trying to bend any aluminium component back into its original shape, has a good chance of cracking it.

rampax

This happened to me the other day.
The bike shop said:
Take the rear derallieur off, then tighten a large adjustable spanner (or strong Molegrips) onto the hanger, and bend it back using "brut force".

It worked for me.

aracer

rampax wrote:

Take the rear derallieur off, then tighten a large adjustable spanner (or strong Molegrips) onto the hanger, and bend it back using "brut force".

That's the method I've used before now, but if it is alu (as is almost certainly the case) then it will be weakened and should really be replaced.

SteveR_100Milers

Simple: replace it!

doobie919

On my MTB i used to freeride/ street alot, and bent many a deraileur hanger. If it's bent more than a CM or so don't bother trying to bend it back, even if it doesn't crack when you bend it it'll still be weaker than it was before. I've had deraileur hangers snap while i'm going down the road, nearly losing the deraileur.

I'd say just replace it. Here in the states there usually under 20 dollars and i've found parts are cheaper in England.

Anonymous

Replace it and buy two when you do. Always keep an extra, as well as a hex wrench in your road/bike pack. I store both under my saddle with a tube, levers and a pocket pump.

Once it is bent, it is weak. Straightening it will cause premature fatigue. Depend on it to fail soon after.

Cajun

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=39

dennisn

You said two different things. First you want the "best" way to fix this and then you say
you want to spend little, if any, money. "Best" way is to take it to a shop, if you don't
have the proper tools, or it's not replaceable. "No money" way is to bash it with a hammer.
Up to you to decide.

Dennis Noward

dazzawazza

Thanks for the advice.

Where can I buy a replacement from?
Would I have to go to a Ridgeback parts supplier or are the hanger designs generic?

clanton

You may find it on Betd - they have a wide selection. My MArin hanger cost £21 incl P&P so not what I would call cheap!

http://www.betd.co.uk/

sloboy

Quite a neat way that I've used for temporary bodges on my MTB is to take off the derailleur and remove the skewer from the wheel aso that the threaded axle is exposed. Screw that into the hanger and then manipulate the wheel to straighten the hanger.

It's worked pretty well, the wheel gives you loads of leverage with no violence required, and a big reference to see the angle the hanger interface is at. I'm not at all sure that the hangers are aluminium, because they do seem pretty pliable.

Not sure I'd do it with my best race wheels though !

onbike 1939

Be careful as some companies e.g. Trek, have many different hangers, all slightly different in spec. It's risky bending an alu one and if the hanger is part of the frame then it should only be attempted to be re-aligned with the proper tool.

sloboy

dazzawazza wrote:

Thanks for the advice.

Where can I buy a replacement from?
Would I have to go to a Ridgeback parts supplier or are the hanger designs generic?

Yep - try a shop that stocks Ridgeback. They should at least be able to order one in. For my Giant MTB, they cost about a tenner. Never had to replace one on my roadie.

custom-freak

get a replacement, i bent the one on my sunn roadbike and was then told by everyone that it was unobtainable, until i just went into edinburgh cycles and they had one (seems that sunn make some of thier frames) £3.99 later and all was well, they fit very easily if you are paranoid get two just in case

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 151c003217

either of these it? seems they are 9.95

Cf

nicklouse

Here is a good bit of info for you.

the thread of a mech hanger is 10x1mm the thread on most cone and cup REAR wheel hubs is 10x1mm.

remove mech. and screw in a spare wheel. this can then be used to straight the hanger and also to align it by comparing it to the wheel in the frame. BUT be aware that big bends should be reduced by using pliers or a vice first as you do not want to be pulling the threads out.

It is a great get you home trick.