Frame damage - easy fix?

Cool4catz

Hiya,
took a tumble off my bike today (leaves on the line!), and landed straight on the rear derailleur splitting it in two and at the same time bending the mounting post on the frame. Replacing the rear mech is no problem, not so sure about the frame.
Question is: should I use basic brute force to straighten it up or should I really take it to someone who knows what they are doing?

Barrelmaker

Is it a steel frame? I bent the mech hanger on my 456 mountian bike and as its part of the frame and not replaceable i just bent it back gently. I've not had a problem since.

I have also just realised i have posted this in the road section. So, ignore it you want.

desweller

If by 'mounting post' you mean the aluminium hanger that connects the derailleur to the frame, then that's a sacrifical part. It's supposed to yield on impact and protect the frame, so it's deliberately made to be weak. If it's bent then you should replace it.

What bike is it?

nicklouse

what frame? and year.

or pictures.

Cool4catz

Hiya,
it's a 2010 Claud Butler Dalesman touring bike. My first trip out this half of the year, typical!
It's a steel frame with no aluminium at the end, all steel. I wondered about 'gently' bending it back and maybe heating it up first though that would loosen the paint.

keef66

Don't heat it up, just gentle persuasion with a large adjustable spanner. It might be a good idea to have it checked for alignment by a LBS afterwards though; notoriously difficult to get it spot on by eye.

Monty Dog

Best done with a drop-out alignment too which screws into the rear mech mount, otherwise bending it without could distort the thread. Your LBS should only charge a tenner and worth it rather than risk damaging the frame IMO.