How To Replace A Bike Chain At Home Or On The Go? Easy Way

By: Luke James
Time to read: 8 min.

Replacing the bike chain is one of the common bike maintenance. Pedaling stresses and wears the chain’s pins and rollers.

As the chain wears, it does not fit perfectly over the cassette cogs and cranks chainrings. As a result, the drivetrain will wear out prematurely and the bike will shift poorly.

So , you need to replace the bike chain. Generally bike chains are replaced after 2000 miles. By replacing the bike chain:

On the road, your bike will perform well
Your ride will be faster with a new chain, and
you will be safer diving with a new chain.

In this article I’ll explore how to replace your bike chain easily. So, to know more details go through the article.

Here is a related article that might interest you on Common Bicycling Repairs You Can Master At Home.

Why Do You Need To Replace Your Bike Chain?

Chains are a consumable component of a bicycle drivetrain. You will wear out your bike’s chain as you pile on the miles. A chain’s internal parts, its rivets and rollers, wear and appear to stretch over time.

Cogs and chainrings can wear prematurely due to this wear, resulting in poor shifting, premature cog wear, and even skipping over the cogs.

When it comes to replacing a chain, knowing when to replace your cassette is much more cost-effective than replacing the cassette.

It is important to remember that if you use a chain beyond its intended wear limit, your cogs and chainrings will prematurely wear out.

Tools And Parts For Bike Chains

Chain Wear Tool:

When a chain wear tool attaches to your chain, it hooks over one roller (or pin) and inserts into the opening between the two rollers. Using the tool, you can determine how worn your chain is and whether you need to replace it.

New Chain:

It is important to know that chains are speed-specific. For example, if you have an 11-speed bike, get an 11-speed chain replacement.

In higher-end chains, stainless steel is used instead of regular steel, or special coatings delay rusting.

Replacement Pin Or Master Link:

To connect the two ends of a chain, new chains come with either a new pin or a specialized link known as a master link. A replacement pin or master link, depending on the chain speed and brand, can be purchased separately when repairing an existing chain.

Chain Tool:

To break and reconnect a chain with standard links, you will need a chain tool that allows you to easily remove the old pin and insert the new one.

Master Link Pliers:

It’s easy to disconnect and reconnect master links when you have these pliers that simplify the process.

How To Check Your Bike Chain For Replacing?

Using a chain wear tool, you can determine whether your chain has excessive stretch. Your chain’s roller (or pin) should be hooked over one end.

Alternatively, you can insert the other end between two rollers or on top of the chain. A chain that drops between the rollers is stretched, and it should be replaced.

A chain wear tool has numbers stamped into it that indicate the condition of your chain. When your chain readings are between 0.5 and 0.75, it is time to replace it.

Check your cassette and chainrings to see if the stretched chain has caused excessive wear to these parts if the reading is 0.75 or higher.

You can also measure the chain stretch with a ruler or tape measure. New chains measure exactly 12 inches long (measured from pin to pin). If the chain stretch measures more than 12 inches, it needs to be replaced.

How To Replace A Bike Chain At Home?

By Following this easy steps you can replace your bike chain easily at home.

Tools & Materials You Require

The chain breaker
Chain checker
Chain hook
Quick-link pliers
New chain

Check The Chain

Make sure the chain checker tool is inserted correctly, without any force. It’s time to replace it if it fits easily into the links and sits flat along the chain.
Chains with 11 speeds or higher fall into the .5 percent category, while chains with 10 speeds or lower fall into the .75 percent category.

Remove The Old Chain

Remove the drivetrain from your bike and place it on your work stand.
Make sure you’re on your smallest chain ring and cassette cog.
Observe how the chain threads around the rear derailleur pullies. Make sure you remember that when you replace the chain in the future.
It is also important to note how taut the chain is. It’s a good idea to take a photo for reference if this is your first time replacing your chain.
Check your chain for quick links, also called master links. If you’re not familiar with quick links, they’re different from standard links (also called side plates), as they have a notch next to one of the pins. As a result, it is easy to remove and reattach. Using quick-link pliers, squeeze both sides of the link toward each other to remove the quick link. There should be a pin on either side of the quick link when it’s detached from the chain.
If the chain does not have a quick link, remove one of the connecting rivets with a chain breaker. The chain link needs to be inserted into the slots, and then the tool’s knob needs to be lined up with the chain rivet. Turn the dial until the knob fits into the rivet hole. Turn the rivet until it pops out. Now you can remove the chain.
You should remove the rear wheel of your bike if your cassette is filthy so you can clean or replace it.

Clean The Cassette

You should clean and inspect your chainrings and cassette now.
Make sure that all the teeth have symmetrical profiles.
With excessive wear, the chain eats into them, resulting in a shark’s tooth profile. Ensure all parts are clean before fitting a chain into a cog.

Measure The Length Of The New Chain

Ensure that your drivetrain has the correct chain.
Measure the new chain against the old chain. Ensure that the side plates of each chain match up to account for the slight chain stretch.
In order to make sure the links are equal, I usually count them. You should measure for an extra link if you plan on using quick links on the chain – which will make deep cleaning and trailside repairs easier.
To remove the extra links, use the chain breaker after double-checking everything.

Install The New Chain

Put the new chain over the smallest chainring and smallest cog on your cassette. Make sure any lettering etched onto the chain faces out.
By pulling the chain across both the right and left sides of the bottom pulley, the chain is threaded into the rear derailleur.
Install the quick link or insert the connecting rivet while keeping the chain taut using a chain hook.
Place the jaws of the quick-link pliers inside the two pins of the quick link and spread them apart. They should click into place or pop into place when you push them in. Replace the quick link on the chain with a new one. A quick link is often included with a chain, but if not, you can purchase one separately.
A special connecting rivet should be included if you decide against a quick link. Make sure the rivet is flush on the outer half using the chain breaker. It is recommended that the outer rivet end be drilled the same depth as the other rivets on the chain. A chain breaker or standard pliers can be used to snap off the rivet’s protruding end.
Run the bike chain through the gears to make sure it works properly. In your small chainring and smallest cassette, there should be little to no slack.

Replacing Bike Chain On Go

Use your multitool’s chain breaker if your chain breaks mid ride. You can reconnect the chain using an existing pin if you do not have extra chain link pins.

Do not completely remove the pin (the mushroomed end gets rounded off when removed); leave it in one side plate. Before your next ride, replace the damaged chain as the connection will be weak and the chain will be shorter.

Another post that will interest you is about How To Use Bike Chain Lube To Keep Your Parts Moving Smoothly?

How To Maintain Your Bike Chain?

To maintain your bike chain in a good condition you need to follow these tips

Inspect your chain regularly

Routine inspections are the best defense against loose components. Detecting potential problems early will prevent them from becoming safety hazards. With a simple bike multitool, most pre-ride inspection adjustments can be made.

Clean Your Bike Chain Regularly

It is important to clean your bike chain after every ride in order to extend its lifespan.

Lube The Chain

To run the chain smoothly you need to lubricate your bike chain regularly. In dry weather you should use dry lube or on winter or rainy days you should use the wet chain lube.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

At this stage of the article, let’s see some FAQs that people frequently ask about Replace a Bike Chain.

How To Remove A Bike Chain Without A Master Link?

The process is slightly more difficult if your bike does not have a master link on its chain. Place the bike chain between two solid supports. Use a punch tool to remove one of the rivets from the chain. Remove the chain by hammering the rivet out and separating it. The same method can be used to shorten a new chain as well.

Do All Bike Chains Fit All Bikes?

All bike chains are not compatible with all bikes. The majority of modern bike chains are made with a half-inch pitch, but this does not mean they will fit all bikes. It is important to select a chain suitable for the bicycle being ridden in order to maximize its effectiveness.

How Do I Know What Bike Chain I Need?

Calculate the chain size corresponding to the number of gears on the rear cassette (multiply the number of chainrings at the front by the number of gears on the rear cassette).

Final Words

Having read this article, you can see that bike chain replacement is not a difficult process. You can easily replace your bike chain by following the steps above.

A bike chain generally should be changed every 2000 miles, but with proper cleaning and lubrication, your bike can last much longer.

You should check your bike chain regularly. It will help you find any problems early and fix them quickly.

Also, you have to check out my post on How To Replace Your Bike Chain? A Guide For Beginners.