Excellent video which I searched as I couldn't unclip my shoes easily and fell over whilst out on my new £5,500 gravel bike, yep obviously whilst being watched 😎 but at least I now know how to straighten my hanger so many many thanks.
Thanks Clint. I did my bikes. The fatbike was totally off center in horizontal level and causing rattling noise when riding. The other mtb was off center in both directions about 4 to 5 mm. Hands down the best video for the topic. It's only needed small adjustments because the tool has great length so please be carefull when using force :-) The tool saves a lot of money and hassle in long run...
I don't check the alignment using the tool horizontally and vertically. Instead, I line up the tool inline with the hanger and perpendicular to the hanger. This usually is about 30 degrees from horizontal and vertical. I find it easier to bend the hanger at these angles. I always double check the alignment at all four angles after bending the hanger since it can slightly take out some of the alignment from your previous bend. When done, I double check the four angles and then check the horizontal and vertical, which are usually well within the same measurements as the ones at an angle. Not sure if this is correct but it works for me. Also, please be sure that you also align your spare hanger before you put it in your backpack. A new hanger will not always be properly aligned.
Clint: This is a terrific video. So far I have not needed an aligning tool in a long time, but I do check the chain line by putting the bike on a stand, shifting through 1 cog at a time by turning the pedal forward and then turning the pedal backward. If the derailleur is slightly out of line, the chain will either shift cogs or bind when back turning backward. I figure if the chain leaves the chainring in a straight line, it should go back in a straight line. Please let me know what you think. Thanks again.
Remember that the chain will only be in a perfectly straight line in one gear. Other gears it will be offset a bit from the front chain ring. The classic sign of a derailleur hanger being bent is you can get the derailleur adjusted really well on one side of the cassette but when you go to lower or higher gears then it starts skipping.
Another really useful video thanks Clint. How do you know which model (part number) hanger is on a bike when it's not listed in the Giant specs. Ie 2017 Giant Trance Advanced 1.
great vid. i just bought the DAG 2.2 for $150 CND Every hanger i test is out by inches, I set them by eye but the DAG tells me to bend the hell out of them all/ either all bikes are effed, i am an idiot or the tool s flawed any tips for a fool in the rain here? i got a lot to learn
Nice video. I’ve got a question. I have a giant anthem 1 2017, with giant xcr 1 27.5 boost carbon wheels. They have 21mm inner width. And it comes with 2.25 inch wide tires. And my question is which is the maximum tire width that I can use without any issues
Nice video. Park Tools Calvin Jones says one video, that tool must use always pulling out, not pushing in, but that requires 180 degree tool rotation when pushing in required. I do not know are that so or what idea is that. I never straighten my derailleur hanger, I just replace it, but I'm road biker, so that happens rarely then mtb-driver. But I seriously thinking buying that tool, so that I can check are hanger bent or not.
The (likely) reason Park says that is to prevent people from forgetting to move the indicator and smashing it into the rim. The bolt/shaft threaded into the hanger never moves, so the force acting on the hanger never changes regardless if you push or pull the tool.
Even a new hanger can be slightly out of alignment, for example with 12spd stuff things need to be really precise. In the past I tried to "straighten" derailleur hangers using just an axle and eyeballing it. To me it looked perfectly straight, but I could only make the shifts perfect after I straightened the hanger with an actual tool.
@@michaelfasher I've never use one so I can't give first-hand knowledge. But I would think you could leave it on. I just don't know how tight the interface is between it and the derailleur hanger.
Excellent video which I searched as I couldn't unclip my shoes easily and fell over whilst out on my new £5,500 gravel bike, yep obviously whilst being watched 😎 but at least I now know how to straighten my hanger so many many thanks.
I've always wondered how those derailleur-checking tools worked - now I know! Excellent video!
This was a really well done video, appreciate the thoughtful little tips and tricks. About to order this tool
One of the most important tools a MTBr can own..... Good tutorial.
One of the most underrated tools out there! I even check my brand new bikes/hangers, because I have seen a few that were unaligned brand new.
Ive put a derailleur cage on now. Adds some weight but even with a shadow derailleur a guard is worth it imo.
Thanks Clint. I did my bikes. The fatbike was totally off center in horizontal level and causing rattling noise when riding. The other mtb was off center in both directions about 4 to 5 mm. Hands down the best video for the topic. It's only needed small adjustments because the tool has great length so please be carefull when using force :-) The tool saves a lot of money and hassle in long run...
Me and my dad both bent our hangers so we bought a tool (another brand) and the shifting is good again 👍🏻
I don't check the alignment using the tool horizontally and vertically. Instead, I line up the tool inline with the hanger and perpendicular to the hanger. This usually is about 30 degrees from horizontal and vertical. I find it easier to bend the hanger at these angles. I always double check the alignment at all four angles after bending the hanger since it can slightly take out some of the alignment from your previous bend. When done, I double check the four angles and then check the horizontal and vertical, which are usually well within the same measurements as the ones at an angle.
Not sure if this is correct but it works for me.
Also, please be sure that you also align your spare hanger before you put it in your backpack. A new hanger will not always be properly aligned.
A mechanic/friend of mine had a campy version of this tool. He called it the Campy Kickstand.
Clint: This is a terrific video. So far I have not needed an aligning tool in a long time, but I do check the chain line by putting the bike on a stand, shifting through 1 cog at a time by turning the pedal forward and then turning the pedal backward. If the derailleur is slightly out of line, the chain will either shift cogs or bind when back turning backward. I figure if the chain leaves the chainring in a straight line, it should go back in a straight line. Please let me know what you think. Thanks again.
Remember that the chain will only be in a perfectly straight line in one gear. Other gears it will be offset a bit from the front chain ring. The classic sign of a derailleur hanger being bent is you can get the derailleur adjusted really well on one side of the cassette but when you go to lower or higher gears then it starts skipping.
very well explained, thank you
very helpful thanks
Another really useful video thanks Clint. How do you know which model (part number) hanger is on a bike when it's not listed in the Giant specs. Ie 2017 Giant Trance Advanced 1.
I use this tool all the time when I have a problem with my rear derailleur must have tool I guess.
I think on MTB direct derailer hangers you cant use this , but anyway nice video well explained !!
I like how the acronym is literally just DAG... nothing fancy, just straight down to business
You da man!
great vid. i just bought the DAG 2.2 for $150 CND
Every hanger i test is out by inches, I set them by eye but the DAG tells me to bend the hell out of them all/ either all bikes are effed, i am an idiot or the tool s flawed
any tips for a fool in the rain here? i got a lot to learn
Good info, man. 👍
Very interesting. Thanks
Nice video. I’ve got a question. I have a giant anthem 1 2017, with giant xcr 1 27.5 boost carbon wheels. They have 21mm inner width. And it comes with 2.25 inch wide tires. And my question is which is the maximum tire width that I can use without any issues
Nice video. Park Tools Calvin Jones says one video, that tool must use always pulling out, not pushing in, but that requires 180 degree tool rotation when pushing in required. I do not know are that so or what idea is that. I never straighten my derailleur hanger, I just replace it, but I'm road biker, so that happens rarely then mtb-driver. But I seriously thinking buying that tool, so that I can check are hanger bent or not.
The (likely) reason Park says that is to prevent people from forgetting to move the indicator and smashing it into the rim. The bolt/shaft threaded into the hanger never moves, so the force acting on the hanger never changes regardless if you push or pull the tool.
Even a new hanger can be slightly out of alignment, for example with 12spd stuff things need to be really precise. In the past I tried to "straighten" derailleur hangers using just an axle and eyeballing it. To me it looked perfectly straight, but I could only make the shifts perfect after I straightened the hanger with an actual tool.
Add a bit of threadlock to the hanger bolt when reattaching the derailleur?
Although I have had crank bolts come loose I have never had a derailleur come loose so I do not think it is necessary.
I'm about to get the 2019 Giant talon 2 with 27.5 wheels. Have you had any experience with the talon and if so what are your thoughts on it?
thanks!
I have a Wolftooth Roadlink, should I remove it to do this or just do it on the road link?
You can leave the chain on to do this
Clint Gibbs You mean the roadlink.
@@michaelfasher I've never use one so I can't give first-hand knowledge. But I would think you could leave it on. I just don't know how tight the interface is between it and the derailleur hanger.
Sometimes new hangers need adjusting too.
Indeed
That tool is a lot cheaper to make your own. Oz cycle have got a good diy video :)
1st!
First
Park Tool's got nothing on this guy.