Silverback Derailleur Hangers — Protect Your Frame, Keep Shifting Perfectly

A derailleur hanger is one of the most important — and most overlooked — components on your bike. This small, model-specific piece of aluminium connects your rear derailleur to your frame and is deliberately designed to be the weakest link in the drivetrain system. When your bike takes a knock, the hanger bends or breaks instead of your frame or derailleur — saving you from a far more expensive repair. Pair your hanger with fresh chains and cassettes and well-maintained brake pads to keep your drivetrain running at its best.

This collection contains replacement derailleur hangers for the full range of Silverback bikes. Each hanger is model-specific, so it's important to identify your exact bike model before ordering. If you're unsure which hanger fits your bike, check your frame's model name and year, or contact us and we'll help you find the right one. Browse our full range of bike components and MTB parts and accessories for everything else your bike needs.

Why Derailleur Hangers Break — and Why That's a Good Thing

Derailleur hangers are engineered to be sacrificial. They are made from a softer aluminium alloy than your frame, so when your bike falls over, gets hit by a rock, or the derailleur is struck during a crash, the hanger absorbs the impact and deforms — protecting the frame dropout and the derailleur body from damage. A bent or broken hanger is a sign the system worked exactly as intended. This is especially important on high-value bikes like our e-bikes and mountain bikes, where frame and drivetrain repairs can be costly.

Signs You Need a New Derailleur Hanger

Shifting has become inconsistent — gears that won't index correctly despite a fresh cable and limit screw adjustment are often caused by a bent hanger
The derailleur looks visually misaligned — it should sit parallel to the cassette; if it angles inward or outward, the hanger is bent
After a crash or tip-over — always inspect the hanger after any impact, even minor ones
The hanger is visibly cracked or broken — replace immediately; riding with a cracked hanger risks the derailleur being pulled into the wheel

How to Find the Right Hanger for Your Silverback

Every Silverback frame uses a specific hanger designed to match its dropout geometry. Using the wrong hanger can result in poor shifting, derailleur misalignment, or a hanger that doesn't fit at all. To find the correct hanger:

Check your bike's model name and model year (usually found on the downtube or in your original documentation)
Browse the hangers in this collection — each product listing includes the compatible Silverback models
If you're still unsure, get in touch with your frame serial number and we'll confirm the correct part

Complete Your Bike Maintenance Kit

A derailleur hanger is just one part of a well-maintained drivetrain. Keep your Silverback running smoothly with these essential components and accessories:

Bike Chains & Cassettes — replace your chain regularly to protect your cassette and chainring
Brake Pads — fresh pads are essential for safe, confident stopping on every ride
Saddles — upgrade your comfort for longer rides on trail or road
Bike Computers — track your performance and navigation on every adventure
Bike Locks — keep your Silverback secure wherever you ride
Bikepacking Gear — everything you need for multi-day trail adventures

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a derailleur hanger and what does it do?

A derailleur hanger is a small aluminium component that attaches the rear derailleur to the frame's dropout. It acts as a sacrificial part — deliberately softer than the frame — so that in the event of a crash or impact, the hanger bends or breaks instead of the frame or derailleur. This protects far more expensive components and keeps repair costs low. It's a critical spare for any mountain bike or e-bike rider.

How do I know if my derailleur hanger is bent?

The most common symptom is inconsistent or poor shifting that can't be fixed by cable tension or limit screw adjustment. You can also visually inspect the hanger: looking from behind the bike, the derailleur's jockey wheels should be perfectly parallel to the cassette. If the derailleur angles inward or outward, the hanger is bent. A derailleur alignment gauge gives a precise measurement and is the professional method for checking hanger straightness.

Can I straighten a bent derailleur hanger instead of replacing it?

In some cases, a lightly bent hanger can be carefully straightened using a derailleur alignment gauge tool. However, aluminium work-hardens when bent and re-bent, making it more brittle and prone to snapping unexpectedly. For safety and reliable shifting, replacing a bent hanger is always the better option — especially since replacement hangers are inexpensive compared to a derailleur or frame repair.

Are derailleur hangers universal or bike-specific?

Derailleur hangers are bike-specific. Every frame manufacturer uses a different dropout design, and the hanger must match the exact geometry of your frame's dropout to align the derailleur correctly. There is no universal hanger that fits all bikes. Always order the hanger listed as compatible with your specific Silverback model and year. Browse our full bike components range for other model-specific spares.

How often should I replace my derailleur hanger?

Replace your hanger immediately after any crash or impact that affects the drivetrain side of the bike, or whenever shifting becomes inconsistent and a bent hanger is suspected. It's also good practice to keep a spare hanger in your trail kit or saddle bag — a bent hanger mid-ride can end your day, but a spare takes seconds to swap and weighs almost nothing. While you're at it, check your chain wear too.

What tools do I need to replace a derailleur hanger?

Replacing a derailleur hanger is a straightforward job that requires only a hex key (Allen key) — typically 5mm — to remove the derailleur mounting bolt and the hanger fixing bolt. Remove the rear derailleur, swap the hanger, reattach the derailleur, and check alignment before riding. If the hanger was bent, a quick indexing check and possible barrel adjuster tweak will get shifting back to perfect. Find all the MTB parts and accessories you need to keep your bike trail-ready.

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