Bicycle Mechanics - Pleaaaase tell me I don't have to buy a new derailleur. :(

Yesterday my rear derailleur flew off while I was about to ride back home. I wasn't able to get a good look at it until now. It seems broken. I don't think it can be fixed with scotch tape and gum. :\ I may have to replace it. What do you guys think?

From what one can see on the pic it seems that the deraileur hanger needs to be exchanged. If it's interchangeable in most modern bikes. Contact your bike manufacturer for the correct replacement as they come in different shapes. That's all, no derailleur needed. You can screw it loose with the big hexagonal on the top of the hanger. This part is pretty cheap compared to a derailleur. Hope this helps.

Amox

Did you have a crash? I've seen a couple of badly bent hangers but none that was actually broken... :s

From what one can see on the pic it seems that the deraileur hanger needs to be exchanged. If it's interchangeable in most modern bikes. Contact your bike manufacturer for the correct replacement as they come in different shapes. That's all, no derailleur needed. You can screw it loose with the big hexagonal on the top of the hanger. This part is pretty cheap compared to a derailleur. Hope this helps.

Amox
Aww there are different types of derailleur hangers for every manufacturer? Er that means I won't find it at my local bike shop and I'll have to order it and wait until it comes in through the mail. :/ haha. It's good to know I don't have to replace the whole thing; I thought it was part of the derailleur itself. Thanks so much. :] you're the awesome-est.

It looks like you probably need a new RD, if you can take a shot of the RD where it broke I can say for sure..

Did you have a crash? I've seen a couple of badly bent hangers but none that was actually broken... :s

Nooo I didn't crash haha. I'm not that good of a cyclist yet. :P. as I get on my bike, the first thing I do to start pedaling is let my whole weight down on the pedal, (I guess maybe everyone does this :P) but this time I noticed as I got on my bike that the pedal was stuck. It was too late to get off when I heard something snap from the back. It was the derailleur. :/ I think it may just be to improper use of something :/. Maybe shifting at an inappropriate time. I'm not sure.

It looks like you probably need a new RD, if you can take a shot of the RD where it broke I can say for sure..

Darn, I hate when I come across new bike part terminology. XD I'm such a noob hahah. What's a rd? Sorry. :X

Ill take a shot of it as soon as I get home. And as soon as I find out what an RD is XD. I'm at school now :/.

RD = Rear Derailleur.

It looks like the hanger to me. Of you search on Google by the make and model of your bike and the wordsd "derailleur hanger", you'll be able to get a picture of one. There's a good chance that a bike shop where you are will have one in stock.

I can see through the haze of the photo that the derailleur-hanger - and not the RD itself - is broken in half across the bolt-hole. This is what you need to replace. Once you have done this, you'll be able to see whether the RD itself sustained any damage - but it looks like it's alright from here.

Your derailleur hanger is clearly snapped at the bolt. Chances are your rear derailleur is fine, but take a picture of it and post it up anyways so we can see it. Bring your bike into your LBS, and if they're a good shop, they'll get you a new bolt for the derailleur and should be able to find you a hanger that will fit. At worse they'll have to order both those parts. It should run you $10 or so for parts.

Maybe this'll help:
http://www.derailleurhanger.com/

That's a great pic of the derailleur cable and chain. I can even see the freewheel fairly well. The problem is, the things your interested in are really not visible. Takeit to a bike shop, get a better photo, or both.

Maybe take a moment or two with your cameras instruction manual :)

A clear photo always helps.

Maybe take a moment or two with your cameras instruction manual :)

A clear photo always helps.

Sorry it's an old blackberry what I used with about 1.8 megapixels or less. Old 'cause the two year contract is almost over and I'm gonna get a nicer phone. :P It's been through some abuse; has got wet a few times.