What to do if you break a derailleur or hanger (TRAILSIDE SINGLE-SPEED CONVERSION) | Syd Fixes Bikes

[@wolfganghaberl3092]

Great vid as always guys! One remark: if your chain has a quick link you can open it easily with a shoe lace or some other kind of cord e.g. from your back pack, etc. Just wrap it around the two rollers and pull the ends across. No tool needed.

[@PsyKeks]

Well, that IS a tool, but yes. (But might ruin a shoe lace and even the shoe afterwards. 😉)

[@KestrelYI]

Yep! Was going to suggest this!

[@maciej_ma]

You don't need shifting then pull out shifting cable. And use this. But have gloves on. Steel cable can cut fingers

[@mattkavanaugh5623]

That's a great tip! I carry a little Leatherman tool that includes small needle nose pliers that also work to open a master link, as well as to remove cable ends, bend or cut spokes, and remove overtightened valve nuts.

[@gatoryak7332]

To open the quick link, I bought a cheap, 7 in. Wire Stripper with Cutter (google it). It's spring-loaded, has a serrated jaw, and a wire cutter. I did grind the tips down so that they would fit into a 12-speed chain. A file or belt sander would work, too. The weight of this tool is imperceptible. It cost US$4. It stays in the tool pouch of my camelback. I've used it as pliers more often than as a quick link tool.

[@michaellangfitt2077]

I PRAY that I never need this knowledge, but am happy to know it none the less. Again, simple, clear, and beneficial.

[@robbieumlauf7494]

Last time I went on a longer trail ride, I had a flat, chain broke, then chain broke again.. love the videos! Saving me tons of money on a mechanic.

[@greggr1591]

Really like how you always preface these tips with common sense advice, e.g., if you’re close to home and this happens and the route isn’t long/gnarly just hike it out. And maybe suggest to our trouble-prone friend that he’s only allowed to ride 3 mile out-and-backs so important people aren’t interrupted in giving Jack the attention he deserves? 😎

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah what is it with this guy 😂

[@ZachAttack8258]

I appreciated the summary at the end 👍

[@esandberg74]

I'm clearly riding in the wrong part of the Country. You guys have it made in the shade! That chain is sooo clean...no mud and no black flies!!! Love the vidoes.

[@TallGuyDownhill]

Excellent video. I’ve always known this was possible but I have never considered the possibility that a full suspension bike could break the chain during compression. This information will definitely save me sometime in the future.

[@WheelsonaBike]

These videos are fantastic. Very informative and straight forward. Thank you!

[@scottysblog7317]

My derailleur hanger snapped today on an urban trail. I had to gouge it out of the spokes. It broke 4 of them. I walked to the nearest bike shop. Thanks for this nice information. I will be adding it to my handy fix list.

[@SirJohnCalzone]

Whooo! First I got to watch the Redbull Hardline livestream and now a new Syd and Macky video! Awesome Sunday so far! One thing to add (I think I saw this somewhere on yt, haven't tested it so don't take my word for it) is that you can make an improvised chainguide out of zip ties. You connect two to to both the seatstay and chainstay so that they create a two-piece chain and then connect them in the middle with the fifth zip tie. You pass the bike chain through the middle loop, and if it's tight enough it should just help keep the chain in line. Either way, good video as always guys, can't wait for the next one! :)

[@sydfixesbikes]

Good tip. We'll have to try that out.

[@waynecallister2236]

Another great video. 'Don't put ... on the ground.' Another gem of wisdom!

[@georgemacdonald6805]

Nice video - another addition is to carry a short length of water hose (50mm) and a couple of cable ties. Tie the hose to the inside of the chain stay and run the chain through as you have done. This adds tension in the system, keep the chain aligned and on the front cog. Works well. Love these videos - keep up the great work. Stay safe keep well.

[@sydfixesbikes]

That is a fascinating idea. We'll have to test it sometime. Thanks for sharing.

[@chiccorocker]

It should be mentioned that it helps a lot if the rider in distress is the single speed national champion

[@whatever4065]

My hanger broke just three days before you uploaded....Had to push my bike home (14 km). Thanks for the upload (even though it comes late for me), I'll try your technique if it happens again 🤞

[@sydfixesbikes]

Hopefully now that you know what to do you'll never have to put it into practice!

[@darrenoconnor6612]

You wouldn't believe this, but my Ultegra derailleur snapped mid ride yesterday. I was 50 miles away from home, and it started to rain. I had a multi tool, but my chain link multi tool was with my other bike. Thankfully this time I managed to get a friend to rescue me!

[@Spinistry]

Fantastic and timely video. We had just posted some advice for basic "survival" skills needed for longer gravel rides. We consider converting to single speed to be an essential skill for anyone riding in the back country. This is an excellent overview of the how's and why's and when not to's. Thanks for the great content!

[@4961Studebaker]

Survival > over shredding. Syd Saves Lives.

[@CJinsoo]

Great video, love the discussion of trade-offs and survival v. shredding, as well as the emphasis on what to do when you didn’t come prepared. @9:10 on sizing the chain, worth noting that making the chain longer for suspension compression (the shredder mode) isn’t feasible because the derailleur is what takes up that slack in the chain until it is needed at compression (or shifting), and keeps the chain on when in higher or lower gears that have suboptimal chain lines. without that rear derailleur, if the chain is super slack and loose, or in an extreme gear, you’re going to be walking as it keeps coming off.

[@teunluijbregts2533]

Great vid, thanks 👍 Idea: a broken drive side spoke in the rear wheel. Had this happen to me in a high-end wheel because the spoke tension was off. The wheel was so far out of true that it was actually rubbing on the stays 😭. It took me a bike-shop stop to get home - forever grateful to those guys btw for their kind help 🙏

[@campia901]

This is quite interesting recommendation. Couple of weeks ago I had to do this after 20 miles of my West Highland Way in one day adventure. Ended up turning it into single speed to save the ride

[@Hindsight-ep3hf]

Just found your channel, what an excellant team!!! Change nothing👍👍👍

[@jimmilton6044]

Had the B hanger on my derailleur snap, the bolts holding the hanger shear (had a spare hanger), not that far from the end but good to practice skills, split the chain single speed, went loose tried again different gear shorter chain, chain snapped after couple hundred meters. used a spare quick link, broke in a different part of the chain. Walked rode home, read that new chains don't split and join well. Still had a good day and was due a complete chainring replacement, happy days fixing the bike.

[@Tom-fn8xc]

SRAM makes a universal derailleur hanger now, I have one on my 2021 stumpy. It only costs $15 too which is nice for a part that’s basically made to break. Hoping other manufacturers will go the same route

[@bob-ny6kn]

An adapter for an adapter. Those m*f*s.

[@Tom-fn8xc]

@@bob-ny6kn not an adapter it’s the actual hanger

[@Markomyt1]

Great tutorial! Tell me if this is dumb... figure out where your bike does best as a single speed. Break your chain and find the right length for your chain... put in two quick links to allow you to shorten the chain quickly to make it a single speed. Then when you need the shorter chain you can just "POP OUT" the section to have the shorter chain... or you could carry a 2nd chain that is already shortened... (How much does a chain weigh?) The latter is my choice, because I have had to do this 3 times in my life... one was a broken derailleur, the other two I broke the chain, but all I had to do is pop out the broken link and put it back together. Fortunately, I had a chain breaker. The only time I have been stranded is when I had a flat on a tube and my patch glue was dried up... long walk, that was.

[@johnshannon]

A tip I read elsewhere - put 2 quick links on your chain, one for normal situation and another if you break your derailleur, so you could quickly convert to single-speed mode

[@kaidwyer]

Yeah, that has the added bonus of making it so you can figure out the optimal gear with a clear and un-frustrated head.

[@UniversalPioneer]

Good to know for bike packing. Way in the future I’m looking to Rohloff belt drive for ultimate reliability.

[@cbyron9308]

I remember when hangers were part of the frame so when it broke, your frame was done. My uncle worked with aluminum and replaced mine. The alignment was off a little, but it still worked.

[@ebhkkc1]

Thank you. I am doing the CT trail. This was so helpful

[@bluegpu]

Great videos, just found yall's channel and subscribed. Love that you all explain why you are doing what you are doing and how the components work. Would love to see y'all make a "how to fix a creaky seat post shaft" or bike creaks in general, video. Your videos are great because of the depth of explanation. Very different from most other bike maintenence videos. Great work!

[@putrid_swamp_juice]

My derailleur broke this Sunday. I had no tools but luckily I was able to get it out of the spokes and wasn't that far from a road. Had to walk the bike for 1.5 hours home. Getting a SRAM eagle SX was impossible due to parts shortage so I had to upgrade to an NX.

[@bikeraftpnw8575]

This is a really great channel. Another good trailside repair video would be a snapped derailleur cable. This happened to me on a recent ride and I adjusted the limit screw on my derailleur to get into an easier gear. I also have a 2x so at least I had two gears to use on the way back.

[@andiandholly]

i always carry a microfibre cloth and a plastic bag with me, helps in muddy conditions to be a perfect mechanic

[@philrc1]

Pretty good episode. Great info

[@madrodeo425]

Well, a quick hack for you, shoelace can be use to open up the quick link 😁

[@norumai]

Haven't experienced it but I think it'd be great if you make a trail-side fix for badly warped wheels. Like for example you hit a tree real hard or someone/something hit your wheels from the side.

[@gatoryak7332]

If you are riding out far enough to make this work a practical option, then you should probably be carrying a jacket or warmer shirt, just in case. If you don't, then at least carry on old t-shirt. While you are doing any trail work on a bike, spread the jacket or t-shirt on the ground, under your work site. Place parts you remove and your tools on the jacket - that way you won't lose them. Also, any part that you accidentally drop will land on the jacket and will be easy to find. I speak from experience; this tip does work.

[@CanyonWanderer]

One of the first thoughts on my 60 km ride today: Yay!, I finally got a multi-tool with a chain breaker on board!, second thought: yea, but you did not bring a magic link at all.... and Oh BTW, the pump is also still on the other bike... 🤣

[@sydfixesbikes]

Oops! Hope it was an uneventful ride!

[@CanyonWanderer]

Luckily: yes!, but it shows that a checklist is not a luxury

[@jeff7086]

You can use your shoe lace to remove a quick link. Take the lace wrap the two pins and take a stick or Alan wrench and start twisting the lace, and POP the quick link will release.

[@johnumbach7064]

Enjoy the repair advice. Do you have a video of all the equipment one should carry on a looong cross country mtn bike ride?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Not yet, but it's one we're planning to do!

[@harrylen1688]

The SRAM XX1 Rear Derailleur fall apart initially my plan was 50 mil ride which I change to 110 m Long story short it took me 1.5hrs by walking to reach the small Town also 2 hrs for my Girlfriend to drive there. Afterall next day the head mechanic of the Bike shop couldn't believe that was a defective one. Aguess he thought was my fault, BTW I couldn't expect for that happen cause the Bike was a month old. Anyway hard to forget:) Very informative Vid!

[@stugotswins]

A flat tire and a broken pump so I stuffed the tire with leaves and sticks and l made it back out....it was kind of satisfying listening to the little sticks breaking

[@kaidwyer]

Better idea: put it in the next higher gear (next smaller sprocket, wouldn’t say this if I didn’t have to remind myself too) than what it “wants” to fall into, because then the chain length and chain line will force that gear for sure. The chain line will encourage a downshift, and the chain tension will want an upshift, resulting in a balance.

[@theparalexview785]

Connex quick links don't need a tool to open. Variations of that type of quick link have been around for decades. And while KMC doesn't recommend it, their Missing Links can be reused. With each reuse the snap connection loosens and you won't need a tool. I keep my worn KMC Missing Links as spares for emergencies. So far I've never had one pop open unexpectedly during a ride. But I ride mostly road. On a MTB the terrain might be rough enough to pop open a worn Missing Link. Still worth considering for emergencies.

[@tonyhruzek4250]

I have always found it easier to deal with drive train wheel issues in the fiel by just turning the bike over and working on it wheels up.

[@AndrewBlucher]

Maybe the only time you should turn your bike upside down.

[@nlfiets]

Tip: Check your chain if it's "twisted", make certain to take that part out. Hopefully you have enough left for making a 1x. Once used this method to get home, 30km walking avoided.

[@RKTheTrailHunter]

About 4 months ago i was on the trails and my hub gave out and the cassette was spinning but the wheel was not moving forward although it was a very cheap hub and i had to walk about 12km to home

[@martinfoster5163]

My derailleur hanger broke today and there seems to be other damage. I didn't have any tools or spares. However, I was only a few hundred meters from home, so I just wheeled the bike home on the front wheel, holding the rest of the bike up. It's an eMTB so quite a bit heavier than the average bike but it was a simple operation. I can deal with the repair more easily in my workshop, or take it to a bike mechanic. Since I live in the mountains and don't have spare parts, I have to go to the city anyway. So I might as well have a mechanic do the whole thing. Labor is cheap here in Mongolia.

[@Pcgdean]

Don't worry I bought a multi tool with a chain breaker after your broken chain video 😂

[@PoliticusRex632]

Alas! The real story behind Mackey going single speed.

[@sydfixesbikes]

😂

[@scottdad2825]

Wow guys really like the Syd and Macky Channel. Had no idea I was going to love the Sid fix Channel even more. Great job and thank you from a fellow New Mexican. Would love to see some Sid fix merchandise. Your emblem is awesome but don't always want to wear a couple kissing shirt / hat when you're out with the boys.:-) keep up the good work

[@kiranfelix5799]

I'm starting Mountain biking with all the worst stuff. Faceplated practicing bunnyhop , now a broken derailer which got bend into the wheel while practicing the hop.

[@Dan_Kornfeld]

Survival of the Shreddist! Awesome emergency on trail repair tips to get you home. It’s either this, or make your riding partner ride all the way home and back for tools and parts! ;)

[@Jobaezbm]

Great video!

[@kevinyounger7854]

KMC makes tire levers with a quick link popping tool - hopefully that helps someone

[@scvsmokee4188]

I'm always trying to survive while shredding

[@pauldoucette7627]

My thinking is a chain link remover works exactly like using a watch wristband link remover.

[@solitaryrefinement6787]

00:02 Next thing you know, Jack'll be demanding a SAG card and his own trailer. 😂

[@damonvanopdorp2905]

A new skill that I hope I never have to use!

[@razvanbenca1345]

It happened to me that the hanger broke and I needed to go for this "hack" and it didn't end well for one of the cassette cogs. Luckily it didn't break and I could straighten back the cog and make it useable again. If the hanger or derailleur breaks it's just better and a lot safer to remove the chain and derailleur and push uphill and balance on flat parts.

[@misfitgroup]

I have used string to break a quick link a few times.

[@razmtb5028]

nice, thanks for sharing :)

[@abuckcat]

Shock pump would help to firm up suspension so you wouldn't snap chain on compression

[@davidlewis1886]

Here's something that's happened twice to me. breaking about 4-6 spokes on the same side of the flange. The first time I caught a stick, the second time my derailleur did a barrel roll. when you break so many spokes on one side of the the wheel, the wheel won't even turn freely in the rear triangle. Both times I had to carry/stash the bike and walk out. I don't see any way around this one other than carrying spokes and doing a trailside wheel true. trying to true the wheel with so many spokes missing doesn't work (it was a 28-spoke hub).

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah I think in that situation you're walking...

[@seeyesgooooo8147]

Pls make a derailleur adjustment video pls I watched so many videos and tried to adjust its good but when I am riding had the gears just jump but are stable in lower speeds. All of this happened because my chain was worn and I was waiting for my new chain and kept ringing so it worn full drive train and replaced my drive train 10 speed deore . Pls help me

[@sydfixesbikes]

You mean like this video 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZeQhWurd52nmNU

[@GeekonaBike]

One note of caution: this isn't gonna work w/ an oval chainring. even w/ the perfect chain tension & chainline the cog set teeth are made to shift & they will went you hit a bump as the oval chainring is at the slackist point of your pedal stroke. When backpacking I now carry a backup singlespeed cog & spacers which work fine w/ even the ovalist of chainrings.

[@crocopie]

But what happens to the rear dereuilleur once you get home? Is there hope to put it back in place?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Depends if it's the derailleur or derailleur hanger that's broken. If it's the hanger, you can usually replace that, reattach the derailleur and you're good to go. If it's the derailleur, you'll need to either fix it replace it. Either way, it's generally a good idea to replace the cable and housing when you do so!

[@danielauen7790]

Is it possible to have a bike with a functional/shiftable 3 speed crankset, and a single gear on the back?

[@sydfixesbikes]

That's an interesting question. I've never seen one but you could potentially use a derailleur as a tensioner and it might work...

[@Leo_Inclan]

11:15 Isn't that what the other set of "teeth" in the chainbreaker is for? I was taught when I first learned to break a chain that as you put the pin in, you're compressing all the moving parts, so you always want to go a teeny tiny bit "too tight", and then de-compress it by pushing (the same teeny tiny bit) from the other side with the first pair of little teeth, the ones that don't push against a plate. It always works perfectly and I feel like many people don't know what those are for... or maybe I was just taught a clever hack and those are meant for something else!

[@sydfixesbikes]

Didn't know that! Learn something new everyday!

[@alfred1925]

@@sydfixesbikes It may be true. An outer link will bend slightly inwards elastically and might get trapped in that position by the inner and pin.

[@alfred1925]

Nice video.

[@ready-to-shreddy5047]

you can remove quick link using a shoelace. Seth alvo has covered it on his channel.

[@sanabibimtb]

Great video dude! Very informative and entertaining!👍 Thank You from me and my Channel!❤️❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@kiranfelix5799]

Remove the derailer by breaking the chain. Shorten the chain by setting up it in an ok gear. Put the chain lock. Keep riding. Single gear conversion.

[@georgelouie5330]

curious if you can't just put it on the smallest rear gear (highest speed)? The chain certainly won't fall off the gear..

[@sydfixesbikes]

Unfortunately it wants to be "straight" with the front chainring so it will usually work it's way up the cassette and then break because of the additional tension.

[@georgelouie5330]

@@sydfixesbikes - yeah. I guess when the derailer is in position, it holds the chain from creeping back up the cassette, as well as provides slack for when the larger gears are used.

[@DANNYGATESTHEAGEDSINGER]

Very interesting but it doesn't help me with my my problem is my derailleur cage is sitting on my chain

[@zelphermm]

Unfortunately for me my derailleur hangers never break and I have to buy a whole new derailleurs and happened to me twice already and my bike is less then a year old. Sram gx eagles

[@threeyothree5872]

had to do this once. I do NOT recommend this method for full suspension bikes. the chain jumped up to a larger cog at some point because of the suspension, and completely locked out my suspension, and was so tight that when I tried to remove the rear axle it stripped.

[@maximmashkin341]

best tool to remove quick link is lace ;)

[@kiranfelix5799]

Incase you don't have a mutitool to break the chain. Use Nut and a nail. Put the chain linkage on top of the nut on the ground , hammer the chain pin using the nail and stone lying around.

[@somethingelsehere8089]

OMG, that hurt! Now I definitely can't ride home. ;)

[@kiranfelix5799]

@@somethingelsehere8089 it works. That's how we do it in india.

[@Alagathevictor]

Same happened with me. And I noticed how thin and flimsy the metal is at the deraillour hanger. Why do they design it like that ? Even if it’s fixable, its super annoying to take it all apart and replace the hanger

[@sydfixesbikes]

Definitely, but MUCH better that the hanger fails instead of the derailleur or frame as both are a lot more expensive. There's a fine line though of light enough to fail, but strong enough to not bend all the time and some brands tend to go too light

[@Alagathevictor]

@@sydfixesbikes But the deraillour itself is not under alot of force, all of it goes to the hanger which should be strong. The frame is quite strong, although carbon is brittle, should not fail unless it gets smashed by something

[@sydfixesbikes]

That's the idea, that the hanger should bend if the derailleur gets hit by a rock or during a crash. If your hanger is bending while you're just riding, then it's definitely too weak!

[@adjans539]

I tried to pedal hard on 1st gear whilst going like 30 mph.

[@ronyocta8240]

Maybe we should bring RD hanger for backup

[@SenorGonzo]

“make-SHIFT” repair. Lol.

[@PsyKeks]

heheh.

[@kanekatsu_]

good one haha

[@edrianvicentillo4535]

How can i fix the cassette rubbing on my spokes

[@bob-ny6kn]

Is there no lock-out for rear suspension?

[@drumerboy456sx]

Had to do this today, just lock your suspension so that you don’t compress and break your chain.

[@dirttdude]

if you can get the P arm working, you can still shift the front rings

[@YogiliciousP]

Q: Will a new chain need to be put on or can that chain be put back tgthr AND if so would/could this cause unnecessary wear on the rest of your drivetrain?

[@nlfiets]

New chain is the best. Don't put parts of chain together, this increase the chance of breaking. New chain is less wear.

[@sydfixesbikes]

I agree with Peter. Also, if your chain broke, it's much more likely to break again, so better to replace it and not have it happen again!

[@YogiliciousP]

@@sydfixesbikes ​@UC0wBQesB7xqpmiWiun2PMzw Yes, if my chain broke while I rode it needs to be replaced, but what about in relation to this vid where the problem was the derailleur and you choose to shorten the chain to temporarily make the bike a single speed…can that chain, once your home, be reassembled & reused, or once it’s taken apart, either at the quick link or by popping a pin, it’s time for a new chain?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Gotcha. Yes, you could put it back together, but generally it's best to replace it at that point!

[@YogiliciousP]

@@sydfixesbikes 👍

[@jrludwig1]

I wondered if the chain will stay on better on the next smallest cog from the most aligned cog. Seems like a little pressure up the cassette might hold it better, but I bet it's not enough to shift it off the cog. I haven't tried this, and I might be wrong, but it might work. Anyone tried this?

[@simonchaddock3694]

I notice those rims are xt are they ali or carbon cheers

[@sydfixesbikes]

Aluminum

[@djcooljones4585]

Macky cringes as Syd takes chain of derailleur!! Making a hot mess!! LOL

[@gireeshan-bd6hi]

My rear derailer is touching my spoke when 1 :1 how to fix it

[@sydfixesbikes]

Most likely your derailleur hanger is bent.

[@gireeshan-bd6hi]

@@sydfixesbikes thanks👍

[@twinwankel]

That's why I'm a roadie. If my bike becomes disabled, I just call my friends to pick me up or uber. The other thing to do is to have a preshortened chain with you. It's not that much weight. Thanks.

[@jag1870]

Pre-shortened chain as back up is a great idea!

[@sufix9542]

HELP!! How can i make my front suspension plush? Its an coil fork a rockshox tora sl 120mm coil. Edit: spelling.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Make sure to check out our suspension playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL5oBM6WNpPe88jxDenlM5B0wFUVX4zUI1

[@bikeman123]

Everyone recommends this but it doesn't work. As you found yourself, the problem is the none of the cassette cogs are exactly aligned with the front chain ring and as soon as you press on the pedals the chain will hop between gears, it gets loose and falls off. Didnt work for me, had to get a taxi. Also getting the wrong gear, leaves you without a spare quick link to try again. Also removing the quick link without ploers is pretty much impossible.

[@aarons4180]

true. i've only seen this trick be successful on a hardtail.

[@aggese]

Get the conex quick links They dont need any tool to open

[@jennifurzoe1302]

Why I carry a spare d hanger,it only took one to come apart that I learned that.

[@gregwolf3560]

Have you ever taken Jack, your cat, out on the trails to see if he would like to see some of the other places you visit? Or, does he not like to ride along?

[@sydfixesbikes]

He'll occasionally follow us on walks, but he doesn't get very far before he gets scared and sprints home 😁

[@jantelliquawallace355]

if you have a friend with you just zip tie broken stuff to the chain stay and have them push you.

[@zackriot1268]

0:02 lol that my name 'zack'😆

[@kalijasin]

Hi Jack 👋🏼