How to Shorten a Bike Chain (Updated 2020)

With more than half of the world’s population under some form of lockdown, most of us have to find plenty of work to do. A lot of people are taking their bikes out and doing all the repairs. Some tasks are easy, such as cleaning and oiling the chain. But how to shorten the bicycle chain? Before we get into that, maybe you should take a minute to talk about why you should make sure your bike is in good working order, especially at this point. At some point, people will want to avoid public transportation. This place is usually crowded, and as we know, even if a Coronavirus vaccine is released, it will be a while before everyone takes the necessary protective measures. For some time to come, if we are to follow the predictions of experts and our common sense, it is best for us to continue to keep our distance from others. very long, it would make sense to use a bicycle. You will be able to breathe fresh air and exercise every day.

Why shorten the bicycle chain?

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All bikes have a recommended bike chain length. It is important to stick to this length if you want to ride comfortably and preserve the life of the rear wheel. It’s the bike chain that does the job of making the tires rotate so your bike can move. If the chain doesn’t fit properly, getting your bike moving properly will be a daunting task. There are a number of simple reasons you might need to resize your bike chain.

  • The first is when you buy a replacement product only to discover that it is not an exact match.
  • Another common reason to shorten a bicycle chain is that over time, as the chain ages, the links loosen and slip and you’ll never be able to ride your bike.

If you’re not a DIY person and find that the chain on your bike doesn’t fit, your first impulse might be to find a professional who can shorten it for you or get rid of the bike altogether. bike and buy a new one. Comes with everything just right. There is no need to take drastic action. As long as you have the right tools and a little time, you can shorten the bike chain yourself. . I will also look at how to shorten the chain for a mountain bike.Read more: how to get to Negril from montego bay The first thing you need to do is make sure your bike chain really needs to be shortened. The best way to do this is to take some measurements. Measure, from start to finish, 12 links. If your leash is the right length, you should get about 12 inches or just a little more. A longer chain is a sign that your chain is a bit old and the pins are worn out, which causes the chain to lengthen. You can measure 12 links and find that the length is just right but still a bit loose. You can fix this by loosening the rear tire and pulling it back an inch and then tightening it again. This should solve the problem and fix the problem So let’s assume that you measure the links and see that they are longer than normal. Here’s what you should do:

  • Get a chain tool. There are so many great ones to choose from. Some of the best tools include the Park tool mini-chain tool, Pedro’s Tutto multi-chain tool, and the Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool. When buying a chain tool, it’s best to buy a universal one, as you can use it on different types of bikes. Alternatively, you can contact your bike manufacturer and ask them to sell you chain tools for your specific brand and model of bike.
  • Once you have the chain tool, the next step is to place your bike on the rack. If you don’t have a rack, lean against a wall and make sure there’s enough room to move the tires so the chain can move easily.
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Now it’s time to clean the bike chain. I wrote a detailed post on how to clean a bike chain and why you should clean it. When you’re shortening the bike chain, it’s a good idea to clean it first so that once you’re done, the bike will be ready to lubricate and go. The post also tells you what you can use to clean your bike chain in minutes.

  • Once your chain is clean, locate the master link. You can distinguish it from the rest because it is usually darker in color. It can also be covered with a sheet that has several pins protruding from it.
  • Some chains do not have a primary link. Test all your laps. If you don’t find a link that is darker than the rest or covered by a plate, that means you need to use a chain breaker to break the chain so that some of the links can be removed.
  • Set master link between front and rear gears for easy access. Loosen the main link and keep it in a safe place.

You might want to see what your bike documentation has to say about the master link. Different types of master links require different deletion methods. With some, all you need to do is push the pin out, but some require removing the latch with a pair of pliers. If your bike has the latter, you will need to replace the main link as it is destroyed in the process.

  • Now it’s time to shorten the string. Based on the measurements you get when measuring the chain, you will decide how many links you need to remove. My advice is to always remove a few links at a time and continue until you get the right length.
  • To remove a link, you would use the chain tool. Your tool comes with instructions on how to use it to remove links. Do what they say, and if you buy a quality tool, you will succeed.
  • If you’ve never done it before, you may find removing the first link a bit difficult, but once you do, the rest will become easy. Remove all links that need to go, but don’t throw them away; you may still need to reattach one or two.
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Now it’s time to reassemble the line. This step is very easy. Using the chain tool, attach the two ends of the chain to the main link and push the pin in until you hear a click. If you must replace the main link, attach it to one end of the chain, then attach the other end and push the pin into place. When done, the bike’s chain link will be shorter and your bike will be more comfortable again. *Learn how to tighten bicycle chainsHow to shorten a bicycle chain?Read more: How to tell if a Pisces guy is in love with you The steps here are the same, except that instead of using a chain tool, you’ll use a small nail, a hammer, and a pair of pliers. . You will also need a small clip to hold the leash in place.

  • You should raise your bike on a rack or against a wall. Locate the main link and delete it.
  • Take a look at a section of the link and decide how many links you want to remove. Remember, it’s better to get rid of too little than too much. Bringing them back is an extra headache.
  • Remove the chain from the main link and then hold the loose link in place with a clamp. Make sure you can reach the pin so it can be removed using a small nail and pliers.
  • To do this, place the nail on the pin and gently beat it with pliers until it comes out on the opposite side. Repeat this process until you run out of links you want to remove.
  • To reattach, place the main link on both ends of the chain and push them in with a screwdriver until you hear them snap into place.

Check your chain to make sure it fits snugly.

How to shorten mountain bike chain

MTB chains seem a bit more complicated than regular bike chains because they come with additional components. They are not; the chain shortening process on MTB is similar to what we have described here.You need to mount the bike, clean the chain and then if you have a chain tool, use it to remove the excess links. If you don’t have a chain tool, use a small nail and a pair of pliers to remove the pins from the links. Once you have the right length, make sure the leash is properly reattached. Lubricate and reinstall the chain. It’s important to note that different types of mountain bikes may require different methods for removing excess links. If you go for one made for active sports, it may come with a slightly more complicated linkage mechanism. you through a step-by-step process for simple things like how to shorten a bicycle chain.

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Important Tip – How to shorten a bicycle chain

  • Make sure you apply a high-quality lubricant to the chain before reassembling. Lubricants are the most important part of a bicycle chain, and I’ve written about the benefits and different types of lubricants here.

I have discussed how you can shorten your bike chain without a chain tool, but this is not recommended if you are a frequent cyclist. If you use your bike regularly, you’ll need to adjust your bike’s chain regularly, and having a chain tool is best if you want to get the job done quickly and efficiently. You should buy a high-quality chain tool and pack it with the rest of your cycling gear.

  • Even if your bike chain doesn’t feel slack, it may have been damaged inconspicuously and you could end up breaking when you’re out and about. I recommend checking your chain every few months if you don’t cycle every day and every few weeks if you do.
  • Make sure you lubricate the chain regularly to prevent wear and tear and ensure your bike pedals well.
  • If you have a very expensive bike, you may not want to do this type of maintenance yourself. If you’re not DIY savvy, you could damage it and void the warranty. It’s best to find a repair shop that’s experienced with your particular brand and let them do regular maintenance.

Inference

Bicycle chains can lengthen with age and use, or you can buy a chain that’s too long. With a few tools, a bike rack, and a little time, you can remove the extra links, shorten the chain, and make your bike detachable again. Learning how to tighten a bicycle chain is very important. It’s a simple process and you don’t really need to pay a third party to do it for you. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty or don’t have the time, your local bike mechanic can do it for you for a few dollars.

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Posts “How to Shorten a Bike Chain (Updated 2020)” posted by on 2021-08-20 05:00:20. Thank you for reading the article at wallx.net

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