Why Every Cyclist Should Understand the Function of a Derailleur Hanger

If this is your first time hearing/reading about this term, don’t worry, because you’re definitely not the only one. Although derailleur hangers may not be the most popular in the cycling world, they are surely very important.
That’s something that every cyclist (along with many other items) should have within their reach. Now, if you’re ready to get more familiar with them, then it’s great news because this informative guide is about to provide you with some ultra-useful facts!

So What Is It And How Does It Function?

These hangers are also known as hanger dropouts and they represent important bicycle components that are embedded to the frame’s near ends so they can be joined to the derailleur. Their main goal is to keep the derailleur in place and to prevent any breaking in case an accident occurs.
By virtue of this small, yet extremely beneficial thing, you’ll be able to avoid dealing with serious (and, at times, irreparable) damage to the bicycle’s derailleur. Avid cyclers at Elanusparts are here to inform you that they are typically made from cold-forged aluminum, do not provide any type of resistance, and can often be bent even if a light impact occurs. Is it enough to only have one in your possession?
The answer is no. Even though it’s not the end of the world if you have only one, it’s definitely much wiser to have a spare derailleur hanger. Luckily, this tiny thing can easily be found. You can either purchase the original version or simply buy the one that’s compatible with your vehicle.
A vast majority of cycling brands (or at least the eminent ones) rely on the same factories when it’s time to make them, which means that most of them are practically identical. 

How Many Are There?

Those who are familiar with these hangers will tell you that for a very long period of time they were practically frame-specific, with several exceptions like gravel bikes and mountain bikes that mostly used SRAM UDH, which is still relatively high in demand.
Today, on the market you can run into all kinds of derailleur hangers, and the point is to opt for the one that’s going to suit your frame. Differences can refer to the type and number of fasteners they utilize and whether they can be mounted on the outside or inside.
Some of them may come with a variety of specific features. It’s worth mentioning that frequently these hangers are model-specific and that manufacturers tend to alter their design for a specific model mid-product cycle. 
Furthermore, it’s always recommended to have an old hanger by your side, just so you can be sure that the new design matches it.

Is It Expensive To Obtain One?

The good news is that this component is, in fact, pretty cheap and something that anybody can afford. It’s much better to acquire a new one than to fully replace or repair the frame. You’ll need a couple of bucks for it.

Although derailleur hangers are quite small, they are definitely far from irrelevant. On the contrary, in certain situations, they can be true life-savers, which is why every cyclist should have them on hand.