Think I have just bent my derailleur
Discussion
My chain is clicking vigourously when it exits the bottom cog of my swingarm (if that's what it is called) and on closer inspection the cog appears to be at a slight angle to the bike whereas before it was parallel. The clicking is the chain not engaging with the first tooth of the cog it comes to and then bouncing down onto the second cog.
Can I fix this with hammers and bi spanners or am I looking at a new rear mech?
Its a GT AValanche 0.5 with Deore LX bits
Can I fix this with hammers and bi spanners or am I looking at a new rear mech?
Its a GT AValanche 0.5 with Deore LX bits
Has the bike been dropped ? more often than not it is the frame hanger that bends not the derailleur itself.
If it is a steel frame then you can bend it back straight again, use an allen key in the derailleur bolt for leverage.
If it is aluminium take it to a decent bike shop as aluminium is more likeley to break when bent.
If you look at the back end of your bike and the derailleur is not running roughly parallel to your frame/ wheel then it may well be bent.
On most bikes the rear derailleur bolts onto a replaceable drop-out and then this in turn mounts to the frame. The drop out is designed to bend instead of your derailleur when problems occur from knocks.
If the rear drop out is replaceable, this should be easily replaceable from most bike shops.
To check this. Unbolt the derailleur. Then unbolt the gear hanger from the frame and see if it is straight or bent.
If this is the problem but your frame doesn't have a replaceable drop out then get bending it back.
David
On most bikes the rear derailleur bolts onto a replaceable drop-out and then this in turn mounts to the frame. The drop out is designed to bend instead of your derailleur when problems occur from knocks.
If the rear drop out is replaceable, this should be easily replaceable from most bike shops.
To check this. Unbolt the derailleur. Then unbolt the gear hanger from the frame and see if it is straight or bent.
If this is the problem but your frame doesn't have a replaceable drop out then get bending it back.
David
If you have a good enough eye, an adjustable spanner is sometimes a last chance option.
You should be able to at least tweak the deraillier enough to get it back so it doesn't rub.
However, this puts considerable stress on the dropout - in your situation a replacable one in aluminum, so will snap without 'that' much give.
If you need to get it quickly straight then try it - look at it from behind and try to straighten it up and down or left or right, being methodical and slight of hand when you do it.
However, like I said, this is a last chance option, and you are best trotting off to your local bike shop and asking them to take a look. They have a special tool to check the frame to see first whether that is bent at the dropout, and obviously depending on the result can offer you your options.
At the end of the day, a Deore rear mech will only cost you £15 at most, and £10 say to fit, so not all that bad...
You should be able to at least tweak the deraillier enough to get it back so it doesn't rub.
However, this puts considerable stress on the dropout - in your situation a replacable one in aluminum, so will snap without 'that' much give.
If you need to get it quickly straight then try it - look at it from behind and try to straighten it up and down or left or right, being methodical and slight of hand when you do it.
However, like I said, this is a last chance option, and you are best trotting off to your local bike shop and asking them to take a look. They have a special tool to check the frame to see first whether that is bent at the dropout, and obviously depending on the result can offer you your options.
At the end of the day, a Deore rear mech will only cost you £15 at most, and £10 say to fit, so not all that bad...
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