I got a very cheap folding bike to fit in a cab, so I can go cycling with my son. I would have gotten a more decent one, but all other options I found were pretty bad too (or incredibly expensive).
So I decided to make the best of it, and try to get some better parts on from my parts bin + a few that I bought. The part I can’t fix is the lack of derailleur hanger. I tried one of these tail hooks that adds one, but now the quick release won’t close.
The part to the right on the picture shows the part that I bought, the part to the left the screw that came with the derailleur it had (a very cheap 6 speed that bolts on, rather than use a hanger).
What do you mean that the quick release won’t close? In the picture, it looks like the overall length of the QR isn’t the issue. Is it that the channel part of the hanger is thicker than the dropout, so there is no clamping force on the dropout when tightened? One could carefully file/grind/machine the hanger so that it is slightly thinner than the dropout.
This makes sense. Yes the right hand side (where the derailleur is) moves a bit.
I’ll try the to carefully remove a bit of thickness, but I suspect it won’t be as good as the nut on the 10mm axle of the old wheel being equally tight on both sides.
One downside is that the cheap wheels that came with it have a lot of play between the axle - so they hold the position well, but wobble around, so it’s hard to get the brakes to work well. I guess you get what you pay for but options really are quite limited for folding bikes.
The QR works by clamping dropout between the axle nut and the QR surface. Your situation is that the hanger is preventing that.
Rather than grind down the hanger as some suggested try adding thickness to the dropout. Go to your friendly hardware store and get a washer that is thicker than the portion of hanger that is extended past the dropout . Then saw/file/grind a slot in the washer the width of the protruding hanger. This will allow the QR to clamp all of it together. Assuming this works, you could tack it in place with your favorite adhesive (superglue or epoxy would be my choice).
Thank you for your recommendation - this makes sense - but I’ll need a bigger axle nut - it won’t go over the hanger much. I’ve found one more option that could work - I suspect the plate could give it enough friction.
I’m starting to regret my choice here a bit (not too much though, the bike was almost outrageously cheap and just chaining tires and handlebar grips really made a difference).
but options really are quite limited for folding bikes.