Bending rear derailleur hanger RK011 or replacing?

[bayarearider]

I've never bent or replaced a derailleur hanger before.  But mine is bent and is due for one or the other.  My frame is using the RK011 hanger (98-03 FS frames), have you guys had luck bending these?  Or are they too hard and basically crack when you try?

Also how much do they usually run if i decide to just buy one?

thanks guys! [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif]

[numbnuts]

Do both ! I my experience it is not a problem to bend them back but I suppose it will weaken the metal a bit. I have had to bend mine a few times. So bend it but set yourself up with a spare anyway and it's not a bad idea to stick one in your camelbak, that saved my day once. They can't cost a lot, I got a non-genuine one from BETD in the UK cos it was more convenient at the time', it didn't cost much and was shipped in a regular envelope.

[bayarearider]

HEy numbnuts,

Which section is it located on the site?  I couldn't find any derailleur hangers on BETD.  Which frame did you buy it for?

[GaryF52]

It's not very difficult to straighten the hanger.  Remove the wheel and derailleur and use a 12" adjustable wrench to bend it straight.   You can even make fine adjustments with the derailleur still mounted.

[jimbo]

It's not very difficult to straighten the hanger.  Remove the wheel and derailleur and use a 12" adjustable wrench to bend it straight.   You can even make fine adjustments with the derailleur still mounted.

It is easy to bend back, but I could not get the shifting right again.  I could get the vertical alignment right, the horizontal alignment was probably the cause of lousey shifiting.  The shifting was good enough to keep me riding till I got the new hangers.

[Simon]

HEy numbnuts,

Which section is it located on the site?  I couldn't find any derailleur hangers on BETD.  Which frame did you buy it for?

Have a look at http://www.betd.co.uk/website/DROPOUTS.HTM
Simon [smiley=nod.gif]

[Old Proflexer]

sometimes a long metric bolt is best to use when rebending/straightening a hanger on the frame.  road bike mechs use a tool specifically that does just that to straighten frames.

other than that, i've more than once heated a slightly bent hanger and tapped it flat on the concrete of my garage floor with a either a hammer or a piece of wood over the hanger and tap flat.

potential damage to the hanger depends on the amount of the bend from the crash.  always good to have a spare or two.

beats tweaking the frame -

OP

[bayarearider]

Hey proflexer,

I like the heating idea.  Did you just use a small torch to it?  So is a good rule of thumb, Hanger Flat flush flat to the ground = straight hanger?

Also i have heard of riders sticking rods or screwdrivers into the hole where the deraillur mounts and bending from there.  Isn't there a danger destroying the threads on the hanger?

[Old Proflexer]

i have a preference to take the derailler hanger off and put it in a vice (w/wood blocks) heat and rebend to near straight.

then put the thing either on a piece of hard wood or right on the garage floor and tap it flat -

i've put long metric bolts in the hanger hole with it still attached to the frame and have just such long bolt for that specific purpose.  a screwdriver or such can mess up the threads on the soft aluminum hanger.


OP

[Carbon_Angus]

if you decide or find out you can't get it right, you can get one from an LBS for about $15 give or take

i'd try to fix it and buy two.

one i'd put on, the other would be a spare.

[smiley=beer.gif]

[Intense One]

I would only straighten out a bent derailleur hanger just to get me out ofthe woods.  It’s  est to replace it a new one and buy an extra one or two with you in your pack just in case you break one again.  They’re designed to bend/ break to save damaging your frame.  It’s either carry a spare or you’ll either be making a single speed quick fix to get you back or walking it out!  🤨

[serviceguy]

That part is easily available on e-bay. I bought a few that shipped directly form China, the first one even had the K2 logo on it.

[orange]

holy thread resurrection! 14 years. That's not bad...

[Intense One]

Bent derailleur hangers will always be with us so their duscussions will never end, unfortunately.  If they don't bend or break, then we 're riding a little too easy!