I was on my way off to work this evening when I pulled back my thumb shifter to get on the biggest cog and then I just stopped abruptly. When I inspected, what happened I found that my rear derailer was been the wrong way 90° and my bike chain was sent flying into the spokes behind the cassette. What could’ve caused this and is this fixable?
by nathOF
5 Comments
I’m guessing the low limit wasn’t set which limits the rear derailleur from falling off that top easiest gear and then the chain grabbed in between the spokes and cassette and bent everything up. As for fixing it probably a new rear derailleur, cable, and a straighten of the hanger (this one is built to the frame so heat it up and be very careful)
It happened when you were shifting into the biggest cog. So what caused it was that your L limit screw wasn’t correctly dialed in and the chain overshifted and got stuck in the spokes. OR the derailleur hanger got bent previously which would have caused the same issue.
This is the reason why bicycles have a “dork disc” to protect against such a scenario but people remove them for fashion or just because they’ve turned yellow and brittle with age and start falling off on their own.
I’d say the derailleur is trashed. If you are lucky the wheel is ok but you’ll want to replace the damaged spokes. A shop can attempt to bend the derailleur hanger back but it’s bent significantly so it might snap in the process of trying to straighten it.
As the other comment said absolutely fixable, with a derailleur hanger so severely bent I would suggest having a professional fix that part, the rest is very doable yourself. I would also say that your wheel is also likely now out of true
Edited for spelling mistake
The ultimate chain suck. That sucks, fortunately steel is real, that’s bendable, but will be a weak point probably. Might have to get it rewelded. Which I would do for a Riv.
Damn man, put a NSFW tag on this one. Gore isn’t allowed.