Doah!railleur

[SteveC]

Just Riding Along the other day, I picked up a stick and jammed it in my derailleur. I mean, a stick jumped up and jammed itself.....either way, I saw what was happening before any major damage was caused, but I think the (853 steel) hanger got a little tweaked inwards a mm or three.
Is this something I could tackle on my own? Is there a certain amount of zen meditation that I should practice first?
Things I do know......
I know I should take it right up to Ted(again) and have im align it again.....

I know I should also have the right tool....I think I know where I could borrow one......

I know that until I fix the problem, my mojo just ain't right......
AHWBA.....

[radair]

Steve - you don't need to send it to Ted. Any half-decent shop should have a derailleur alignment gauge to fix this. They cost about $50 and are one of the best tools I have.

Park's info is here: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=39

[bdee]

Just put a rag over your hanger, grab a long, heavy adjustable wrench and concentrate on not screwing it up ;). Seriously, that works fine on steel hangers but if you'd rather not sweat it I'd second visiting your LBS.

[heckler]

Your LBS will straighten it up for $10 but I also recommend getting park's DAG-1 (derailleur alignment gauge). Yes you can straighten a hanger with a wrench (or a hammer:) ) but it wont be "perfect". since I got my tool I have used it endless times on just about every bike I own. A little bit off will mess with the shifting.

[SteveC]

I was looking at the Parktool link--that's a cool tool and I may have to save up for one. Meanwhile, I'll trust my mechanic......
That's a good idea with the wrench. What would Ted think, though.....he wouldnt like it I know,... once I tried to suggest to him that I use an old derailleur...he was not happy with that.......
The last thing I wanna do is mess up the hanger, then I'd have to go SS......:-((
I love my gears!! :-)) Every one of them!
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[bdee]

Yeah using a derailluer itself as leverage isn't a great idea. In an emergency I've used a long 5 mm inserted in the allen bolt on the derailluer to bend a hanger. Worked fine until we got back to the shop. The Park tool really is pretty cool and if you ride steel you might go for it. Look on Ebay, you never know what's out there cheap.

[hogboy]

it's called an R tool and it has one job and that is bending derailleur hangers back. all shops should have them.

[SteveC]

Yeah I had a friend let me borrow his for a few minutes--Park Tool's website gave me easy instructions, and now I'm a pro.......I NEED that tool. It's one of the only ones that I dont have, and only because its 55.- that I just aint got.....
Nice to have friends like that....
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