freecycle

This is something that has been bugging me a while, and Im at a loss at the moment, so perhaps you all can help me figure out what do do...

A while ago, I was finished a long stretch of singletracks and was hammering up a hill on the way home, on ashphalt mind you, and my dropout snapped in half and sent my derailleur into my back wheel. Luckily It didnt cause more damage than the dropout and a bendup of the chain guide.

Now I bought a new dropout and installed it, straightened out the chainguide and checked over the derailleur, it seemed alright, its a shimano altus i think... I went for a ride and she was shifting okay, but at random on the way home, this time on a flat, not pushing too hard, i lose the dropout again.

I asked around and have been informed my adjustment was off, which i accept, and I decided it is time to get a new derailleur if I want to rebuild her. At least I think I should, so heres my question in a nutshell...

A) with the derailleur in okay condition, (its running nice and straight, although the chain guide had to be flattened completely to straighten it) should I keep it and buy a new dropout, reset the thing and hope for the best?

B) should I replace the derailleur(s) completely?

C) should I scrap the lot, put a singlespeed freewheel on it and call it a day?

I dont really race too much, but Im not ruling it out, I like to hit dirt jumps when my nerves are up to it, and I dont have a car so I have to commute to the trails (which are nearby so its no biggie). I need something for singletrack, some of it pretty technical, that can stand up to an aggressive riding style.

Its a 2004 Ironhorse Maverick, completely stock except for little skull valve covers whom I love.

Any and all input is accepted, just remember I dont have hundreds to spend. Thanks guys.

Oh and its not the disk, its the v-brake edition. I dont like discs, personally.

Cyclist30907654

Derailleurs are dirt cheap. Just replace it.

Oh, and get a professional to install it.

mtnbiker66

Do you mean the derailleur hanger?

freecycle

yes, ive heard it referred to as derailleur hanger and replaceable dropout as well, but i constantly fudge terms.

mtnbiker66

Have a shop put a new hanger on it,check you derailleurre and do an adjustment.

kill.cactus

I'd like to hear feedback about FG mountain biking

ProFail

FG MTBing- #1 Crank Killer

freecycle

update:

FG mountainbiking? its been done, apparently... o_0

leaning towards fixing her and waiting for the 'railer to crap in again, then converting it to a singlespeed to hack around on. im just tired of sending away for hangers! last time I was stupid and didnt order the 3-pack =(.

Dannihilator

Can't make a bike with vertical dropouts into a fixed gear.

freecycle

wouldnt want to really, i dont think id be comfortable fixed on a trail, giving it more thought i think ill try to repair her as solid as possible and then see what ill do.

and fair call, it would be hard to turn it into an SS as well, but a ghost chainring would likely solve any tensioning issues.

Oleanshoebox

disks are better

freecycle

prolly, considering the mud/water kinda kills vees sometimes... thats not the question!!