How to take a chain off?

Question

hi how do i take my chain of? i know you need the chain removal tool, but how do you know which to take out or is it any? also what to do if your chain snaps while out riding is there a quick fix to get home?.

Answer 1

You can just push any rivet out. Make sure that you don't remove it completely, as it is rather difficult to put them back in once that happens. Once you have pushed it most of the way out, simply bend the chain to the side to make it come out. If it breaks while riding, you will either need to put it back together shorter than it should be (which will mean that using certain gear combinations will damage the deraileur) or you can carry about three spare links around with you.

This is the tool you will need:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_tool

Answer 2

just pull it back on. if you are battling go to your nearest bike shop and they'll help you.

Answer 3

This months MBR covers it.  However, go to this site:

www.parktool.com

They have an online guide - like a Haynes manual, for bikers.

As for your, what to do if your chain snaps, carry SRAM powerlinks and a chainbreaker with you.

Luck

Answer 4

most modern bikes arent like the old one's where you had a link chain you could take off with a pair of pliers and a s***w driver. as others have said its not worth messing about trying to do it yourself as you can do more damage, take it to a bike shop.

Answer 5

Rivetting a chain is not difficult, but it does require a liitle bit of skill and care as the tool is easily broken if overloaded.

Position the chain in the tool against the body of the tool so that the pin lines up with the rivet, s***w inwards to push the rivet through the link, be careful not to fully remove the rivet if you intend to re-rivet this chain, now gently spring the links apart by bowing the chain and the chain should part, leaving the rivet captured in the plate.

To re-fit, turn the chain over so that the rivet is on the outside of the bike, (just to make it easier), bow the chain again and push together until the protuding part of the rivet inside the plate engages in the hole.

Now position the chain in the tool, having screwed the drive pin back enough to clear the rivet, s***w inwards gently, making sure that everything is in line, (this is when the drive pin gets broken if you are not careful) and driving the rivet into the chain until it just shows on the other side.

Check both sides of the chain that the rivet is cleanly engaged in the plates and not unequal either side, check that the chain moves freely where you have just re-rivetted it, if its stiff, you need to free it slightly by positioning the stiff link on the back 2 pegs on the tool and gently pushing the rivet to free the plates.

If you want to use a split link or a modern clip link, you will need to completely remove the two outer plates so that both ends of the chain are the same, the new link can then be fitted without rivetting.

Answer 6

I agree with the go to the lbs mantra. however, it is a good idea to know some basic wrenching! so whilst you're there, ask them to show you how to fix your problem. a good shop will do this. next time you have a small mechanical, you'll be able to fix it yourself. they know you'll bring them the jobs you aren't equipped to take on yourself..

Answer 7

If you want to fix a chain you will need the tool that Laim suggests.  It is required to cut a new chain to the correct length or to remove the broken link on a used chain.  To join the chain again buy yourself a joining link for the correct width of chain.  These are bought as 7-8-9 or 10 speed links depending on your gears.  When you see the joining link you will see what chain rivets you need to completely remove to fit the link.

Answer 8

I have never had an problem with this. I buy a new chain every year.  If you get a new one then they generally give you a new end link that snaps in quite easily. (You still need the tool)

I wouldn't mess around with old chains. They stretch in time and will skip. But if you take the old chain off then you can test with an old one. Generally you buy a new rear cassette with the new chain.

When you take the chain off, don't take the link out completely. Take it out enough so that the chain comes apart, but it has to stay in the chain, otherwise you can not get the link back into the hole. Besides that it is quite easy I think.