What is this very good idea? A universal derailer hanger!

There are derailer hangers, and then there are derailer hangers. The one shown here is Shimano compatible.

The people at my bike shop once said that most (all?) bicycles, at least road bikes, require model-specific derailer hangers, which makes replacing that hanger a bigger nuisance than I think it ought to be. You\’d think the manufacturers could get together for some brain-storming, wouldn\’t you? Suppose you\’re on a bicycle tour and your derailer hanger breaks; and the only bike shop you can find doesn\’t have the right kind?

Adventure Cycling offers a Problem Solvers Universal Derailer Hanger!

I discovered that my road bike\’s rear derailer hanger is quite vulnerable, and it galls me to have to miss the road bike for up to a week while the shop waits for the replacement to arrive. After the second or third time it happened I got, if I may say so myself, a very good idea. I began to keep a spare one at home at all times.

If I\’m going to do a special event, such as Tour de Cure, I make a note to pack along that spare derailer hanger. I ought, in fact, to keep it in my road bike\’s under saddle pack at all times.

Such a small part to cause such big headaches!