A Rear Hanger Problem

Question:
My Orbea Asphalt2006 Frame, Custom built had a problem with the rear hanger bent, thus causing the rear mech hitting the spokes, after dismantling the Rear hanger, and taking the rear mech off, now the chain jump across the cogs. I currently have Campag Khasmin Wheels with a 9 speed Campag Cog and a 9spd Chorus (2002 model) n please advise of howI can try and adj the indexing, in order to get back the way it was Also please note I have contacted a Orbea Dealer in this country in order to get new replacement rear hanger, just in case.

Hi Andy,

It's very unlikely that there are any problems with the rear mech or the cassette and chain; for sure it will be the hanger. If you adjust the indexing this will not help as the problem is that the hanger is more twisted or bent at an angle that it makes the rear mech be at the wrong angle to the sprockets, so giving you a bad or untrustworthy gear change. If the gear mech is touching the spokes then it is very badly damaged and no amount of adjustment will help, it needs to be replaced before you will get a good and efficient gear change.

With steel frames you can straighten the hanger with a special tool, which your local bike shop should have, this can also been done to an alloy hanger, but when you bend alloy it's weakened, so it's not a good idea to do this.

As you have already realized, the best remedy is to get a replacement hanger, it's strong and it will be straight, once you have fitted it, your gears they will work perfectly. With indexed gears one of the most important things is that everything is in line, the jockey wheels need to be in line with the cogs of the cassette or, as you have found out, they won't work very well. So you have done the best thing by ordering a new replacement hanger, it will sort out your gear problems.