Derailleur Hangers

A derailleur hanger is a small component that connects your rear derailleur to your bike frame. It is designed as a sacrificial part, meaning it is built to bend or break in a crash rather than allowing damage to transfer to your frame or derailleur. Replacing a bent or broken hanger is a straightforward and affordable fix that can save you from much more costly repairs.

Derailleur hangers are frame-specific, so the correct hanger for one bike may not fit another, even within the same brand or model range. To find the right hanger, you will need to know your frame brand, model name, and year of manufacture. Checking your bike's documentation or contacting our team are reliable ways to confirm compatibility before purchasing.

Riding with a bent hanger is not recommended, as it can cause poor shifting performance, chain drops, and in some cases damage to your derailleur or frame. In some situations a hanger can be carefully straightened using a specialist tool, but this is generally a temporary fix. Replacing the hanger with a new one is the safest and most reliable solution to restore proper drivetrain function.

Keeping a spare hanger is strongly recommended, particularly for touring, bikepacking, or riding in remote areas where access to a bike shop may be limited. Because hangers are frame-specific, finding the correct replacement on the road can be difficult or impossible. Carrying a spare means a crash or bent hanger does not have to end your ride.

Most derailleur hangers are made from aluminium alloy, which provides the right balance of strength and controlled failure to protect your frame and drivetrain. Some hangers are made from steel or other alloys, which may offer different durability characteristics depending on the application. The material matters less than ensuring the hanger is the correct fit for your specific frame.

After fitting a new hanger, it is worth checking that the hanger is properly aligned before making any other adjustments, as even a slightly bent or misaligned hanger will cause persistent shifting problems regardless of how well the derailleur is tuned. A derailleur alignment tool is the most reliable way to confirm this. Once alignment is confirmed, check that the derailleur is securely fastened to the hanger at the correct torque, then run through the full range of gears to assess shifting performance.