HELP!!! what the HELL happened to my bike?!

[UseItOrLooseIt]

Ok, so here's the yarn: I was going down these stairs today-



I guess I was going sorta fast, not really though, and when I hit the last two or three stairs, I get this feeling like I'm going OTB, but it comes back to normal and I just kinda fall to the side. When I got up, this was lying on the ground-



Then I looked back at my bike, and I saw this-



Here's some other perspectives of it:





I don't really know what this is, but it looks BAD. Is it an easy fix, or do I have to take it into the shop? Does anyone know how much it will cost?

If you could answer any of these questions, you will have my unyielding gratitude

[new2mtb]

Looks like you will need a new rear deraliuer, then re-align the hanger and you should be good. Its weird how you did that though, did you hit something ? or chain suck ?

[LBmtb]

Photos are a bit blurry. Were you so scared and nervous that your hand was shaking while you took those photos? jk, bro

Hard to say from the photos but I'm guessing new derailleur also.

[SAR_boats]

I second (third) that. New derailler. I have a used XT rapid rise if you are interested, will sell cheap

[Collette]

Bikes still come with that plastic spoke protector?

It did it's job in this case.


Definitely a New Derailleur, maybe a new chain, just to be safe.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

I've got a couple of deraileurs for sale. Some more parts for sale

[UseItOrLooseIt]

I just figured out what happened, The derailleur got hit by the handrail posts on the last couple of stairs, and just slammed the holy hell out of it. Will there be repair costs, or is it an easy thing to change? PS should I get one of those powerlink chains if I get a new one?

[RidetheRAAM4]

the sram master link thing is what i have because that stupid shimano chain master link thing is retarded to get on and off, the sram one is easy

putting a new derailler on is pretty easy and you can set it up yourself just go to Welcome to Park Tool Company and go to repair elp at the top and then click on which part of the bike you need help withj (the rear derailler) and it guides you through the adjustments

[UseItOrLooseIt]

O.K., thanks everyone for the help. I think I'll just get it put on professionally and watch the guy do it

[soul rider]

hand rail? how? seems like you would have caught a pedal first.
with all the bouncing i think the chain flew up into the plastic spoke gaurd.
good luck

[Flat Broke]

Do yourself a favor, buy one of the used rear derailleurs on here for cheap, straighten/align your derailleur hanger, and try the install yourself. You won't need more in the way of tools than you should already carry with you in your pack. The park tools link posted is very detailed and will get you going without any headaches. Not only will you probably learn a valuable aspect of bike maintenence and save repair bill; but if you can't get it sorted out, and you have to take it to a mechanic, you're not out anything for trying.

As far as chains and master links. Master links are for sucks. If you don't have a decent chain tool by now, take the money you would save between buying a new derailleur and a previously loved one on here, and spend the money on a good multi-tool for your pack that has a chain tool. Performance has one that is usually like 20 bucks or so, but usually always on sale for 9-12 and the chain tool on it is better than some of the dedicated chain tools I've seen sold. Just install the chain with the tool sans master link. Again, having the tool and knowing the procedure can save a ride for you or a friend when a breakdown occurs on the trail.

As far as what happened? Hard to say. You could have hit something, but as already stated, the pedal usually hits first unless it's a rock or something. But if the back end was skipping around, it could have found it's way into the rail.

Sorry about the wreckage, but at least it didn't take out the spokes/wheel.

Good luck with it,
Chris

[roadkillross]

man that bike sucks i rode that same set on an old GT hard everything bike and survived lol maybe u should ride taht huh barrett lol

[PHAT TIRE]

grinding the rail on a mountain bike is hard on the derailuer. Try to do the install yourself. Any cool bike shop will help you out typically for free if you are almost there and need a little help.

[UseItOrLooseIt]

haha, thats funny ross... can you help me buy a new derailleur?

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

Do yourself a favor, buy one of the used rear derailleurs on here for cheap, straighten/align your derailleur hanger, and try the install yourself. You won't need more in the way of tools than you should already carry with you in your pack. The park tools link posted is very detailed and will get you going without any headaches. Not only will you probably learn a valuable aspect of bike maintenence and save repair bill; but if you can't get it sorted out, and you have to take it to a mechanic, you're not out anything for trying.

As far as chains and master links. Master links are for sucks. If you don't have a decent chain tool by now, take the money you would save between buying a new derailleur and a previously loved one on here, and spend the money on a good multi-tool for your pack that has a chain tool. Performance has one that is usually like 20 bucks or so, but usually always on sale for 9-12 and the chain tool on it is better than some of the dedicated chain tools I've seen sold. Just install the chain with the tool sans master link. Again, having the tool and knowing the procedure can save a ride for you or a friend when a breakdown occurs on the trail.

As far as what happened? Hard to say. You could have hit something, but as already stated, the pedal usually hits first unless it's a rock or something. But if the back end was skipping around, it could have found it's way into the rail.

Sorry about the wreckage, but at least it didn't take out the spokes/wheel.

Good luck with it,
Chris

Thanks for the advice Chris, I appreciate it. I think the thing I was trying to say was a "powerlink"? Where you can take each chain pin individually off and put it on or something? That's all I'm really looking for. I heard some of them, you take one of the chain pins off and you can't put it back on.

As for the learning part, I'll try to have one of my friends help me put it back together, but that friend said my frame was actually bent, and that sounds beyond my help, he was talking about blowtorches and stuff

If there is a cheap derailleur for sale, that sounds great, whoevers got a great deal, drop me a message, but chances are, I'm just gonna get a brand spanking new one, since it's a birthday present.

BTW, Ross: Comments like:

man that bike sucks i rode that same set on an old GT hard everything bike and survived lol maybe u should ride taht huh barrett lol

Don't really help me out, and they actually piss me off pretty bad, considering I paid $2,500 on this bike. If you don't have something nice to say, spare me and keep it to yourself. I'm on this forum for fun, not for you to ride me on how my bike sucks.

[roadkillross]

dude im not hatin on ur bike i thought id try to bring some humor to the precidament since everyone else knows how to fix it sorry bro

[Flat Broke]

Originally Posted by UseItOrLooseIt

haha, thats funny ross... can you help me buy a new derailleur?



Thanks for the advice Chris, I appreciate it. I think the thing I was trying to say was a "powerlink"? Where you can take each chain pin individually off and put it on or something? That's all I'm really looking for. I heard some of them, you take one of the chain pins off and you can't put it back on.

Actually on most any chain as long as you take your time, you won't have to worry about that. As you start to press the pin out one side of the link, you will feel it start to get stiff like it did when you first started cranking down on the tool. At that point stop, back the tool out and see if you can pull the link apart. If not, start again, but go in small increments. The trick is to push the pin far enough through to let the inside part of the link escape, but not so far that you push the pin past the outer portion of the link. If you push the pin all the way out, 9 times out of 10 you won't be able to salvage that link If you've got an old chain off something else laying around practice on that first and you'll get the "feel" for it. Personally I try and leave as much of the pin protruding to the inside of the link as I can because it helps locate the inner portion of the link when you go to reassemble everything. Nothing sucks more than trying to line the chain up for re-assembly in the dark with someone's helmet light, while the bike is upside down and you can't see for beans. If you can leave a little nub on for the inside portion to kinda rest on, it makes things go MUCH easier. Just practice and you'll get it.

Chris

[dirttorpeedo]

chances are you bent the der hanger when all that happened.it lookes like you ll need a shop to at leest check the hanger.also a der.,a new chain,may as well do the cable.check the spokes next to the cogs.if you dont know how to install the chain with pressing the pin back in,use the master link deal,they werk kwite well imo.i use them all the time,with good results.good luck dood.

[UseItOrLooseIt]

Thanks! Still working on fixing it