The MTB thread

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

Luckypants, I was out on saturday for a ride when I was climbing up I saw a guy with a trek (same frame as yours) pushing his bike down, stopped to see if all was well and nope, his derailer mount had snapped while climbing... he claimed without hitting anything! So just thought id say, it might be worth getting one bought as spare to carry with you.

Without spares to hand, a broken derailleur or mech hanger could be be sorted by shortening the chain and converting to singlespeed. It's tricky on a full suss to get the length right, but it'd get you home at least.

Usually I only carry

pump
tyre levers
inner tube
puncture repair kit
SRAM power links
multitool
zip ties (put to good use when TLW popped his shorts)
phone

Aye, not a bad idea, a single speed would probably not have worked under the circumstances (VERY bumpy DH style track, lots of rock gardens). Thing is a drop out isnt heavy and should be half way simple to change out.

[Drew Carey]

Howdy all. I have noticed something not so good on my bike. It appears that whilst in Wales the Quick Release on the rear has mangled the dropout a little. It is still secure, but obviously I want to change. My question however is, are dropouts made for specific frames or are they quite generic?

[Luckypants]

Drew I cannot find anything that gives details on your bike's frame construction, but my first question would be does it have replaceable dropouts? Most MTBs with replaceable dropouts will have ones that bolt on so the hole pattern needs to match when going for a replacement.

[Drew Carey]

It has what looks like an alu plate between the derraileur mount and frame. This alu plate is then connected where the Quick Release comes through.

Thats the dropout isn't it? I know Decathlon sell them, but was wandering if could just buy one off ebay.

It will be a bike specific part. Probably just best to go to Decathlon... How damaged is it? Any pictures?

[Drew Carey]

Not got any pics at mo. The QR has dug into the alu a little. It is not in any danger of coming off or anything, I am keeping an eye on it to make sure it doesn't do any more damage until I can get it changed.

[mattSV]

All the ones I have bought have been bike/frame specific, so I would recommend a trip to Decathlon.

Not sure how a QR would mangle a dropout though?

[Drew Carey]

I think it must have taken a known on the QR in Wales, thus jamming it into the dropout. To be honest, I am thinking I will invest in new QR skewers anyhow and get new dropouts once paid next week.

Originally Posted by mattSV

Not sure how a QR would mangle a dropout though?

My dropouts have slight indentations where the raised areas have gripped into the alu. I put it down to too much torque when securing, but I'd rather it be a bit tight than loose