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