How to Align a Derailleur Hanger Using the DAG-2.2

A misaligned derailleur hanger is an often-overlooked cause of poor shifting performance. We'll show you how to diagnose and repair your hanger using the Park Tool DAG-2.2 Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge.

Questions or comments? Leave them below!

Video contents:
00:00 Preliminary info
03:11 Hanger Alignment

➤ Tools & materials used:

➤ Fix It:
Did you know that Park Tool is the #1 resource for bicycle repair education?

➤ About Park Tool:
Since our founding in 1963, Park Tool has been the leading name in bicycle tools. Our YouTube channel is an extension of our mission to be the ultimate resource for mechanics and riders of all skill levels. Here you will find comprehensive repair help tutorials for a wide range of components and processes, as well as troubleshooting guides, tips and tricks, and information on the latest Park Tool products.

➤ More Derailleur Repair Help:

[maxinecantspeak]

Gotta say, was not expecting the rock lol.

[piggybladder]

One clue to a mis-aligned hanger is if there's a nutter standing next to your bike with a large rock in his hand :-)

[mohamedmonem]

I almost had a heart arrest when he hit deraileur with a rock

[Rootdown]

Did anybody else cuss him out when he wailed the bike with the rock?

[robot_spider]

My son is 13 years old, so obviously I needed this video. I bought the tool and fixed it myself this time. Thanks for the excellent video and clear instruction!

[esmearman]

Also remember to make sure replaceable hanger mount bolt(s) are tight. Loose bolts can also affect shifting

[hunterwright]

dear park tool

I can't afford this tool.

sincerely, me

[IncompleteTheory]

Warning! This video contains heavy violence and degrading demeanor towards innocent bikes. Parental guidance mandatory.

[aardvarkflotilla]

YOU ARE THE The hanger was bent and I was able to straighten it using an accurate straightedge held against the "flat" of the hanger. Thank you, Calvin and thank you, Park Tool.

[CordlezToaster]

Can you use the rock in the other direction to fix a derailleur?

[Phylthya]

Great video, well explained, straight to the point and easy to follow!
Did this today after dealing with rattling noises which neither cleaning, shifting adjustments nor a new chain could fix - and indeed, the derailleur was bent! A tiny adjustment has fixed all the rattling and shifting hick-ups, and I cannot tell you just how much of a RELIEVE it was!
So worth it! And now my partner is eager to check his bikes as well as he's had a collision with a branch in the spokes a while back.
Thank you Park Tool for your educational videos and thanks Calvin for explaining it so well. Your videos have already saved me a bunch of times!
They always leave me with a pretty good idea of what needs to be done - competent, capable and confident!

[stevenshumate]

Excellent instructional video, as usual. Got my hanger straight and shifting is spot on.

[michellecarew]

Just dont do this on a trek roscoe ive done 1000 alignments but for some reason a trek roscoe hanger snapped soon as i touched it very brittle

[HYPRKNECT]

Hice todo como lo dijeron pero por alguna razón la brecha de 3mm no me funciona tan bien, teniendo en cuenta de que tengo el grupo 105 completo. Baje la brecha a 2mm en los 4 puntos y ahora tiene la respuesta de un Dura-ace.
Creo que deberían aclarar que los 3mm, son para menos de 10 velocidades, y los de 2mm para mas de 10 velocidades.

[paganskier]

The last two bikes I have purchased (brand spanking new) came with hanger alignment issues. And with these big ass cassettes we are using these days, alignment is critical. I have the older model DAG-1, and it fits nicely in my travel toolbox.

[elephantcup]

Derailleur hangers ain't made how they used to be. I've straightened plenty of hangers when they were made from softer aluminum, but these days they seem to be made from CNC'd much harder aluminum billet. The last few I tried, I broke, even being really gentle. Brittle, not flexible. Single use (likely by design).

[ShinobiDiabolik]

Derailleur hangers are intentionally designed as sacrificial pieces of equipment. they are like electric circuit breaker. hangers are designed to be strong enough to do it's job, and also to bend and brake, in case of crash or bash. The main idea here is that the force from the impact, regardless of the source of the impact, will follow the path on least resistance. The hanger is designed to vividly manifest itself as the path of least resistance, so it draws the force of the impact onto itself. the idea behind this design is to protect the frame and the derailleur from being bent or broken. If you think, this sacrificial piece saves you a frame, a derailleur and the hassle of replacing frame or equipment.... and the pile of money related to all this hassle.

[tobywan]

I wasnt expecting him to actually beat the shit out of the bike.

[retroonhisbikes]

My old frame doesn’t have a replaceable hanger. Changing gear on the second and third from largest cog doesnt index correctly. Hopefully my alignment tool will arrive today, and ill not break the hanger off. Thanks for this video, hopefully things will work out for me. Update- derailleur hanger was bent, now straight thanks to park tools

[Gardnerpublic]

Calvin, thanks man! I’ve had shifting issues with one of my roads bikes that I picked up used. Sure enough, the hanger was bent. Your video helped me and my DAG-2.2 get things squared away 🚲👍🏻