Straighten/Align Bent Derailleur Hanger Without Special Tool

I show how to fix a bent derailleur hanger without expensive tools like Park Tool's DAG-2 Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge. This repair is meant for steel frames with integrated hangers. If you have a replaceable hanger, I recommend you just replace it. Do not attempt to straighten the hanger using the derailleur. You will likely bend the derailleur and then have a bent hanger and derailleur. You do this at your own risk.

How To Make A Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge Tool:

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[reeveharper]

I can't explain just how useful this video was, and suprisingly easy too! I couldn't believe how bent my derailleur hanger was but now it's as straight as ever, thanks!

[petecusack]

nice vid. great to see you pioneering metric in the us

[frorton_]

First thing : amazing trick much more cheaper than the tool itslef
Second thing : RJ is never out of Pepsi or Mtn Dew

[robertandrews]

I usually think most of these "how to" videos are simply guys wanting to hear themselves talk and pretend they're on TV or something. But in this case, some very good, sound advice!

[anotterspov]

Genius! After lots of futzing around, I finally figured out the issue on my derailleur was the hanger and this video is absolutely awesome. A big thank you RJ!

[gedrot]

You just saved me so much money I don't even have.
You're my hero today! ; )

[demondroid]

Awesome tip for professional roadside repair! Another tip: for a rough eyeball adjustment, instead of wrench use a L-shaped allen key in the derailleur fastener. No need to remove wheel or derailleur and you can use the cage for reference.

[swifty]

RJ scores again. Great results from this and it saves buying an expensive tool that I would have only needed 3 times in the last 40yrs👍

[wtfiswiththosehandles]

Could just use 2 long pieces of threaded 10mm rod. One piece place instead of the wheel and fasten with nuts, and the other thread in the hanger. And voila, you can see if it's aligned or not (rods should be parallel), and also can use the second rod as a lever.

[Skippy-idyt]

I like how the other rim provides a more "exaggerated" view so you can really see just how much its bent,

[larrygross]

Almost a 5-year-old video, but the first time I'd seen it. RJ never ceases to amaze me with great repair guidance. I'm making this exact repair on a Cannondale aluminum alloy frame. Seems to have worked just fine, despite not being steel.

[yodsta]

Genius. Worked perfectly for me, used the rear wheel on my older mountain bike. My bike was brand new but i suspect derailleur was bent in box shipment

[chammiechan]

Wouldn't it be great if the front wheel worked for this trick, because then you fix your bent hanger on the side of the road or trail.

[dankpatrol]

man i've been watching your videos obsessively for months in the process of building a bike straight up from a frame for the first time.. you've been so extremely helpful, this trick just blew my mind. thanks RJ!!

[Falestal]

I just went back to this video. I watched it quite some time ago. I'm on a MTB vacation and shifting wasn't great at all. After checking everything twice and a third time... without fixing the issue and owning a lot of tools but no derailleur hanger adjustment tool I thought I had lucked out... Remembering this video and my son (the only one) having the old qr. I took his rear wheel and fixed the derailleur hanger! Shifting... Flawless😁👍. Thank you so much. I think my wife is even happier than me when I was driving her crazy with my "bike fixin' stuff". Thanks again man😀

[jordyd]

My main man! Where is the to thumbs up button. After hours of reindexing, cleaning derailleur and replacing shifter cable. This was th sollution to my skipping gear problem.
The smoothness of how the other wheel fits and makes the proces easy is just amazing.

[BlunderCig]

Thanks a lot for this video, I actually just fixed my "decent" bike with 1x11 setup using the wheel in hanger bodge 😅

[robertleslie]

Great tip, fixed my old steel bike which doesn't even have a mech hanger, the derallieur just attaches to the frame, been slightly bent for years, now shifts through an 11 speed cassette with no problem, Thanks again RJ

[daniellindqvist]

This is really clever, and uploading this video to Youtube is a great service. Thanks!

[ScoutJoe]

I needed this tutorial fix because last week I crashed on my bike and the derailleur hanger is a little bent towards the cogs. This is a good diy alternative if you don't have special tools