Achilles’ Heel is quite famous; or maybe infamous is more like it!

Have you ever noticed that one particular part of your bicycle seems more prone to causing problems than the rest of the machine? It’s rather like Achilles, of Greek legend. He was invulnerable, except for his heel.

My road bike’s Achilles’ heel seems to be the rear derailer hanger. I’ve had to replace it three or even four times in less than six years! I now keep a spare on hand at all times, because it takes the bike shop about a week to get a new one; and while I wait for it, I miss a lot of riding.

I don’t know why that rear derailer hanger is so prone to damage, unless it’s because of its placement on the bike. I does rather stick out; and if the bike falls and lands on its right side, the derailer hanger is a very likely impact point.

You’d think the pedal sticking out would catch the bike, wouldn’t you? Or the handlebars. But the rear derailer hanger still takes the brunt. Maybe the weight of the cassette comes into play.

It would be nice if we could all make our bicycles impervious to whatever bumps, falls, etc. we’ll ever encounter. Unfortunately there’s no River Styx at hand.