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Workshop Tips by Andy Verrall: Gear Hangers · 11/06/09

One of the cheapest yet most overlooked parts of any bike is the gear hanger. How many of you have a spare hanger in your kit bag when you go to a Sportive or Race?

On most frames the hanger is designed to be replaceable and is made from soft aluminum. The reason for this is; should your frame receive any damage in a crash or transit, you can simply remove the bent hanger and fit a new one in around 10 minutes. At sportives/races and training camps I have often seen riders who cannot get their gears working, or on the first climb end up with the rear derailleur in the spokes. 90% of the time this is due to a bent hanger.

If the damage is not too bad it can be straightened with a special tool, but care must be taken though. If you are lucky enough to have one nearby, a good specialist bike shop (such as Condor Cycles on the Gray’s Inn Road) should be used for this work.

I always suggest to a rider that they purchase a spare hanger with any new frame as this way the shop can identify the hanger. Should you be planning on flying to any sportives, races or camps this summer and do not have a spare hanger, remove it and trace around it then scan/fax this to your bike shop or frame supplier to get one on order.

If you crash or your bike falls over on the gear side, always take a close look at the hanger as even the slightest misalignment leads to poor gear changing.

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