How long bicycle chain

Turn the handle with force and drive out the rivet, then remove the chain. If the old chain is an acceptable length, lay it next to the new chain. Always line up outer plates with outer plates or inner plates with inner plates. This example is incorrect because we have an end with outer plates being compared to an end with inner plates. Insert the master link to get a true side by side comparison.

Take care to match them rivet by rivet noting that old chains will lengthen as they wear. The method of chain sizing depends upon the range of gearing in the system.

For bikes with rear sprockets 36 teeth and smaller, the common system is to measure using the largest rear sprocket and largest front ring as a reference. Two rivets are added to this one-inch for the place to cut the chain. First, shift the front derailleur over the largest chainring and the rear derailleur to the smallest cog.

Begin by wrapping the chain around the largest rear cog. If the new chain has one end with an outer plate, it should be routed toward the front chainring. If the chain uses a master link, install half of the master link.

This will account for the extra half inch the master link provides. With this plate installed, the rest of the process is the same for master link and connecting rivet chains. Pull the lower section of chain snug and engage it on the front chainring.

Pay special attention that the chain is fully engaged on the largest rear cog for accurate sizing. You will bypass the rear derailleur entirely for this step and extra length will be added later to account for this. Find the closest rivet where the two chain ends could be joined. You will match inner plates to outer plates in order to join the chain. The rivet closest to where the chain can be joined is the reference rivet. From the rivet we add two additional rivets. Also, avoid cross-chaining—the practice of using the small chainring and small cog in the rear, or large chainring and large cog in the rear—if you don't want to stretch out your chain.

Replacing your chain regularly can prolong the life of your drivetrain. Most mechanics agree that you should replace your chain about every 2, to 3, miles, depending on your riding style.

Many Tour De France riders wear out two or even three chains on their primary bike over the course of the three-week race. The easiest way to determine if you need a new chain is to use a chain-checker , which measures how badly your current chain has stretched.

Although a properly maintained chain can technically last nearly 8, miles, it becomes much less efficient as it wears and elongates, says Jason Smith of Colorado-based research firm Friction Facts, with two watts of lost power for every one percent of elongation. According to Smith, this increases the center-to-center distance of your chain, and this chain stretch will wear out your gears prematurely. To keep a chain in optimum shape , you need to clean it often.

Every pro and amateur wrench has their preferred method. Bikes and Gear. United States. Type keyword s to search. Methods to determine chain length Method 1: Size to old chain count links If your old chain was sized correctly, it can be used to determine the length of your new chain.

Method 2: Largest cog and largest chainring method The easiest way to determine bike chain length is the largest cog to largest chainring method. Once the old chain has been removed, shift the front derailleur to the largest chainring, and the rear to the smallest.

Wrap the new chain around th the largest chainring at the rear , making that if the chain has an outer plate, it is routed toward the front chainring. Pass the chain through the front derailleur cage and onto the largest front chainring.

If you are using a masterlink chain, install half the masterlink onto the front end of the chain to account for the extra half link the master link provides. Pull the lower section of the chain stug towards the front chainring, bypassing the derailleur altogether. Find the closest rivet where the two ends could be joined and add 2.

This is your cutting point. Method 3: Chain sizing by equation It is possible to determine chain length from a simple equation before you even take your new chain out of the box.

Share Your Story!