Best Tool

[screenman]

I thought I would put this post here for the most exposure. Just borrowed the rear mech hanger alignment tool from my eldest lad, so with just a couple of minutes of playing with it the gear change which I thought was good is now amazing.

So far checked 5 bikes and on all of them the rear mech was slightly out of alignment, he may not be getting the tool back. As any parent with older kids will know, they are not great at returning your goods, so what goes around etc.

 

[oiljam]

Sounds good. Could you post a link or a picture so I know what one looks like

 

[screenman]

Park Tool DAG2 - Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge

 

[Cycleops]

Never knew such a tool existed, interesting.

 

[Biker Joe]

Expensive bit of kit (at least for me)
If I suspected a bent hanger I'd just buy a new one.

 

[byegad]

I thought this was going to be a thread about Jeremy Clarkson.

 

[Biker Joe]

But the point is that, brand new out of the shop, hangers are most often not quite perfect.

So, retailers are selling faulty hangers to an unsuspecting public?

 

[oiljam]

Never knew such a tool existed, interesting.

Me neither. Intriguing. I'd like to see one in action. Might check out you tube later.

 

[Biker Joe]

Not faulty and within tolerance, just not quite perfect enough for some perfectionists.

OK. I see what you mean.

 

[screenman]

The rear hanger will also go out of alignment over time. Now as someone who has used this tool and my son also uses it often I feel there may be a bit of guessing going on by some other posters.

 

[screenman]

So, retailers are selling faulty hangers to an unsuspecting public?

Maybe out of aligned frames also, the hanger on most bikes is finely tuneable.

 

[PeteXXX]

Not faulty and within tolerance, just not quite perfect enough for some perfectionists.

I don't mind perfectionists, I hate fussy ones though....

 

[screenman]

Benefits of rear hanger being aligned properly,
Easier shifting.
Smoother shifting.
Less wear on sprockets.
Less wear on chain.
Quieter transmission.

Downsides,
Somewhere between £22 and £60 depending on what tool you buy and where from.

Come on guys let us have some comments from those who have used this tool, I want to see if my enthusiasm is matched.

 

[User6179]

Could you not just use a straight edge and measuring tape and save yourself £50!?

 

[screenman]

Possible, not sure I will have a look later, but for £50 I feel it is a very worthwhile investment. So far the only people not getting it are those who have not used one.

This is a request to any local guys out there, bring your bike around and let us check it and set it up correctly, then write up on here if you felt it improved things. That is how confident I am with this tool, bearing in mind I use tools almost every day of my life it is seldom I get exited by them.