How to Remove & Replace A Bike Chain Quickly
Russell Franklin - November 5, 2022Your bike’s components will eventually wear out if you ride it a lot. After many miles, a bike chain will “stretch” and need to be replaced.
Technically, the chain is not lengthening; rather, the pins holding the links together are deteriorating, which results in the chain’s lengthening. A stretched chain accelerates wear on your bike’s cassette and chainrings, so it’s a good idea to replace your chain whenever you notice a noticeable stretch, which is roughly every 750 to 1,000 miles. A chain can be replaced for a lot less money than a cassette or chainrings.
The following information can also be used to shorten or fix an existing bike chain.
Bike Chain Parts And Tools
Chain wear tool: One end of a typical chain wear tool is inserted into the gap between two rollers, and the other end hooks over one roller (or pin) in your chain. The tool’s numbers show how worn your chain is and whether it needs to be replaced.
New chain: Chains are specific to speed. Buy a 9-speed replacement chain, for instance, if your bike has 9 speeds. Higher-end chains have anti-rust coatings or are made of stainless steel rather than ordinary steel.
Replacement Pin or Master Link: A new pin or a special link known as a master link will be included with new chains to join the two ends of the chain. Replacement pins or master links can be purchased separately if you’re repairing an existing chain; they should work with the speed and brand of your chain.
Chain tool: If you have achain with standard links, you will need a compatible chain tool that allows you to easily remove an old pin and insert a new one when breaking and reconnecting your chain.
Master link pliers: These pliers make it easier to disconnect and reconnect the master link if your chain is connected by one, which you will appreciate if you have one.
How To Check A Bike Chain
Use a chain wear tool to inspect your chain for excessive stretching. One end should be positioned over a chain roller (or pin). Either you can insert the other end into the gap between the two rollers or it will rest on top of the chain. It indicates that your chain is stretched and needs to be replaced if it drops between the rollers.
Tools for measuring chain wear have stamped-in numbers that show how worn your chain is. You should replace your chain if the reading is between 0.5 and 0.75. When the reading is 0.75 or higher, you should not only replace your chain but also check the condition of your cassette and chainrings to see if the stretched chain has put too much wear on these components.
Measuring the chain with a ruler or tape measure is another way to check for chain stretch. A brand-new chain will have 12 full links that are precisely 12 inches long (measured from pin to pin). You must replace the chain if the length of the 12 links is 12 1/8 inches or greater.
How To Remove A Bike Chain
You must disconnect the chain, also known as break the chain, in order to remove the chain from the bike. Depending on whether your chain has a master link or not, there are a few ways to accomplish this.
Change your chain to the smallest cog and chainring before starting. Better yet, take the rear wheel off the bike or unchain the front chainring. The chain’s tension can be released using either technique.
If your chain is a standard one without a master link, seat it in the chain tool so that the pins on the tool and the chain are lined up. Turn the chain tool’s handle until you can break the chain by pushing the pin out sufficiently far.
In the case of a chain with a master link, look for a link that appears significantly different from the side. You will end the chain here.
The master link has a notch on one side and a pin that fits into it. The master link pins can be forced toward one another with master link pliers, allowing you to pop the link open.
How To Replace A Bike Chain In Eight Steps
1. Remove The Old Chain
First, throw away the previous chain. If the chain has a quick link, which is a two-piece link that can be compressed to release its fastening, you can do so to break the chain.
We’re working with a Shimano chain, and just like with most other brands, you’ll need a chain tool to push one pin out and split the chain. Put the links in between the tool’s teeth and turn it until the pin comes out.
2. Clean The Cassette
Your chainrings and cassette should be cleaned and inspected right now. Verify that all of the teeth’s profiles are symmetrical. As the chain wears them down excessively, they start to resemble a shark’s tooth in profile.
No sense fitting a clean chain onto dirty cogs, so if everything appears to be in good shape, give both a good cleaning.
3. Thread The New Chain
Change to the smallest chainring and sprocket. Through the cage of the front derailleur, thread the new chain. Pull it over, through the upper jockey wheel of the derailleur, and around the rear cassette next.
It should be threaded around the lower wheel, through the cage, and then carefully through the space between the plates.
4. Work Out The Correct Length
The length of your new chain needs to be adjusted. Pull the chain’s ends together so they meet below the chainstay while it is wrapped around the smallest sprocket and chainring.
For the rear derailleur to not drag, you want to find the longest length that can be achieved while still producing some tension. You must join an internal link to an external link, keep that in mind.
5. Cut To Size
The open end should face the opposite direction, according to Shimano. Now that you’ve identified the link that needs to be severed, it’s time to reach for the chain tool once more.
Place the link you want to work on in the tool’s jaws. The pin should begin to push the link’s center as you turn the handle. To avoid damaging the tool, make sure everything is in the proper position.
6. Insert The Pin
The joining pin that was packaged with your new chain can be found by looking for the pointy end. Join the chain’s ends together by taking the ends. To hold the chain together, insert the pin while facing the bike from the drive side.
You shouldn’t need to hold it; it should stay in place. Take the chain tool in your hands once more, and turn the handle a few turns loose.
7. Push The Pin Home
The chain tool should accept the link that is held together by the pin. To drive the pin home, screw the handle down. It will get simpler to turn the handle as the pin approaches being flush with the outer plate of the link.
Work extremely slowly; you want the pin’s end to be flush with the plate’s outer edge. Take out the chain tool once it’s there.
8. All Done
Verify that the link you joined is active. Reattach the chain tool and give the pin a little push if it doesn’t and it is sticking out further than the other pins in the chain. Attempt horizontally flexing the chain to free it up if it seems to be in the proper position.
Once you’re satisfied, use the back of the tool or pliers to quickly twist the pin’s end off the back.
Determining New Bike Chain Length
A new chain will typically be too long for your drivetrain right out of the box, so you’ll need to shorten it by removing links. There are a few ways to do this.
Laying your new chain out next to your old chain will make measuring it the best and simplest option. After that, shorten your new chain to match the length of the previous one (double-check by counting the links).
The chain can also be draped over the large chainring in front and the large cog in back by passing it through the front derailleur. The chain should not yet be fed through your rear derailleur. Bringing the chain’s two ends together, tighten them. The chain should be two full links (or one inch) longer than it is at its meeting point.) of overlap (you will have an additional half link at the end where you will connect the chain).
(Note: Many full-suspension mountain bikes use a design that moves the rear axle further away from the bottom bracket as the bike cycles through its suspension; this is known as “chain growth.” When using the method described above, you must fully compress the rear suspension to account for this chain growth.)
Make sure the two remaining ends of the chain will connect to one another before removing the extra links. A chain can only be joined by connecting the outer plate of one link to the inner plate of the connecting link. Using a chain tool, remove the extra links.
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