If you are astute enough to have one of these, or are considering one, I highly recommend also using it when you have a brand new hanger. I cannot tell you the number of times I've bought a replacement and it was slightly off
I got a new Yeti about 4 months ago and have had troubles with the shifting. I ordered a hanger alignment tool and the hanger was bent. I was considering upgrading my rear derailleur, I am so glad I checked this. I never would have thought a brand new expensive MTB would have a bent hanger.
Great job and information for those that don't know, or can't figure out why they are having shifting problems. Personally, I just replace my derailleur hangers, I also always keep a spare in my pack when riding. They don't weigh much and are easy to change, especially the UDH.
Bought one of these years ago after multiple bent mechs. It’s one of them tools that sits in the box most of the time but is a massively useful bit of kit. Worth checking even brand new bikes out of the box (saw so many bent ones whilst working in a bike shop) or even a replacement hanger to ensure shifting is right. Seems expensive vs a new hanger but is honestly worth it.
I've bought replacement hangers, and i still have to post process it for my bike, which involves grinding and sanding off some material to fit it, and do the DAG to make sure it shifts well when I replace it on the field.
I've realigned several derailleur hangers. These tools work best on steel frames where the hanger is integral. Aluminium hangers are best removed and annealed. Before annealing it's best to screw in an old (scrap) derailleur to protect the threads. Remove paint on one side and use a bar of soap to mark that side. Apply gas flame to the other side until the soap goes black. Hey presto you have just annealed your hanger. The aluminium will now be soft and easy to work 😊. Now tap out the worst of the bend and reattach to the frame to fine tune with the tool. You can save pretty a pretty badly damaged hanger in this way (without this process badly bent aluminum work hardens instantly and may damage the frame!) if it's only a minor correction you can skip the step.
Nicely described, thanks for the video, now to find a tool that doesn't cost the price of 2 new wheels derailleur cassette and chain..... Park tools ⚙ are like snap on tools, way over priced,
Just bought the cheaper version of the DAG. Spent way too much time troubleshooting poor shifting due to bent hangers and this will make it wayyyy easier to isolate and fix. Time savings plus at $30 per hanger it will pay for itself in no time. I think this is an essential tool for mountain bikers.
I’d love to bring my old bike to Anna’s shed so she could straighten my old banger with an alignment tool, sounds like fun really 😍 You do good work Anna, and it’s appreciated too x
Sometimes poor shifting happens because of destroyed bearings in freehub body. You will eventually find out what is the problem, but at first, the symptoms could be similar with bent derailleur hanger
wouldn't it be a good idea to setup the hanger alinement tool leave it in the same spot and give the wheel a quick spin to see that distance stays relatively the same to check the rim?
Slightly off topic, but I have a new trek xcaliber 7 and the front wheel keeps slipping in the fork dropout under braking. How to I stop this?! I’ve made the QR as tight as I can but it still slips!!
I wonder that if a person made a cast of just one side of a new hanger, with plaster or whatever, if that could be used to see if a hanger was bent when setting a bent hanger into the dried cast. You may be able to straighten a hanger in a vise, then keep setting it in the cast until it sits in nicely. Wonder if anyone has tried that.🤷
If the derailleur hanger is made of aircraft aluminum and you attempt to bend it, that beach will break quicker than a cat can lick it's azz, then you can shop around thru the endless types of hangers to find your replacement that may or may not be the one you need. Tip: if it looks bent, it's not AA, but could still bust on you. Be warned - "If you intend to bend, be prepared to spend".
I think one can make a DIY version of this tool, and it would work just as good, without spending much money in the process. This cycling oriented tools are overpriced.
How many bike mechanics are chirping up? Ha I'm going do the same, nearly all gear hangers bend at about the 7-8 o'clock position, so that should be your staring point for pulling it out
These tools are underrated. I bought one 10 years ago and it is one of the most useful bike tools I own. Excellent to keep shifting crisp.
I’ve got an older version of this tool and the improvement in shifting gears is incredible once the hanger is perfectly aligned.
If you are astute enough to have one of these, or are considering one, I highly recommend also using it when you have a brand new hanger. I cannot tell you the number of times I've bought a replacement and it was slightly off
I got a new Yeti about 4 months ago and have had troubles with the shifting. I ordered a hanger alignment tool and the hanger was bent. I was considering upgrading my rear derailleur, I am so glad I checked this. I never would have thought a brand new expensive MTB would have a bent hanger.
A good tip is to make sure your hanger is securely fastened to the frame and the screws/bolts arent loose.
Great job and information for those that don't know, or can't figure out why they are having shifting problems.
Personally, I just replace my derailleur hangers, I also always keep a spare in my pack when riding. They don't weigh much and are easy to change, especially the UDH.
Bought one of these years ago after multiple bent mechs. It’s one of them tools that sits in the box most of the time but is a massively useful bit of kit. Worth checking even brand new bikes out of the box (saw so many bent ones whilst working in a bike shop) or even a replacement hanger to ensure shifting is right. Seems expensive vs a new hanger but is honestly worth it.
Lucky Ducky, you got it right first go round. Usually a lot more in & out. Nice Anna
I've bought replacement hangers, and i still have to post process it for my bike, which involves grinding and sanding off some material to fit it, and do the DAG to make sure it shifts well when I replace it on the field.
Thankyou very much. Informative and simple shown!
Well done, very good video. I purchased a Park Tool straightener like 15- 20 years ago. Very good tool to have explicitly on a road trip.
How many tons of tools are you carrying around on bike trips? :D
I've realigned several derailleur hangers. These tools work best on steel frames where the hanger is integral. Aluminium hangers are best removed and annealed. Before annealing it's best to screw in an old (scrap) derailleur to protect the threads. Remove paint on one side and use a bar of soap to mark that side. Apply gas flame to the other side until the soap goes black. Hey presto you have just annealed your hanger. The aluminium will now be soft and easy to work 😊. Now tap out the worst of the bend and reattach to the frame to fine tune with the tool. You can save pretty a pretty badly damaged hanger in this way (without this process badly bent aluminum work hardens instantly and may damage the frame!) if it's only a minor correction you can skip the step.
Thank you Anna for the great tutorial! ❤ I gotta get me one of these tools.
Great job Anna , as always ! :- )
Nicely described, thanks for the video, now to find a tool that doesn't cost the price of 2 new wheels derailleur cassette and chain..... Park tools ⚙ are like snap on tools, way over priced,
It becomes easier to use the tool, straightening the wheel spinning. Thanks a lot.
Nice great info didnt even think about this
Just bought the cheaper version of the DAG. Spent way too much time troubleshooting poor shifting due to bent hangers and this will make it wayyyy easier to isolate and fix. Time savings plus at $30 per hanger it will pay for itself in no time. I think this is an essential tool for mountain bikers.
I’d love to bring my old bike to Anna’s shed so she could straighten my old banger with an alignment tool, sounds like fun really 😍
You do good work Anna, and it’s appreciated too x
I am my clubs mechanic. I feel like the DAG is one of my most used tools!
Effectively simple.
New Derailleur Hanger under 10 dollar. Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge 77 dollar
Maybe on eBay I rang my local bike shop and they quoted $100 only a week ago, I went on eBay got 1 for $12.50
Even brand new derailleur hangers are not perfectly aligned for your derailleur.
My friend made me one of those for like 2 quids
The Aliexpress equivalent is just $20.
And if you own 5 bikes, the tool is a money saver...
You won't regret getting a hangar straightener.
@GMBN Tech might want to adjust the Ball Plunger (Park Tool Name) so the Inside Shaft doesn't slide through the head.
The new DAG 3 is a real improvement over the older version 2
Sometimes poor shifting happens because of destroyed bearings in freehub body. You will eventually find out what is the problem, but at first, the symptoms could be similar with bent derailleur hanger
Do UDH bend? They are so short that the leverage is the as extreme. My bikes and my sons bikes have the UDH and we have not bent one yet.
wouldn't it be a good idea to setup the hanger alinement tool leave it in the same spot and give the wheel a quick spin to see that distance stays relatively the same to check the rim?
You can use any part of the frame to do that.
Slightly off topic, but I have a new trek xcaliber 7 and the front wheel keeps slipping in the fork dropout under braking. How to I stop this?! I’ve made the QR as tight as I can but it still slips!!
The softest hangers ive ever had to straighten are GT bikes, theyre made out of hopes and dreams.
I wonder that if a person made a cast of just one side of a new hanger, with plaster or whatever, if that could be used to see if a hanger was bent when setting a bent hanger into the dried cast. You may be able to straighten a hanger in a vise, then keep setting it in the cast until it sits in nicely. Wonder if anyone has tried that.🤷
Bang
#askGMBN is it possible to bend (and to center) UDH?
Considering it is made out of plastic...
Thanks in advance
Well she's just done it, so yes.
If the derailleur hanger is made of aircraft aluminum and you attempt to bend it, that beach will break quicker than a cat can lick it's azz, then you can shop around thru the endless types of hangers to find your replacement that may or may not be the one you need. Tip: if it looks bent, it's not AA, but could still bust on you. Be warned - "If you intend to bend, be prepared to spend".
Lifetime supply of UDHs can be bought for the price of that tool. HAHA
I think one can make a DIY version of this tool, and it would work just as good, without spending much money in the process. This cycling oriented tools are overpriced.
How many bike mechanics are chirping up?
Ha I'm going do the same, nearly all gear hangers bend at about the 7-8 o'clock position, so that should be your staring point for pulling it out
This tool is stupidly big. Why not align against the biggest cog of the cassette?
The size is needed for leverage when bending the hanger
OK who knew this tool was a thing? Next week there will be a parktool frame checker to check wheel alignment.
Anyone that's worked on a bike. Derailleur Hanger tools have been a thing for literally decades.