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Bicycle chain repair tools JensonUSA.com

Every serious cyclist needs to know the basics of bicycle chain repair. After punctures and other tire issues, the most common problem on your bike will be caused by the chain: If your chain is too loose, too tight, rusting, or not lubricated properly, the chain can fly off the gear sprocket, or even break!

I won’t talk about routine maintenance here. For this, you can visit the article about basic bicycle maintenance. On the other hand, please note that in severe cases, when you suffer continuous chain problems, bicycle chain repair may not be sufficient, and you need to have it checked by a professional.

Bicycle Chain Common Problems

The Chain Leaves The Front Chain Ring

If the chain leaves the front chainring, first you should stop safely and move yourself and the bike out of the way.

You may have to wiggle the chain about a bit if it’s jammed somewhere. Using your fingers, engage a few teeth of the chainring with the gaps in the chain by lifting the chain over the sprocket.

Move the gear levers to the smallest gear on the chainring, then gently lift the rear tire off the ground and turn the pedals slowly to re-engage the chain completely. You will need to shift the front gear ratios lever if the chain falls off again straight away and try again until the chain remains engaged.

The Chain Leaves The Rear Sprocket

If the chain leaves the rear sprocket, first you should stop safely and move yourself and the bike out of harm’s way (the verge or a sidewalk). Lift the chain and drop it across the rear sprockets. The chain should be moving easily through the rear derailleur. Raise the rear tire slightly and slowly turn the bicycle pedals. The chain should re-engage on its own. Adjust the rear gear ratio lever if the chain doesn’t engage smoothly.

Note: If the derailleur is snarled in the spokes, don’t attempt this – you’ll need to learn how to adjust the derailleur first.

The Chain Breaks

As long as you are carrying a chain master link in your bicycle repair kit, it is not a disaster even if the chain breaks! The master link holds the two halves of the chain together. It’s not perfect, but it will get you back home. The chain master link snaps easily into place, one half on either side of the chain. You push the halves together until you hear a firm “click”. If you’re not carrying a master link you’ll need to cut the chain. Assuming you have the chain-cutting tool, then it’s just a matter of getting your hands dirty.

Place the round parts of the chain where you desire to perform the cut on the pieces of metal sticking out of the chain cutter, then simply twist the screw of the chain to start pushing the pin out of the chain link.

Do it slowly and when you are reaching the last bit of chain, start twisting the screw the other way around, to make sure the chain comes off in two pieces WITHOUT completely removing the pin. If it doesn't come apart, then twist it 1/8th of a turn again and repeat the process until the chain cuts, and the pin remains attached to the last bit of chain link. Then cut whatever part you need to cut and attach the chain links the same way you cut them, by turning the screw of the chain-cutting tool.

Keep in mind that the pin was still holding onto the chain link, so be careful not to push it sideways and make it fall off. If you pushed the pin all the way through and it fell from the chain link, then you should consider cutting the chain somewhere else. If there's no way you can do that because the chain simply won't reach the desired chain link, then be very patient because trying to put that pin back together can be a discouraging and extremely difficult (yet not impossible) task: it's better to try doing that than walking with your bike...

Once you have pushed the pin in, and the chain is attached again, make sure the pin is even on both sides of the chain, before mounting the chain back on the chainring and the sprocket.

Grab the joint that you just made and move it with your hands: it should move freely and with no effort. If it hardly moves, then you need to adjust the pin again. Try pushing the pin a little bit to one side of the chain and then try again. If it didn't work, then try pushing it the other way around and trying again - it's a matter of playing with the pin until you find a happy medium and the joint you made moves freely. If you don't do this, then the chain may jump and skip gears when the stiff joint passes through the derailleur or chainring, or even worse, jump off from the chainring or sprocket.

Last Word About Bicycle Chain Repair

"Prevention is Better Than Cure"

When it comes to bicycle chain repair, prevention is better than cure. Paying close attention to the bicycle chain during routine bicycle maintenance sessions will repay you in the long run, as you'll not need to repair it as often. Most chain problems are caused by poorly maintained bicycle chains.

Taking proper care of your bike's chain is one of the things that a responsible bike owner must do. One way of doing this is by using a chain cleaner like this Chain Cleaning Kit.

To do so you must grab a brush and chain cleaner or degreaser and start cleaning the chain out of dirt. Spray it or pour it close to the chain ring. Be careful not to spill it over the rims and disk brake rotors. Once you are done with the chain, remove the rear tire and do the same with the sprockets, again careful not to spill anything on the rims or rotors. Use a rag to cover them if necessary. Proceed to mount the tire back up and then head to this bicycle chain lube article for more information on how to lubricate a chain once you are done cleaning it.

Bicycle Chain Repair Tools on eBay

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