Contents
Bike Maintenance Basics
Types of Bikes
Parts of a Typical Bike
Bike Maintenance Tools
How to Check and Inflate Bike Tires
How to Fix a Flat Bike Tire
How to Maintain Bike Brakes
How to Replace Bike Brake Pads
How to Fix a Bike Chain
How to Clean a Bike Chain
How to Adjust a Rear Derailleur
How to Adjust a Bike Saddle (Seat)
How to Clean Your Bike
How to Find a Bike Mechanic
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How to Fix a Bike Chain
Bike chains can present two different problems:
- The chain is loose and sags.
- The chain falls off the chain ring as you ride.
Loose Chain
A proper bike chain is taut, almost parallel to the ground, and doesn’t sag. If the chain on your bike is sagging, it likely means that some of the links in the chain have stretched and the chain needs to be replaced. Because replacing a chain requires specialized tools, you’re best off taking your bike to a mechanic for this procedure.
If you bring a bike with a loose chain in to a mechanic, it’s also a good idea to have the mechanic inspect your gearing system to make sure the chain isn’t being worn down by a problem you’re not aware of.
Chain Falls Off the Chain Ring
Though a chain falling off the chain ring sounds more
serious than a loose chain, it’s actually easier to fix and can be done right on the road.
- Create slack by pulling downward on the chain just behind the largest gear on the chain ring. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
- Mount the chain gently back onto the teeth along the bottom of the largest chain ring gear. You should feel the chain lock snugly into place along the teeth.
- Pull up on the top portion of the chain to create enough slack to let you to slip the remainder of the chain back onto the front and top portion of the gear.
- A correctly mounted chain should look like this:
If the Chain Falls Off Regularly
If your chain falls off regularly, use the following checklist to resolve the problem. Try each step in sequence, and move on to the next step only if the current step fails to resolve the problem.
- Check the derailleurs for obstructions: Built-up dirt and grease can interfere with gear shifting. Clear the dirt with a rag dipped in citrus solvent. Use a toothbrush on tough spots.
- Adjust rear derailleur: See How to Adjust a Rear Derailleur.
- Check the chain’s fit: It should fit snugly on the teeth of the chain ring and the rear gear set. If the chain doesn’t fit snugly, it most likely needs to be replaced. Bring your bike to a bike mechanic to replace the chain.
- If the above steps fail: Bring the bike to a mechanic.
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