I tell you, I gotta plead ignorance on this thing because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first bought the bike that that sort of thing was frowned upon..
So my bike was leaning against the wall in my apartment and fell over. The hanger was bent so much so that when I was in the 2nd lowest gear, the chain was in the largest gear in the cassette. I grabbed the rear derailleur and bent it back, went for a 30k ride and it shifted as good as it ever has, maybe even better. I tested it through the whole range of gears.
So, could this have done any long term damage, or should I be fine?
I also have had an alleged bent hanger that caused major issues for me when my bike was new, so I don't want a repeat. (Linked below) This is a 3rd party replacement hanger.
http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...up-carbon.html