Quote Originally Posted by ridebikeme View Post
Very wise thoughts on replacing the hanger... you definitely have to be concerned with the material of the frame vs the hanger. If the hanger is stronger than the material of the frame, you could potentially damage the frame... which is a much bigger expense. I would generally NOT think about bending the hanger back unless I didn't have a choice ...if I had to order one or needed to get myself back home. Even though your LBS can bend it back very accurrately, it still is NOt the same strnegth that it once was. The other issue could be that the bike may have some sort of chain line problem... other than the obvious of cross chaining... you might have them check that as well.

The idea of the compact crank will definitely give you lower gearing, and might just fill that need!

Good luck!!
Two questions based on above:
1. Are you saying it is NOT a good idea to get a new hanger in a stronger material because it would be too heavy?
2. What sort of "chain line problem" ... I don't understand what this could mean?

Thanks!