Is a non-replaceable derailleur hanger a bad thing?
 

The Scott CR1 doesn't have a replaceable rear der hanger. Is this to save weight? What are the consequences? :(

On an expensive carbon frame, personally I'd want a replacable hanger. I couldn't see where it would save *that* much weight - and as far as the consequences - well... there's a reason frames started using replacable ones to begin with.

So what happens if you bend your hanger?

i don't think you bend a carbon hanger. i guess with a CR1 you have your sponsor give you another one!

actually i think they do have a frame replacement program but it's still a big chunk of change.

Yeah, carbon doesn't bend. I've never been (un)lucky enough to take out a derailleur to the point of bending a hanger. I suppose if you did so with a CR1, you'd be out more than just a derailleur/hanger and a long walk home.

But even carbon fiber frames usually have metal dropouts, right? Usually aluminum.

My ti road frame doesn't use a replaceable one. My wife has broken one on her ATB and I've broken two on mine. They were all from sticks that got caught in the chain.

The hangers are sometimes hard to come by, so I keep spares. I carry one in my hydration pack tool kit as i had to walk out pretty far once. If I didn't have them on the ATB's, I might be out rear derailleurs. They cost more but are easier to get. On one occasion, I still had to replace the rear derailleur as the jockey pully cage got bent.

Al

yep, closer inspection reveals an alu hanger on the cr1. still not replaceable. a ***** in an otherwise tough armor. my buddy is dying for one of those but man i think aethically they leave a little to be desired.

Litespeed road frames don't use replacable hangers but seem strong enough that if you hit something hard enough to damage the hanger, you will damage a lot more anyway.

A couple of years ago, I rode over a piece of steel coat hanger wire that got caught in the chain and sucked through a nearly new Ultegra rear derailleur. It absolutely distroyed the derailleur, bending the cage and the parallelogram into a twisted mess. The derailleur hanger was completely undamaged.

It is rare too see a steel bike with a replaceable derailleur hanger. I have read that replaceable hangers are there to protect the derailleur in case of a crash not the frame. The logic been that it is cheaper to replace the hanger that the rear derailleur. Nowadays at home we have all steel bike that came without them and this does not make me loose any sleep.

Actually the replaceable hanger is intended to protect the frame, not the rear derailleur.

There are intentionally weakened derailleur mounting bolts that are supposed to break before the derailleur is damaged but I don't know if they work and haven't seen them offered for some time.

Aluminum frames commonly use replaceable hangers because a bent aluminum hanger may crack and eventually break if it is bent and subsequently straightened. Thus the hanger ultimately protects the expensive frame. It is unlikely to provide much protection to the derailleur since the hanger typically bends due to an impact to the derailleur. Steel frames do not use replaceable dropouts because it is a simple and safe procedure to bend the hanger back into alignment. I suspect titanium's properties are more like steel than aluminum in this regard. Perhaps a titanium expert can address this.

I talked to the Scott rep at the shop today, so we had a close look at the CR1. He said that,like Trek, Scott specify a non-replaceable hanger on top end road bikes for solidity and crisp gear changing. If you trash it they welcome you to call them and the warranty dept will help you with a crash replacement frame or re-bonding of a new dropout into the frame. If you are the original owner of the bike, don't worry just ride. Contact Scott if you have any further questions.They will be pleased to answer them. We have never had anyone bend either a CR1 ot Trek OCLV hanger yet!

If you carry a chain tool, you can just shorten the chain and single speed home. I had to do that on my MTB once. It saved me from walking about 8 miles.

PS. Like all good roadies, cultivate the admirable habit of falling off to the left - less expensive. We had a club run crash recently (over 20 riders) all came off on the left when someone in front touched a wheel and went down. Magic (you should see my left elbow!!!!).

The solidity/crisp shifting argument sounds like total bollocks. And you mean to say if a stick goes up into my rear mech and cracks the hanger or a stay, the Scott people will replace the frame for a nominal price?
I think a replacable hangar is a good idea on an Al or carbon bike.

I have no experience with them, but Bike Tools Etc has break-away derailleur pivot bolts.
http://biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id...ounting%20Bolt

All of the older frames didn't have replacable derailleur hangers.



On an older steel frame road frame I have, the rear derailleur found it's way into the spokes due to my carelessness, bending the derailleur hanger, but the derailleur was perfectly fine. I did re-align the derailleur hanger/dropout with a 5 pound sledge hammer.

It's a road bike, isn't it. I wouldn't be very worried about it. Now, if you were taking it hucking or even XC, then I wouldn't get it. Then again, who in their right minds would take a CF frame freeriding or dirtjumping :eek: Probably someone like me :o

According to Airborne, they don't use a replaceable hanger on their ti frames because it's so strong, they don't need too. They claim if you ever damage one, they'll replace the frame.

Al

Well exactly. But with aluminum or carbon you can't (or shouldn't) be bending the hanger back. Hence the popularity of replacable hangers, as found on many of these bikes.

My habanero does not have a replacable deralleur hanger. However, if I ever manage to bend the 7mm-thick titanum hanger, I'm sure it could be cold-set without too much hassle :-)

I believe that Titanium is very stiff, stiffer than Aluminum and super strong. I can't imagine one bending. The Russians, who I think are still the major source of titanium, used the material in their submarine hulls. That gave them an operating depth far greater than ours with our high-tech steel hulls. Their subs was one of the reasons the USSR went bankrupt.

Al

Hi Wrench,
You mentioned your conversation with Scott rep. I recently bent my hanger on cr1 pro 2009 hence need to know if what the scott rep told you would still be true now. Appreciate your help!