Derailleur Hanger Straightening

[chuckb77]

Hey,

just wondering if anyone has any DIY techniques for straightening a derailleur hanger. Obviously I know the parktool works, but don't know if anyone's made a tool at home.

[faf1967]

Hangers are cheap buy another one but make sure you keep the old one as a spare in your bag when riding.

To answer your question. A friend of mine built one out of wood. However you have to make sure everything is straight and the wood will not expand, warp, or shrink. IMHO... buy the tool.

[energetik]

The tool is the way to go. If you're desperate you could use a large adjustable wrench and eye ball it. Not where near as accurate as the tool but it might do in a pinch. More likely to over stress the metal with too many bends though. Good luck.

[matbar20]

Honestly, the park tool rocks!, But if you have to do it at home or on out on the trail, the best way is your hands. Leave the derailleur on and grab it with both hands around the main body (not the cage!), and gently manipulate in a way that positions both derailleur pulleys directly under the cog. Its easiest to do with the chain in the highest (smallest) cog. If you are out on the trail, don't manipulate the hanger too much! It is usually better to have a bent hanger and a few skipping gears, than to break it off and be forced to coast all the way home.