Advice Needed! Wheel and chain stuck due to plastic bag!

This morning I tried to avoid a plastic grocery bag on the road, but unfortunately it blew underneath me and immediately got stuck in my rear derailleur. It immediately stopped me. When I tried to get the bag out, I wasn't very successful and i noticed that the hanger was actually stuck around two of my spokes. The wheel won't spin at all and the chain is very, very tight.

I threw the bike on the bus (the driver was one of the nicest I've met and actually helped me with the rack), and went to work. Any advice? Ever had this happen? Should I just take it to the shop?

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by on2wheels on March 4, 2009 at 5:12am
That Could be a problem, cut out all of the plastic bag and pick out any pieces. Gently try to move whatever is in your spokes out, remember that spokes give. I doubt your "hanger" is in the spokes, but your derailleur might be. Could be a serious problem in the actual hanger is bent, depending on the type of bike it may be replaceable or irreplaceable or bend back-able.

Picture would help, or model of bike
Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on March 4, 2009 at 5:31am
on2wheels said:
That Could be a problem, cut out all of the plastic bag and pick out any pieces. Gently try to move whatever is in your spokes out, remember that spokes give. I doubt your "hanger" is in the spokes, but your derailleur might be. Could be a serious problem in the actual hanger is bent, depending on the type of bike it may be replaceable or irreplaceable or bend back-able.

Picture would help, or model of bike

I tried to get as much of the bag out as possible, but it's really jammed in there and I didn't have any pliers with me at the time.

I guess it's not the hanger. Sadly, bike part names are hard for me to remember. It's the little hang-y thing that tensions the chain and it's around two of the spokes....so I guess that is the derailer. The plastic is also wrapped around the cog back there.

No picture, but it is a Jamis Aurora. Would it be possible to get everything out by taking the derailleur apart?
Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on March 4, 2009 at 5:36am
I guess you could take the deraileur apart but I woudln't unless you know how to put it back together.

have you tried taking off the wheel? or possible loosening the wheel axel? maybe that'll help get the bag out
Permalink Reply by on2wheels on March 4, 2009 at 5:48am
You could take the derailleur off, not apart. You may be able to turn and re-position it enough to get it unstuck. Just be aware of which way you took in off and where any springs or protrusions were when you started.

Would be better to have someone take a look at it, where are you located? Maybe someone is near or knows a good bike shop near.



jamimaria said:
on2wheels said:
That Could be a problem, cut out all of the plastic bag and pick out any pieces. Gently try to move whatever is in your spokes out, remember that spokes give. I doubt your "hanger" is in the spokes, but your derailleur might be. Could be a serious problem in the actual hanger is bent, depending on the type of bike it may be replaceable or irreplaceable or bend back-able.

Picture would help, or model of bike

I tried to get as much of the bag out as possible, but it's really jammed in there and I didn't have any pliers with me at the time.

I guess it's not the hanger. Sadly, bike part names are hard for me to remember. It's the little hang-y thing that tensions the chain and it's around two of the spokes....so I guess that is the derailer. The plastic is also wrapped around the cog back there.

No picture, but it is a Jamis Aurora. Would it be possible to get everything out by taking the derailleur apart?
Permalink Reply by Jan on March 4, 2009 at 6:41am
Unless you think that it would be fun to try to figure it out and do it yourself, you would be better off just taking it to a bike shop. They will know what to do as soon as they see it.
Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on March 4, 2009 at 9:59am
Okay, thanks for the advice...I ended up just taking it to a bike shop. My derailleur was actually completely broken. I also have some bent spokes. They were able to get me rolling with a single speed, which is nice. I'll take the bike to my shop tomorrow and see about getting everything replaced.

Just a note: Avoid plastic bags.

Oh and Kozy's on Erie was very helpful.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on March 4, 2009 at 11:00am
Sounds like that plastic bag was forged in hell.

jamimaria said:
Okay, thanks for the advice...I ended up just taking it to a bike shop. My derailleur was actually completely broken. I also have some bent spokes. They were able to get me rolling with a single speed, which is nice. I'll take the bike to my shop tomorrow and see about getting everything replaced.

Just a note: Avoid plastic bags.

Oh and Kozy's on Erie was very helpful.
Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on March 4, 2009 at 12:39pm
A good trick for when something gets stuck in your rear wheel or if your chain falls into your dropout (chain suck) is to lift your rear wheel and spin it backwards. This will drive your drivetrain backwards and unwind what got wound up or in the case of chain suck it'll drive your chain out.

This can seem like a magic trick when done for someone who's been struggling with this sort of thing. Abracadabra!

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