Field Fix — Mangled Derailleur
 our tire's blown, your handlebar's busted, your chain's broken. But if you think you're in for a long walk home, think again. There are fixes to almost any problem you can encounter in the field.The Problem: Your rear derailleur is mangled and you're out in the middle of nowhere. The Solution: Take off the derailleur and remove enough links from the chain so that it's tight when placed on the 3rd or 4th cog and the middle chainring. Presto! Your bike is now a single-speed. | |
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If you've left your tool kit at home, you can also use your bike as a scooter. Put your outside leg on the pedal and kick with your inside leg. This is difficult over rough terrain and going up hills. But it beats walking. | |
| Bonus Repairs | |
The Problem: Your rear derailleur is mangled and you're out in the middle of nowhere without a tool kit. The Solution: Find a piece of bailing wire and lash the derailleur to the seat stay, high enough to suspend the chain by the bottom pulley. Use the middle chainring and 3rd cog. "The lesson I learned is carry a good multi-tool, and extra removable chain links." Posted by Larry. The Problem: Your rear derailleur is mangled and you're out in the middle of nowhere. The Solution: Grab your duct tape/zip ties/bailing wire and tie a stick between the seatstays and chainstays and use it to guide your chain. Posted by Ken. |