Repairing, maintaining, or replacing the chain on your bike that connects the front of the drivetrain (cranks, chainrings) to the back (cogs, cassette).
2
votes
1answer
66 views
Should I remove the chain before installing new rear derailleur?
I want to put a new Sram X7 instead of killed one, should I open the chain (if I have no chain lock) or it's better to open the derailleur?
20
votes
5answers
5k views
How often should I lube my chain?
I ride less than 200 miles a week, and I'm at about the 200 mile mark on my new road bike. Most of my riding is done on the road in an urban city, so there is a lot of odd, unnatural debris. My LBS ...
3
votes
2answers
165 views
Can a 10-speed mountain bike chain be used on a 10-speed road bike?
I would like to use a Shimano Deore XT Chain CN-HG94 on my road bike. Are there any differences between roadbike chains versus mountain bike chains that prohibit this?
Sample Road Bike Chains:
Dura ...
3
votes
1answer
101 views
Formula to calculate Single Speed Chain Length from Chainring Size, Cog Size, and Chainstay Length
I've seen formulas to calculate chain length for multi-speed bikes, but I need something for single speed.
Example:
42T Chainring
17T Cog
406mm (16") Chainstay Length
The answer in this case should ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Is it ok to use a 9spd link on a 10spd chain?
I accidentally broke the master link (a.k.a reusable missing link) on my 10psd KNC x-10 chain.
Since I only had a SRAM 9spd replacement link, i used that to connect the chain.
I rode 30 Km without any ...
3
votes
5answers
257 views
Are single-speed bikes better equipped to handle cog/chain wear?
I need to decide between a single-speed and multiple-speed bike.
I usually ride multiple-speed mountain/city bikes in the highest gear anyway (around town). They're not intended for that, and doing ...
1
vote
1answer
104 views
Chain guards for front derailleurs: Metal alternative to SKS chainboard?
Can anyone recommend an aftermarket, front-derailleur-compatible chainguard (along the lines of the SKS chainboard) that's not made of plastic? Maybe something like the one on the Marin Bridgeway ...
2
votes
1answer
124 views
Are these chainrings the reason my chain skips/hops?
When I ride my bike normally, then chain skips like crazy. I know it skips in the front because I stuck some paper in the chain to see if it moved and it didn't.
Chainrings:
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Quiet and strong chain recommendation for fixed gear commuter bike
I went through a couple of chains on my fixie bike, but I was not too happy with any of them.
Basically they seemed pretty noisy when more pressure was applied where cycling.
Could you recommend one ...
-2
votes
2answers
197 views
Why does chain slip when I move my pedals?
Why does chain slip when I move my pedals? How do I fix it?
Here is a clip:
...
3
votes
4answers
150 views
Will an 1/8' chain and cogs wear slower than 3/32' chain and cogs for single speed / fixed gear setup?
Will an 1/8" chain and cogs wear slower than 3/32" chain and cogs for single speed / fixed gear setup? What about using an 1/8' chain mismatched on 3/32" chainring and cogs?
6
votes
1answer
3k views
Chain slipping off derailleur jockey (need suggestions ASAP)
Last week, I had to abandon a training ride due to my chain slipping off my rear derailleur jockey. This would only happen when shifting, and most often when either shifting chainrings or shifting ...
6
votes
5answers
219 views
I live in a place where it frequently floods. How can I keep my chain from rusting?
My poor bike's chain lasted all of three months before it gave in to the winter floods where I live. Storing it indoors is not an option, and despite my maintenance efforts, the knee-deep floods that ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
Question about chain re-attaching
I have a question about chain "closing" (not sure of the english word, but you get it, right?).
I know how to open a chain with a chain tool, and I know I must not "go too far" as to remove the rivet ...
1
vote
1answer
117 views
Shimano Ultegra chaninrings on Truvativ Elita Tandem crank
I'm attempting to replace the chainrings on my Cannondale Road tandem. The crankset is a Truvativ Elita Tandem (52-39 10 speed big/middle ring). The new rings are Shimano 6603 52-39 rings.
I swapped ...
8
votes
3answers
369 views
What cleaner and oil should I use on my bike chain
Hope everyone is well. I need to clean and oil my chain as its getting a little clunky when I’m changing gears. I have no idea what I should be cleaning it with and then what I should oil with. Any ...
13
votes
8answers
5k views
How can I clean sand off my bike chain?
Recently went for a ride in the forest, there were sections of sand and I can clearly see sand on my bike chain now.
How can I clean this off effectively? There are chain cleaning "machines", but ...
4
votes
1answer
116 views
What to do about a stuck chain link on 10 speed chain
I put a new chain on my bike and after 3 rides or so, I developed a stiff link. I'm not sure what caused the issue, but now it barely bends at the pin at all, unless forced. It causes skipping ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Is a 7 speed chainring compatible with an 8, 9 or 10 speed cassette and chain?
Currently I have a 7 speed cassette (13-23) running with a spacer on a new Tiagra hub. After I changed my chain, the wear has made two of the gears unusable.
I am considering changing the cassette to ...
1
vote
2answers
157 views
10-speed chain too short, can I add links?
I purchased a new KMC DX10SC 10-speed 114 link chain to replace my worn out chain. I'm running a mountain triple and it seems that The chain is slightly too short at it's full length. I can't get in ...
3
votes
2answers
131 views
Cold weather chain lube?
My Rock N Roll Gold bike lube seems to get solid or gelatenous when stored on my unheated, but enclosed porch at colder temperatures. Is a chain lubricated with this product still going to be ...
1
vote
2answers
181 views
New Chain causing skipping on cassette - will this work itself out or is it unsafe?
I just installed a new chain on my 2002 Trek 2200 Road Bike. The old chain was a Shimano 9 speed that I installed 18 months and about 5000 miles ago. It had stretched modestly and was full of winter ...
4
votes
1answer
181 views
Can I flip my worn chain to extend it's life?
Assuming my chain is showing that it's worn and getting close to needing replacement due to chain 'stretch'. I know you can flip single speed chainrings to extend their life when they become worn. Can ...
20
votes
2answers
2k views
Does the chain direction make a difference?
Recently, I helped a friend install a new chain on her road bike, and for the first time read the instructions for installing one. It seems to claim that there's a forward direction, and that it ...
3
votes
4answers
500 views
Replacing Crankset. Do I need to replace chain? Then do I need to replace cassette?
Over the past year, my road bike's crankset has gotten pretty bent up and out of wack. Not due to abuse, just wear and tear I guess. It's pretty bent and has a nice wobble that I can see as I look ...
5
votes
2answers
553 views
Upgrade Shimano from 9- to 10- speed
I'm thinking of upgrading the 9-speed Tiagra rear mech on one of my (road) bikes to something, still Shimano, but 10-speed.
The obvious replacements I'll need are cassette, right-shifter and chain. ...
4
votes
3answers
167 views
Shorten or replace bicycle chain?
The chain on my internally geared hub bicycle is now too long even when the rear wheel is entirely pulled back. How do I tell whether it's sufficient to shorten the chain by removing some links, or if ...
6
votes
3answers
293 views
Apart from the size, is there any difference between chains for derailleurs or for single-speed / internally geared hubs?
I might need to replace my bicycle chain (see this question). The store where I've bought components before (cyclecomponents.com) seems to be entirely marketed to derailleurs, and I have an internally ...
2
votes
4answers
163 views
Chain replaced but bottom jockey wheel “jumps”?
I have a 10speed MTB and replace the chain using a powerlink. Now the bottom pulley wheel makes like a jumping kind of movement. It is not smooth. Also when in my small ring in front I get chain ...
3
votes
1answer
133 views
Checking fixie for damage
This morning during my morning commute I had an unintended lesson in fixie skidding: I dropped the chain, it got stuck between the cog and the hub and locked the wheel. I'm not sure where that skill ...
4
votes
2answers
178 views
My chain appears to be squeaking when I ride it forward but not backwards
At first I thought I just needed to lubricate my chain, so I degreased it and just re-lubed it very thoroughly. It's still squeaking. I thought it could maybe be a derailleur pulley issue, but I ...
14
votes
5answers
2k views
How do I reduce slack in the chain of a single-speed bicycle?
I have a single speed bicycle that has some slack in the chain and threatens to come off. How can I reduce this slack?
9
votes
3answers
3k views
Help Me Understand My Bicycle's Gears
I've recently started commuting with a bicycle (Giant hybrid bicycle). I've been trying to learn a little about bicycling to make my commute easier and my time on the bicycle more enjoyable. Please ...
8
votes
5answers
444 views
Do I need a new chain after 1300 miles?
I have a Boardman Airpro and probably need a new chain having done about 1,300 miles with it.
The bike is used for leisure and commuting and therefore goes through all weathers. I also keep the ...
2
votes
3answers
754 views
Why is my chain riding up and skipping teeth on the freewheel?
Due to a number of reasons, I would like to keep my freewheel at all costs (It's a Sachs freewheel, the bike has all sorts of more 'vintage' components, and they're hard to come by). From reading all ...
2
votes
2answers
104 views
Had the front derailleur adjusted, now it feels like the rear is skipping
Here is the short version. I'm all for adding more once I know what that more is to help answer said question.
I work on the road. I take my Felt ZW75 ...
0
votes
2answers
115 views
Snapping master links
I have a 3x9 gearing installed and I've noticed that the chain broke, by failure of master link, twice within 25 km. Interestingly, the failure was perpendicular to the direction of motion:
What am I ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
How to Sight a Chain Line
I just finished building a single speed bike and I think my chain line might be a little off. Is there a tool or trick to sighting the chain line?
7
votes
4answers
3k views
Mysterious case: chain falling off large chainring, how to fix?
On my commuter bike I decided to rid myself of the small inner chain ring (which is almost never used) and front dérailleur (now redundant). However, I have come across an unusual problem. Whilst ...
8
votes
7answers
2k views
isn't a fixie without a full chain guard a safety hazard?
Yes, I know it would totally ruin the clean lines and the uncluttered, (well maybe just a discreet front brake), looks, but I've never seen this question asked, much less answered.
A chain guard ...
2
votes
1answer
425 views
Upgrading wheels on a vintage Peugeot Frame
OK so I have a Peugeot Galibier bike that consists of a Reynolds 301 steel frame.
A while back the original derailer gave up the ghost while riding, bending the rear-wheel spokes in the process. I ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the easiest way to fix a loose chain?
Are there adjustments that can be made instead of replacing it?
2
votes
1answer
275 views
my chain is skipping on my single speed
The chain keeps wanting to load towards the right hand side of the cog no matter how I orientate the chain. This causes painful skipping. Do the marks have anything to do with it?
I have a ...
1
vote
4answers
1k views
Can I use gear oil on my chain?
I don't have any chain oil right now, but I have some gear oil left over from working on my car. Would it be an effective chain lubricant? It's listed as 80W90, but reading the Wikipedia article ...
4
votes
1answer
148 views
How to mount SRAM snaplock?
I am trying to join PC-1 SRAM chain, it has such snaplock:
And the problem is, the distance between holes is slightly less (IMHO) than distance between the pins. Every hole on its own fits any pin, ...
11
votes
4answers
42k views
How can I tell which size chain my bike uses?
After learning how to break a chain and reattach it, and also how to add and remove a master link, I find that I can now do much more in the way of maintenance at home. I'll no longer need to bring my ...
9
votes
4answers
450 views
Minimal effort chain cleaning
One of the main reasons I eventually give up my bicycle commute in winter is that keeping my bike -mainly the drivetrain- clean despite all the rain/dirt/salt/hail/snow becomes too much of a time ...
2
votes
2answers
515 views
Which master links for 1/8 inch aka BMX chains?
It was very easy to find master links for 3/32inch (aka 9-speed chain) but I cannot find them for 1/8 inch (aka BMX chain). My chain is the Nexus CN-NX10. Cannot understand the odd observation that ...
2
votes
2answers
178 views
How to break reinforced Shimano pin?
Sorry if my technical English is a bit imprecise.
I just put on new Shimano CN-HG53 chain. I joined the ends not with regular pin, but with provided reinforced one (like one of those below).
The ...
0
votes
1answer
54 views
Can i use a thinner standard mtb chain (SRAM 971) or does the chain need to be specific (SRAM PC-1) for coaster brake single speed
Time for a replacement chain, and i have a sram 971 sitting around, don't want to spend the money on a new chain, if i can get away with using a mountain bike chain. Hopefully it won't pop off with ...
