Ask a Mechanic 1 Year Anniversary: Fixing Bent Derailleur Hangers

Art's pro mechanic Daniel Slusser returns for our 52nd episode of Ask a Mechanic! In this episode Daniel reviews how to straighten a bent derailleur hanger. Beginning instruction by demonstrating pro-level tools that are made for precision alignment and then moving on to more rudimentary methods for mechanics on a tight budget, there is something for everyone.

[artscyclery]

It's hard to believe our Ask a Mechanic series is already a year old!

[NerfHerdsman]

0:29 for content why do youtubers always do this

[sharpuslf]

I noticed mine was bent out of alignment and skipping gears when I peddle backwards in the top gear.

So, like a noob, I grabbed it and bent it back into shape. I should buy a lotto ticket, cause it works a little better now, haha.

I'm gonna take it into a shop and get it fixed properly, but for the moment...all is.... ok(ish).

[hureeragaming]

Lucky i found this things...my hanger bend when i try switch gear lol...even that bike was still new 😩

[artscyclery]

HI guys, Daniel here. I never left Art's, I've just been working behind the scenes. Greg will be back in front of the camera next week. More great videos are on the way!

[methylmercurypoisoning]

lol thanks, it really helped me out !!!! :)

[jfasasno]

Everything I needed to know in 2 minutes. 100/100 for this video for overall accuracy, guidance and awesomeness.

I learned everything I needed to know about my bent derailler and wish I watched this 20 mins ago
- bent deraillers can happen for a variety of reasons (thanks @peter for the great question)
- this bike expert keeps a second *Rear Derailler Hanger on hand with every new bike
- there are tools to adjust a derailler perfectly (*Hanger Alignment Tool), but carefully using a crescent wrench and visual alignment is a great way to make sure your bike is in working condition
- don't pull your Derailler Hanger by hand, it bends now I know :)


Thank you for the great video, I feel 99% confident I can fix my bike at home and go for a well deserved Sunday ride!

[jastan]

If only I found this years ago.. Imma do it now. LOL

[c.willis]

this problem haunts me about every 5 or 6 months. i almost went single speed. I'll try the wrench hack but I'll order a new hanger... good vid

[ChickenPea]

Damn it help me save up some cash now my rear derailleur is find all I need to do now is to tune my gear thx man

[TumshieHeed]

Great to see Daniel back.  Good work D.

[theoutsmarter]

My derailleur hanger is perfectly aligned (did it at two bike shops) with the help of the "hanger alignment tool". However, my derailleur leg (the bottom part of the derailleur) is very, very crooked. How do I fix this? I have a Shimano Saint Derailleur.

[sillywilly]

Good info here but I would give a tip to check your frame alignment at the rear dropouts before you go cranking on the hanger if it looks crooked.  I bought a new Niner frameset from Jenson and the hanger was way off in the vertical plane.  I removed the hanger and sure enough, the dropout where the hanger mounts was crooked, NOT the hanger itself.  I managed to straighten it with a large crescent wrench applied horizontally across the DO and then used a pair of huge channel lock pliers to torque on the CR,

[benbyra]

i straightened the hanger by using force on the derailleur which you guys said not to do. it shifts fine tho in every cog and looks aligned. is there anything wrong with it. its the shimano xtr 11 speed gs derailleur

[janabsahib]

How do I know if its the derailleur that's bent or the frame hanging location that's bent (like in the video)?

[paulthomas]

Thought d had moved on, glad to see you haven't

[jrzwee]

My mountain bike didn't shift gears, after looking carefully i realized the derailleur was bent so i bent it outwards and it still didn't shit gears. I removed the back wheel and it turned out the derailleur wasn't bent, it was the frame that was bent. I bent the frame outwards and put everything back together then i remembered i had already bent the derailleur so now it was facing outwards quite a lot. I don't know how to go about bending it back and i don't want to buy a new one, How would i do this?

[TheSatelliteCowboy]

My rear derailleur (Shimano Tourney 7 speed long cage) keeps bending, even when I mount a new one. It is a direct mount to the frame. Could the frame be damaged unseen from the naked eye?

[sonigarewal]

In my country park tool hanger alignment tool is not available so can I use adjustable cresent wrench can it straighten my frame built in hanger and frame is made of steel

[terryfs]

Thanks for the vid. How can I tell if it's the hanger or the derailleur itself that's causing the misalignment? I don't have an alignment tool.