Repairing, maintaining, or replacing the chain on your bike that connects the front of the drivetrain (cranks, chainrings) to the back (cogs, cassette).
9
votes
7answers
5k views
What to use to clean your chain (and cogs)?
I've just tried cleaning my chain and cogs with some really hot water and washing-up liquid. I also used a toothbrush, j-cloth and a non-scratch scourer. After over an hour of some serious elbow ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
How to know when to change a chain?
A bike shop employee used a tool he said would check the wear on the chain, and said that it should be changed.
He said it took a measurement that meant the chain had expanded, but it is still hard ...
6
votes
2answers
556 views
How to maintain chains during touring?
I think requirements are reusable, simple, small-size and things-to-easily-to-carry. There are exotic answers with chain clearers and other things that do not qualify to me simple. Perhaps, the ...
14
votes
2answers
757 views
How do I lubricate my chain?
I know I should lubricate my chain regularly. I got some lube at my LBS; how should I apply it? Do I just drip some on one spot, and turn the pedals around a few times to spread it out? Drip it all ...
13
votes
8answers
4k 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
3answers
6k views
Heavier Thicker Chains and Gears for Winter due to Salt?
I have two bikes: one having gear-things outside and one with inner-hub. The gear-outside-bike has suffered a lot due to the salt during this winter, the other hilariously looks like a new one. I ...
11
votes
4answers
41k 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 ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
What type of chain lube is best for winter riding?
I've read a lot about wet vs dry chain lube and there doesn't seem a definitive answer on whether to use wet or dry chain lube in the winter. Some forums are full of people saying they only use dry ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I tell if a chain has a master link?
I need to remove the chain on my internal-hub cruiser to clean it (i.e., no rear or front deraileur), and I'd rather not remove my back wheel if I can avoid that. What do I look for to find the master ...
5
votes
8answers
4k views
Are there substitutes for chain lubricant?
With long journeys and particularly during winter I have noticed that the salt erodes the chain very quickly, even when I have lubricated the chain beforehand. When you are missing proper chain ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Problem with chain `skipping` (but not trying to shift)
I have two bicycles that suffer this problem, both pretty heavy frames (one a ladies, Hollander bike, and the other a man's commuter) - both have correctly adjusted Derailleurs which don't produce any ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
162 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 ...
4
votes
6answers
8k views
Chain slipping on newish bike
I've looked at most of the answers for related questions and they all speak about replacing parts that are old.
I just bought a new bike from a friend who rode the bike for about a month before ...
4
votes
2answers
270 views
Wiping extra Lube really important with all types of Lubes?
This question about chain maintenance during touring raised this quetion.
This tip sounds very unintuitive, of course, I know that the extra lube will attract dust (not good to chain) but I have paid ...
3
votes
4answers
406 views
Chain skipping on some gears
I have an old cruising bike with 21 gears. A few months ago I was pedalling back home when my chain broke, and I was only able to get the chain replaced this week. After having it replaced I noticed ...
3
votes
1answer
185 views
Should I use an already master-linked chain or add a masterlink to a plain chain?
Trying to find moderately-priced 9-speed chain is a pain, particularly with a master/missing link already installed. I can only find PC-971 master-linked chains from US market but shipping and ...
3
votes
1answer
228 views
Are all 9 speed chains compatible with all 9 speed systems?
My current chain is x9, but it's expensive in eBay. Can I use any 9 speed chain like on this page?
1
vote
1answer
248 views
Dismounting wheel in a fixie
I have a fixed gear bike, Rocky Mountain Boroughs Fixie (see picture).
The chain is very tight compared to any free wheel bike. So anytime the tire gets punctured (unfortunately very often) and I want ...
16
votes
7answers
2k views
How to achieve an always clean chain
My chain and cogs always look very dirty as the oil attracts dirt. It is a constant problem as you can't fully avoid stains on your trousers and hands. Also, that looks ugly and I believe it wears the ...
4
votes
7answers
2k views
How long should a well maintained chain last and what can I do to prolong its life?
I commute on a fixie. I'm using KMC Z410 chains.
Every evening if it's wet I wipe and re-lube my chain, using ProLink lube. Every weekend I remove the chain, soak it in kero, brush it with a citrus ...
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?
6
votes
2answers
1k views
What harm results from riding with a stretched chain?
Due to sheer laziness, my maintenance amounts to an annual trip to the LBS. After moving, my new LBS suggested that I replace my chain immediately, before it destroys the drive train. What they ...
11
votes
2answers
419 views
How do you evaluate and choose chain lubricants?
Terms such as wet/dry/xyz/winter/summer/autumn lubricants are not well defined. I find it very hard to determine which bottle is worth buying, spray, bottled, wax, parafin, purple, green, Y (other ...
9
votes
3answers
930 views
Why is my chain so noisy after cleaning and lubricating?
I have recently gotten into commuting to work with a road bike. Once a month or so I will degrease, clean, and lubricate the chain. I change through all the gears to distribute the lubricant and ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
Best chain lubricant for commuter/utility bikes?
What's the best chain lubricant for a bike used for riding in normal(ish) clothes, year-round?
I've been using Tri-Flow, but that tends to leave black greasy/dirty stains on pants, shoes, etc. I've ...
8
votes
1answer
803 views
Do I need to change my cassette if I can't see any wear?
I bought a new road bike with Campag Athena 11 speed in March last year. To the end of Jan it had covered 9000km.
In all that time I hadn't changed the chain because I don't have the Campag tool, and ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
Is my chain too long?
I'm in the process of setting up a new drive train. When using the smaller chainring and smallest sprocket (hence least amount of utilized chain), the chain brushes up against the bottom of the ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Are there any disadvantages to running a stainless steel bike chain?
We are currently using KMC Z51RB rust resistant chains on our bikes, a competitor has started to use stainless steel chains. Does anyone know the advantages and disadvantages of using stainless steel ...
3
votes
4answers
14k views
How tight should a fixie's chain be?
I ride an SE Lager fixed.
How tight should the chain be and what is the best way of measure it? I have a chain tug so I can be pretty accurate in dialling in the right amount of tension.
I don't ...
10
votes
1answer
507 views
How bad is cross chaining?
Accepted wisdom is that is bad and that we should never do it. However, most of us set up our bikes so that we can run any gear combination. Invariably, I'll occasionally look down and see that I'm ...
8
votes
1answer
425 views
Setting chain length
My chain broke and in a moment of silliness (I was cold wet and slightly annoyed) I threw the broken one away before thinking about measuring the new one.
Is there a guide to getting the chain ...
7
votes
2answers
5k views
if I replace chainset and chain should I replace back cassette as well?
I am replacing my chainset and chain, as its totaly worn and causing the chain to jump off when I pedal. The cassette is fairly worn too, but is not causing any problems. If I buy a new chain and ...
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 ...
6
votes
6answers
2k views
While pedaling standing up, bike crank gives in as if shifting, what is causing this?
While standing up and pedaling, the cranks give in as if shifting.
It seams like I am shifting down, but my hands are off the shifter, almost like the chain is skipping a link.
I took it to a bike ...
6
votes
7answers
1k views
How to prevent my chain from breaking?
After my chain has broken what should I know about buying and maintaining a new chain (apart from lubing it and replacing when it 'stretches')? Do you keep a spare chain, or a spare link?
I have a ...
6
votes
3answers
386 views
What am I supposed to do when my chain falls off?
It happened when I "stepped on it" (on an empty residential street). It left the chain on the road.
What tool(s) and parts should I have had with me, to fix it?
It was replaced (new) two months ago, ...
6
votes
3answers
384 views
Should a chain be replaced even if it's not stretched?
This question suggests using a tool or ruler to assess chain stretch to determine when to replace a chain. I have one such tool (Park Tool CC-3), and it tells me that my chain is not stretched even to ...
6
votes
5answers
463 views
Is it possible to put a chain on without removing the rear wheel?
I have a bike with a single chainring up front and an internal hub and a coaster brake in the rear. (For those unfamiliar with this setup, it's essentially like having a single-speed bike in that the ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
How much distance can I put on drivetrain components?
I figure the jockey wheels on my derailer will last nearly forever, but what about the rest: cassette, chainrings, and chain? How many miles, kilometers, or furlongs do they normally last?
I know ...
6
votes
2answers
164 views
What considerations are important when purchasing a new chain?
Are there any special types out there or are they pretty much all the same?
5
votes
2answers
549 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. ...
5
votes
5answers
987 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?
5
votes
2answers
203 views
Chain loses tension on straight drop out
I have single speed bicycle with a straight dropout.
The problem I'm having is that over the course of a week, the chain loses tension until eventually, if I do not re-position the back wheel again, ...
5
votes
2answers
460 views
Are lighter chains worth the cost?
I'm replacing chains on a number of bicycles, and trying to decide what chains to purchase. I'm a fan of Sram's master links, so I'm comparing the Sram PC-971 to the PC-991. The PC-991 is ...
4
votes
1answer
464 views
Why does my chain keep jumping off the front chainring on my 1x9?
My chain has a tendency to frequently jump off the front chainring. I have a 1x9 so it's not a front derailleur issue. It generally happens when I hit something like the lip of a driveway or sidewalk ...
4
votes
1answer
779 views
What would be the “definitive” formula to calculate chainstay length from sprocket size, chainring size and number of chain links?
Before I started to write this answer, I thoroughly read this question, its answers and comments:
How do I calculate the diameter of a chainring from the number of teeth?
So, my question tries to ...
4
votes
4answers
974 views
Eliminating chainslap on a 90's Stumpjumper
I have a mountain bike - a Stumpjumper hardtail frame with a Shimano drivetrain - where I'm getting a good amount of chainslap. Before I start fiddling with stuff, I'd like to understand the problem ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Chain drop under load
I have a problem. Today I was riding (flat-out) up hill, and went to shift up a gear on the rear, which caused the chain to drop off the front chain-ring (was in the big-ring, so dropped to the ...
3
votes
2answers
220 views
What kind of master link is most convenient for IGH / fixie / ss setups?
Here's a question related to this and this -- I've got a IGH bike and want to keep the drivetrain clean. I prefer to remove the chain for regular maintenance, but don't want to have to remove the ...
