Tag Archives: Cinelli

Cinelli Experience

Finally, there’s a CINELLI Experience that was having issues with its gears. Having assessed the rear derailleur, which had a few battle scars, it was clear the gear hanger had probably taken a knock or two. Out with Park Tool‘s brilliant Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge (they have to come up with something snappier than that!) which quickly confirmed the hanger was mis-aligned meaning gear changes were patchy at best. The tool allows you to ‘persuade’ the hanger, which is a relatively malleable alloy, back in to line. Once that was achieved, the derailleur was re-fitted, the gears re-indexed, and fingers crossed, that should be that.

Cinelli Experience

Assorted Gear Hangers

Time for a wee catch-up. First off, it’s all been about gear hangers these past few weeks. You know, those small pieces of alloy that form a bridge between your frame and the bike’s rear derailleur. Important things gear hangers. If your rear mech takes a whack, the gear hanger’s designed to bend (up to a point) thus protecting the frame and hopefully minimising damage to your derailleur. This lot all had that in common (unfortunately, the Specialized Bicycles Pitch needed a new hanger as well). I’ve included a couple of pictures of the Focus Bikes Izalco Pro’s rear derailleur which appeared to have overshot its’ low stop and ended up in a right pickle. Easing the low stop off saw the spring compress (nearly taking my hand off) and it once again resembled a rear mech (phew!)