From the creative minds that brought you the Cable Cherry, Forager Cycles has done it again with another simple, elegant, and brilliant solution. Introducing Adam’s H.A.T. (Hanger Alignment Tool). This small but handy tool is simply an ultralight, emergency derailleur hanger alignment tool for repairing hangers damaged during a ride.
Bending your derailleur hanger mid-ride is a drag. With Adam’s H.A.T., you (and your friends) will have peace of mind knowing that this tool can get you shifting and back on the trail/road.
How the H.A.T. Works
Forager says, that their “patent pending H.A.T. works by allowing you to attach your front thru-axle to your bent derailleur hanger, and use your axle and front wheel together to maximize leverage and control while straightening your hanger”.
The front wheel will also provide a much larger visual reference point during the procedure. If your front wheel looks to be parallel with your rear wheel, you’re good to go. Just install the rear derailleur again, adjust your limit screws, and cable tension, and get back to riding.
Adam’s H.A.T. Retail and Sizes
Since it’s designed for your front axle to thread into, you’ll need to make sure you get the right size for your bike. Currently, Forager offers three sizes for the following forks:
12 x 1.5mm: Many (though not all) gravel forks. Enve, Fyxation, Lithic, and rigid forks using 12mm paragon machine works dropouts. If the Axle Finder doesn’t give a result, use the Robert Axle Project 12mm thread measuring template.
14 x 1.5mm: 15mm thru-axle Fox forks. *On fox forks, while the axle diameter is 15mm, the thread diameter is 14mm.
15 x 1.5mm: 15mm thru-axle Rockshox Forks, MRP, SR Suntour, and other brands.
Retail: $36
Steps of Installation
- Remove your rear derailleur from the derailleur hanger
- Remove your front wheel and thru-axle from the fork
- Thread the H.A.T. into the derailleur hanger, ensuring that it sits flush against the hanger. Tighten to 3-5Nm, or about as tight as you’d tighten a bell on your handlebar. If needed, remove the rear wheel and use a 4mm hex on the HAT to tighten. Then, reinstall the rear wheel.
- Insert your front thru-axle through the front hub, and thread the axle into the H.A.T. until it is hand-tight. If you only have one multi-tool, do not use it to tighten the axle into the HAT. If you use a tool to tighten the axle, you may need two tools to separate the axle from the H.A.T later
Alignment - Holding on to the front wheel with both hands, gently bend and straighten the derailleur hanger. The goal is to align your front wheel parallel to your rear wheel as close as possible
Tip: Break off a small stick roughly the length of the gap between the two wheels, and use this as a visual aid to compare the gap at different points on the rim. The distance should be nearly the same when aligned. - With your hanger aligned, remove the H.A.T. and reassemble the bike. Before you ride, position your rear wheel off the ground and check your shifting – if needed, adjust your limit screws and barrel adjuster
- Once you’ve checked your shifting, you’re ready to roll
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