Quick Q re: deraileur hanger adjustment

[Dynamite_funk]

When I successfully have realigned hangers in the past I have only done it with non-QR axles. However, this time I do not have that option. Am I safe doing this if I really tighten up the QR skewer or am I better off trying to find/borrow a solid axle wheel which is true? The reason I ask is that I have 'opened up' the drop out slot before when trying to do this with a QR axle which then required heating with a blow torch and bending back into position (a real pain) so obviosuly have reservations.

Cheers

Ian

[CREPELLO]

If you have a spare rear wheel you can screw the axle end (firmly) into the hanger. Then it's simple job of visually aligning the two rear wheels, with a slight twist or tweak of the 2nd wheel in the hanger.

[Brucey]

I guess it all depends on how strong the hanger is vs the dropout. If you want to be sure of it. I'd advise using a bolt-up wheel (or just some thick studding) in the frame and some big, thick, washers to protect the dropout. You can use M10 studding (or M12 if you file it a little where needed). £5 tops for a length of studding and some nuts and washers BTW.

If you are using the two-wheel trick, I think a QR wheel would be OK in the hanger. The other wheel is best reversed to give clearance.

If a removable hanger is very bent it may just snap when you try to straighten it. It may be worth trying to get it nearly straight by bending it when it is hot. Heating it over a gas cooker is plenty; judging the temperature is tricky, but if you drop the hot hanger onto a hard flat (solid metal) surface and tap it with a hammer to straighten it, you will soon find out if it is hot enough; you can always try again with more heat if necessary. Worst case is a new hanger of course.

cheers

[Valbrona]

Would someone be kind enough to decode this so a dummy like me can understand? If a gear hanger alignment tool is screwed into a gear hanger, why would it matter if the wheel fitted to the bike is bolt-on solid axle or quick release type?

[Brucey]

I guess it all depends on how strong the hanger is vs the dropout. ....

QR fixings bend easier and allow the dropout to bend when you wanted to bend the hanger instead.

cheers

[fatboy]

Would someone be kind enough to decode this so a dummy like me can understand? If a gear hanger alignment tool is screwed into a gear hanger, why would it matter if the wheel fitted to the bike is bolt-on solid axle or quick release type?

He is doing add I do and using a wheel AS the alignment tool.

I've used a QR one with no problem

[Valbrona]

Would someone be kind enough to decode this so a dummy like me can understand? If a gear hanger alignment tool is screwed into a gear hanger, why would it matter if the wheel fitted to the bike is bolt-on solid axle or quick release type?

He is doing add [as] I do and using a wheel AS the alignment tool.

Oh, I get it. So he isn't aligning the rear hanger derailleur at all, he is trying to align the dropout/dropouts by putting a wheel in and bending the wheel because he hasn't heard of droput alignment gauges, or wants to bodge a job on the cheap.

[Dynamite_funk]

Hmmm maybe I didnt explain myself properly. Paticularly as I have heard of a alignment gauge and never 'bodge the job on the cheap'. I am asking whether a QR skewered wheel is OK to use with a derailleur alignment gauge. I have accidently opened up the drop out slot past horizontal when using a QR axled wheel before and do not want this to happen again.

[tim-b]

Hi

I have only ever aligned removeable-type rear mech hangers. I used a derailleur hanger alignment tool and a QR rear wheel in the dropout.

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... -alignment

I haven't aligned a hanger that is integral with the dropout, so couldn't comment on this arrangement.

HTH Regards
tim-b

[Brucey]

Oh, I get it. So he isn't aligning the rear hanger derailleur at all, he is trying to align the dropout/dropouts by putting a wheel in and bending the wheel because he hasn't heard of droput alignment gauges, or wants to bodge a job on the cheap.

1) If you realign a gear hanger it is imperative that you have something in the frame when you do the job, because the dropout can bend or break when you do it otherwise. IMHO in many cases a QR wheel does not provide enough support during this procedure. Quite a few dropouts are as strong or stronger in the gear hanger than they are where the back of the slot is. Thick studding/spacers are probably best as mentioned previously, but a nutted wheel is good too.

2) Whatever you put into the hanger, it is important that you bend the hanger as few times as possible, preferably getting it right first time.

IMHO a wheel is as good a tool as any to do this with, especially if there is a wheel in the frame when you are resetting. Unlike many 'proper tools' it can be bolted through the hanger (with a nut on the back) so that the threaded part of the hanger is unlikely to strip or further deform. In addition you can more quickly see if the alignment is good in all planes, wheras a tool needs to be moved to do this.

There are plenty of jobs where you must have the correct tools, or are at least much better off with them. This isn't one of them. Anyone who tries to tell you that you can't do this job as well (or better) using other methods is talking nonsense IME.

cheers

[meic]

I did this to my bike seven or eight years ago. I just put the hanger in a vice and twisted the frame to straighten it. I did give it a few warms with a blow torch to make me feel that I had done something to make it less brittle.
I had nothing to lose by trying as the bike was unusable.

Terrible I know, but it worked, was quick and easy to do and cost nothing.

[The Mechanic]

I did this to my Aravis when I dropped it on the rear mech. I have an alignment tool that screws into the hanger and also has a pin that you line up with the wheel rim. The tool rotates around the hanger so you can align it in all planes. The only barrier is the seat and chain stays which prevent full 360 degree rotation of the tool. This can easily be overcome by twisting the block that hold the pin as this does not alter the position of the pin, just swings it out of the way to allow the tool to pass the stays.

I just used the normal QR wheel in the dropout (vertical) and it worked fine.

This is mine

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/cycling-tools/derailleur-hanger-alignment-guages/product/review-cyclus-gear-hanger-alignment-tool-10223/

[531colin]

I use a bit of angle iron with the bolt out of a scrap mech. and a big thick washer

[The Mechanic]

I use a bit of angle iron with the bolt out of a scrap mech. and a big thick washer

Yes, the tool I have looks very nice and does the job but I am sure a similar tool can be made quite easily by someone with a bit of mechanical nouse.