If you’ve ever lost your chain on your bike, you’re probably wondering how to put it back on the bike. First, you’ll need to take the bicycle off the floor. This is where you can prop up the rear of the bike with some materials. You can also get a helper to hold the rear wheel off the ground.
Check the video at the bottom of the page for an easy how-to tutorial!
Contents
How To Change A Bike Chain In 5 Steps
When changing a bike chain, you will need the following tools:
- Chain tool
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Bike chain lube (optional)
- Bicycle chain
- Rag / Cloth
What to do before beginning
You should take the bike for a test ride before changing the chain. Make sure that you have enough room to work in and that your front wheel can rotate freely.
There are a few steps you need to complete before beginning, including putting on the bike lube and screwing in the chain tool.
First, put on the bicycle chain lube at all of the necessary areas where your bicycle chain will be rubbing against other parts of it. This includes areas where it rubs against your bottom bracket, derailleur hanger, and rear hub.
After putting on the bike chain lube, thread in a new bike chain. When installing a new bike chain, ensure that it’s facing forward so that when you’re riding with it, gravity is pulling down and not taking up any slack in the chain.
Next, screw in one of the Phillips head screws into one of the holes on either side of your front hub (the side without a spoke). Then insert a flathead screwdriver through this hole and use it as leverage to unscrew one of the screws holding either end cap onto your front hub with an opposite hand. Then remove these caps from their respective hubs and set them aside for now.
5 Steps for changing a bike chain
Step 1: Remove the chain from the bike.
Step 2: Unscrew the old chain from the crank arm using a Phillips head screwdriver.
Step 3: Clean the chain with bike chain lube and water using a damp rag.
Step 4: Place the new chain on to the crank arm then make sure it is aligned with the crank arm grooves before tightening it down.
Step 5: Once you have tightened down the chain, replace your flathead screwdriver with a chain tool and tighten it in one spot to make sure that your bike chain is tight enough.
Important points to remember when changing your bike chain
Be careful to not over-tighten the bolts that hold the chain on. You will need them to adjust the tension of the chain. If you are replacing a broken chain, it is recommended that you first use a new one and then inspect for breakage before reusing it. When installing a new chain, be sure to align the “3” mark on one of the links with the center of its eye on the crank arm. This ensures that you are using a new chain in your bike’s transmission system.
Last Updated on April 9, 2022