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Tools needed:
Replacing a chain is a regular maintenance task. All chains eventually wear out, even if you clean and lubricate them properly. A worn chain, as well as being inefficient, will quickly wear out other drive parts and end up costing you money. To determine how much a chain has worn, either use a specialist gauge from a bike shop or measure the length of 24 links. If the length is greater than 12in (300mm), the chain is worn. New chains on derailleur gear systems are linked with a joining pin that comes with the chain. You will need a link extractor tool to make this join. The thicker chains of hub gears, BMX bikes, and some fixed-gear bikes are joined by split links. |
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Below: Parts of a split-link and a Shimano chain. CLICK HERE to shop for chain products. ![]() Replacing a derailleur chain1. Shift onto the smallest chainring and cog so that the chain is slack.
![]() 2. Thread a new chain through the jockey pulleys and around the biggest chainring and smallest cog.
![]() 3. Remove the excess links from the opposite end from the one on which there is a joining link. Leave an inner link so that the two ends can be joined together.
![]() 4. Loosen any stiff links that occur when the chain links are compressed during Step 3.
![]() Joining a split-link chain1. Join the chain by pressing the side of the split link with the pins fixed in its plate through the two inner-link ends of the chain.
![]() 2. Push the split pin into the grooves of the split-link pins. These are sticking through the outer plate that you have just fitted. The split pin’s open end should face the rear of the bike.
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