Description: Park Tool DERAILLEUR HANGER ALIGNMENT GAUGE (DAG-2.2) Price: R1'100 (the price of 5-8 new hangers). URL: http://www.parktool.com/product/derailleur-hanger-alignment-gauge-dag-2-2 Video:
A couple of years ago I started a thread about hanger alignment tools and decided to eventually buy one over the weekend. Yes, they are pricey and many tool heads question the need but I decided to take the plunge after my son managed to mess up his hanger on the first day he had his new 20" MTB. Firstly its Park Tool so comes with +5 bragging rights. Second, its a Park Tool and well built. My grandchildren will be using this for their grandchildren. Its very easy to use and feels damn solid. Its a simple tool but its needs to be precise and thats what PT are good at achieving with their products. There are cheaper alternatives at half the price but they all come with the complaint of play on the tool, not exactly what you want. It took me 10 minutes to straighten the hanger, 8 minutes was me not reading instructions and trying to figure it on the fly. But I got the hanger straight and it was magic. Shifting is 100% perfect again. I had to set the derailleur as my local LBS did not check the hanger alignment. Was it worth the cash considering a new hanger is only R150-R200. Well I think so. I've already gone through a few on my MTB and now my son will be burning cash with his. Its also a tool that will last. Its very much like a good wheel truing stand (my next purchase), you can pay others to do it for you or you could buy your own and learn to master the art of bicycle repair. I still recommend supporting your LBS but if like me you need to also service your kids bikes, then this might be worth considering. http://www.parktool.com/assets/img/product/_productDetail/DAG-2.2_001.jpg
