Shipped my bike recently, unpacked and assembled to find the rear derailleur is hitting the spokes.

    Is it possible to tell – is the derailleur bent and needs to be replaced or the just the hanger? I have insurance so hoping can sort any replacements through there.

    Thank you!

    by Maws3141

    17 Comments

    1. Mystic_Fister on

      Looks like the hanger is definitely bent. There are tools available to check the alignment, pop into a bike store to have it checked if it’s not too much hassle

    2. SunshineInDetroit on

      that derailleur hanger was bent pretty badly in shipping. when you packed it did you isolate the derailleur?
      I would use the insurance to buy a new hanger.

    3. Usually, you can just replace the derailleur-hanger and it should be fine. If the cage of the derailleur got bent (for example if it got caught in the spokes mid-driving), there’s a good chance you need to replace that as well.
      To make it short: change hanger first. Potentially saves you money.

    4. That hanger can probably be adjusted back into alignment even at that level of bend but you should buy a replacement and have it on hand as that hanger will be more likely to bend in the future and should not be adjusted again as the material will be too compromised at that point.

      You can usually fairly easily find the hanger you need if it isn’t clearly labeled (which they tend not to be) by using this [Hanger Finder](https://wheelsmfg.com/derailleur-hanger-tech-help?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpP63BhDYARIsAOQkATaYGqpsXdFSyg4kfh8NeKO393YVpWS0oxojlV8s539hrd0SWcbgp-QaAphCEALw_wcB) tool on Wheels Manufacturing’s website.

    5. Two options: 1. Replace hanger per everyone’s recommendation 2. Bend it back. You can use the front wheel itself as a tool! Take the quick release off. Remove derailleur. Thread the front wheel axle into the derailleur hanger, it’s the same size. Now bend it so the two wheels are parallel. Super easy to do. I do this once in a while when I tune my bike

    6. fellowspecies on

      Deffo a bent hanger – thankfully they’re cheap and replaceable (for the most part) and any additional derailleur bending can generally be sorted too

    7. Take it to your LBS for an alignment if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, this WILL go through your spokes and kill your wheel if not done properly (I don’t just mean in this state).

    8. replace the hanger ASAP, it’s consumable ment to bend invested if derailleur

      don’t ride before you do

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