Originally Posted by
az2008
Can those claw-mount derailers be aligned?
I made my own straightener for bolt-on derailers. The bolt-on thread is the same as many axles (10mm diameter with a 1mm pitch). I bought a Wheel's Mfg. Axle-20 (longest solid axle available). Also a hardened bolt at Ace Hardware, with some 10mm 1.0mm nuts and washers.
Using that and a t-square ($5 at Harbor Frieght) I was able to straighten my rear dropout and fix a shifting problem which existed out of the box on my Schwinn Avenue. I use expect to use the bolt primarily, especially for bending because it's harder. The axle for t-square alignment because it's longer and a flat surface.
It must be the wheel that went off-center after the axle slipped on the horizontal dropout, causing the shifting problems. I am pretty sure the 1st gear will start working once the rear wheel is perfectly centered in the dropout.
I really like that Ventura ASA MTB saddle. Yesterday I rode the bike it's on and thought how good it feels. When I ordered it, I didn't expect much for $6. I even thought about how I wasted $6 a couple days later, waiting for delivery.
Yup. I had no idea what to expect out of a saddle so cheap, but it seems decent. Only time can tell how it holds up to abuse. Can't wait to go mountain biking this weekend. The bike should be solid this time. It's actually a very nice bike.