Brand new derailleur hanger snapped on a test ride yesterday

I got a fresh hanger from the shop, torqued it to spec, and within 2 miles on a smooth paved path it just sheared off. My RD slammed into the spokes and bent the cage before I could even stop. Now I'm out $60 for a new RD and have to wait another week for a replacement hanger. Anyone have a better method for checking alignment before the first ride?

2 comments

2 Comments

knight.oscar1d ago

...and that's the thing, man. I had the exact same thing happen on my gravel bike a few years back. I was so pissed. Turned out the new hanger was just a dud from the factory, like the metal was soft or had a crack in it you couldn't see. I learned my lesson though. Now before I even bolt anything on, I use a cheap derailleur hanger alignment tool to check it on the frame. I'll spend the $30 on that tool. I'll set the hanger on there, sight it with the wheel, and if it's off by a hair i'll tweak it before ever putting the derailleur on. Saves a ton of headache and spare parts.

avery_fox931d agoMost Upvoted

Honestly, I'm gonna push back a bit here. @knight.oscar, I get that alignment tools are cheap insurance, but this sounds more like a straight-up part defect than a setup issue - torquing to spec on a smooth path shouldn't snap a hanger no matter what. A dud part is a dud part, and blaming the rider for not eyeballing it with a tool feels like letting manufacturers off the hook.