How to: Put the rear wheel back onto a bike

The rear wheel and the rear derailleur are the best friends of bike parts but getting them back together can be annoying and frustrating. Each bike/drivetrain type has a different little pattern you will figure out with practice but here's a demonstration on a road bike.
Remember we never want to force bike parts! Rear derailleurs are held on by a derailleur hangar with two bolts and it bends VERY easily! But even pushing a rear wheel on too hard can bend a hangar which will push your shifting out of alignment. If you get stuck or need a better visual on YOUR bike just head to your local bike shop and ask them the safest way to put that rear wheel back on easily. They do it all day so they are very good at it!
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