Content taken from The Complete Bike Owner’s Manual | Available now
158 / TRANSMISSION
BEFORE YOU STARTYour bike chain takes a lot of wear and tear as it is constantly twisted and put under strain. It requires oil to work smoothly, which in itself attracts grit and grime. Slipping gears may be a sign that your chain needs replacing.
1Lift the chain off the chain ring and onto the bottom bracket. Select a link on the lower length
of chain, and locate the chain in the chain tool. Wind the handle to push the pin out, and remove the chain.
3Pull the other end of the chain towards the rear derailleur so that it rests on the smallest
cog of the cassette. It is now ready to be threaded through the rear derailleur.
2Thread one end of the new chain through the front derailleur (mech) cage until it catches
on the teeth of the chainring. Turn the pedals and draw the chain downwards.
4Thread the new chain through the rear derailleur. Feed the chain downwards carefully – clockwise
over the top jockey wheel, and anti-clockwise over the bottom jockey wheel.
REMOVING AND REPLACING A BIKE CHAIN
Bicycle chains
Rear derailleur
Push tool into flat-ended pin on chain
Ensure chain is inside lip of cage arm
Twist handle to push out pin Derailleur
cage
◾ Ensure that the chain is on the smallest cog at the back andthe smallest chainring at the front to provide enough slack
◾ Place a chain wear indicator onto the chain. The indicator pins should slot into the links; if not, the chain has stretched
Push derailleur Push derailleur to rear for accessto rear for access
Secure chain in chain tool
Rotate chainring using pedal
Smallestcog
Draw chain over smallest cog
REMOVING AND REPLACING A BIKE CHAIN – BICYCLE CHAINS / 159
◾ Chain wear indicator◾ Chain tool (ensure it
is the correct size)
◾ Grease and oil◾ Needle-nose pliers◾ Chain links and pins
Workshop tip: A new chain may need to be shortened, as if it is too long, it may jump off the chainring. Chains vary in length. To find the optimum length, wrap the chain around the biggest cog at the back and the biggest front chainring at the front, and add two links.
5Bring the two ends of the chain together underneath the chainstay. Push the thin end
of the replacement pin between the two links to hold the chain together.
8The chain will feel stiff at the join. Apply oil to the link and
manipulate the chain with your hands until the link moves freely.
7Snap off the end of the pin using needle-nose pliers.
Some chain tools can also be used to shorten the chain pin.
6Slot the chain into the guide on the chain tool. Twist the handle of the tool to push the
replacement pin into the links, and securely join the lengths of chain together.
Pin
Replacement pin
Push chain into an inverted V-shape
Carefully twist chain, as stiffness in link will cause chain to
jump over cogs
Draw two chain halves together to connect the links
Many manufacturers now make special chain connectors that mean you can remove and replace your chain easily – sometimes without tools.
Hold chain still while you still while you insert pin. Grease pin to help insert pin. Grease pin to help insert pin. Grease pin to help it slot into place. it slot into place. it slot into place.
◾ The SRAM “PowerLink” has two halves with an integrated pin. Snap the link into place and apply tension to secure it. The link can be released manually.
◾ Shimano chains feature a hardened connecting pin with a flared end for extra strength.
◾ Campagnolo’s Ultralink comes with a chain segment so several links can be replaced at once.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
CHAIN LINKS
Needle-nose pliers
Chain tool
Chain link
BEFORE YOU START
◾◾ Chain wear indicator◾◾ Chain tool (ensure it
is the correct size)
◾◾ Grease and oil◾◾ Needle-nose pliers◾◾ Chain links and pins
Workshop tip: A new chain may need to be shortened, as if it is too long, it may jump off the chainring. Chains vary in length. To find the optimum length, wrap the chain around the biggest cog at the back and the biggest front chainring at the front, and add two links.
Your bike chain takes a lot of wear and tear as it is constantly twisted and put under strain. It requires oil to work smoothly, which in itself attracts grit and grime. Slipping gears may be a sign that your chain needs replacing.
1Lift the chain off the chain ring and onto the bottom bracket. Select a link on the lower length
of chain, and locate the chain in the chain tool. Wind the handle to push the pin out, and remove the chain.
3Pull the other end of the chain towards the rear derailleur so that it rests on the smallest
cog of the cassette. It is now ready to be threaded through the rear derailleur.
2Thread one end of the new chain through the front derailleur (mech) cage until it catches
on the teeth of the chainring. Turn the pedals and draw the chain downwards.
4Thread the new chain through the rear derailleur. Feed the chain downwards carefully – clockwise
over the top jockey wheel, and anti-clockwise over the bottom jockey wheel.
5Bring the two ends of the chain together underneath the chainstay. Push the thin end
of the replacement pin between the two links to hold the chain together.
8The chain will feel stiff at the join. Apply oil to the link and
manipulate the chain with your hands until the link moves freely.
7Snap off the end of the pin using needle-nose pliers.
Some chain tools can also be used to shorten the chain pin.
6Slot the chain into the guide on the chain tool. Twist the handle of the tool to push the
replacement pin into the links, and securely join the lengths of chain together.
REMOVING AND REPLACING A BIKE CHAIN
Bicycle chains
Pin
Rear derailleur
Replacement pin
Push chain into an inverted V-shape
Push tool into flat-ended pin on chain
Carefully twist chain, as stiffness in link will cause chain to
jump over cogs
Ensure chain is inside lip of cage arm
Twist handle to push out pin
Draw two chain halves together to connect the links
Derailleur cage
Many manufacturers now make special chain connectors that mean you can remove and replace your chain easily – sometimes without tools.
Hold chain still while you insert pin. Grease pin to help it slot into place.
◾ Ensure that the chain is on the smallest cog at the back and the smallest chainring at the front to provide enough slack
◾ Place a chain wear indicator onto the chain. The indicator pins should slot into the links; if not, the chain has stretched
◾ The SRAM “PowerLink” has two halves with an integrated pin. Snap the link into place and apply tension to secure it. The link can be released manually.
◾ Shimano chains feature a hardened connecting pin with a flared end for extra strength.
◾ Campagnolo’s Ultralink comes with a chain segment so several links can be replaced at once.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Push derailleur to rear for access
Secure chain in chain tool
Rotate chainring using pedal
Smallest cog
Draw chain over smallest cog
CHAIN LINKS
Needle-nose pliers
Chain tool
Chain link