How to Change a Bicycle Chain?

If you are one of those people who love to ride a bicycle, either for sports or as a means of transportation to get anywhere, you will surely need to know how to change a bicycle chain.

If you use this means of transport a lot, because you are a cycling fan, there will come a time when it is necessary to replace some of its parts. Regardless of whether you have taken care of it as much as possible, over time some of its elements suffer from the wear and tear of use, making it necessary to replace them.

This is the case of the chain, which, although it is made of steel, its links and rollers end up suffering wear and tear that makes it necessary to replace it.

When to change the bicycle chain

Before explaining how to change the chain of a bicycle, we are going to indicate the aspects that you must take into account to know when the time has come to make that change.

Determining when it is the right time to do so is not as simple as it may seem, although it must be taken into account that there are different tools on the market to determine the degree of wear that this element has.

However, if you experience regular chain skipping, this is a clear indication that it may be time to replace it. It is very important to bear in mind that it should not be left without making the change, since this can end up leading to an accident; and it can also cause the cassette and the dishes to be damaged.

Instructions to change the chain of a bicycle

If you want to know how to change the chain of a bicycle, you must follow the steps that we are going to give you below. To do this you will have to follow some simple tricks to apply and that will allow you to make the change. However, you should keep in mind that these steps may vary slightly depending on the bike model you have.

In any case, it is common for bicycle chains to come with a manual that indicates how the links should be removed, as well as a diagram that indicates how the chain should be placed.

With that said, it’s time to start the process:

1. Remove the old chain. In order to start with the change, logically, we will start by removing the used and damaged chain. If the chain has a quick link, it will only be necessary to press on both sides of it without touching it and make a rotating movement up and down so that the link is no longer attached; and in this way the chain will be loose for its replacement. In the event that this type of quick link is not available, a tool will have to be used so that the pin is pushed out and thus get the chain to be divided. This way you can remove it from the bike.
2. Cassette cleaning. Once you’ve removed the worn chain, it’s time to clean the chain rings and cassette. In addition to cleaning it, it is a good time to inspect that everything is in perfect condition. To do this, check that the teeth are the same and that they do not show wear. It is common that when changing the chain, users realize that the cassette also requires a change. In the event that it is correct, it will be enough for you to clean it. Remember that it is important that you do not put a clean chain on a dirty cassette. The steps for its cleaning are the following:
   1. First of all, you must remove the rear wheel from the axle and using an extractor key proceed to remove it.
   2. After separating its pieces, apply degreasing liquid and let it act.
   3. Then remove the dirt with the help of a cloth and repeat the process until it is clean. When it is, lubricate it and proceed to its assembly again.
3. Measure the new string. After cleaning the cassette, it is time to proceed to measure the new chain. To do this you must place it on the large chaining and sprocket. Then you will join both ends causing there to be a little tension. You will have to use a chain cutter, a tool that allows you to remove excess links. Alternatively, you can also measure the length of the new chain by following the old one.
4. Install the new chain. To place the new chain, you will have to thread it on the small chaining and large sprocket, since this way it will be easier to place it. Once this is done you will have to join the chain at the ends and you will hold it using a pin. With the help of the chain cutter you will introduce the union pin.
5. Final check. To finish the process, you must make sure that all the links of the chain are well fitted and that, in addition, it works smoothly and without noise.

What do you need to change the chain of a bicycle?

• new bike chain
• extractor key
• Chunk-chains.
• degreasing liquid