Can we talk about using a zip tie as a temporary derailleur hanger alignment gauge?

I thought it was a total joke until I checked my hanger with a zip tie taped to the frame, compared it to my Park Tool DAG-2.2, and found the measurements were within half a millimeter, saving me a $60 shop visit last month.

2 comments

2 Comments

charlesb4220h ago

Half a millimeter is shockingly close for a zip tie. How exactly did you tape it to the frame to make it stiff enough to get a good reading? I'd be worried about it flexing and giving a false measurement.

uma_mitchell839h ago

The flex isn't really the issue if you do it right. You don't just tape a loose zip tie. You cinch it down super tight on the frame so it's basically a solid pointer, then tape over it for extra security. My zip tie method got me close enough to get shifting working perfectly while I waited for the real tool to arrive. It's a solid hack for a quick check in a pinch.