how to put chain back on bike

How to Put Chain Back on Bike in 5 Simple Steps for Beginners

How to Put Chain Back on Bike – If you’re a keen cyclist, you’ll probably be no stranger to your bike chain slipping off, or gradually wearing out. For most traditional bikes, the bike chain falling off is surprisingly common.

It’s possible you already have your own methods for getting the chain back on your bike, or replacing a worn-out chain with a new one, but if your chain won’t stop slipping off you probably need to try for a more permanent fix.

Read on to find out the best way to ensure that your bike chain won’t be slipping off easily, as well as everything else you might need to know about this pesky problem cyclists face.

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The Different Types of Bike Chains

While they may all look almost identical, the materials and dimensions that make up a bike chain can vary. Most of these differences won’t affect how you should be removing or putting back on the chain- with the exception of the chain width. You need to be aware of this measurement before you pick a replacement chain.

One Speed Bike Chains

There are two types of bike chains: ‘one-speed’ chains and derailleur chains. One speed bike chains are designed for single speed bikes as well as fixed gear bikes, and they’re also referred to as ‘1/8th inch chains’. This is due to their standard width.

If your bike uses a one-speed chain and you need to replace it with a newer one, make sure the replacement is also a one-speed chain so that it’s the right width.

The one-speed bike chain is made up of an outer plate, a link pin, one link, the inner plate, and the roller. If you’re only replacing one link of your chain, you’ll need to make sure that the new link shares the same dimensions as every other link in the chain.

Use High Reflective Trouser Leg Cuff Clips to protect your trousers from getting grease on it and stuck in your bicycle chain.

how to put chain back on bike leg cuff clips

Derailleur Bike Chains

A derailleur bike chain is designed for multi-gear bicycles. Single-speed bikes have just two sprockets for where the chain should go, while multi-gear bikes feature multiple sprockets, and their sizes will differ.

Derailleur bike chains get their name from the derailleur mechanism, which is what moves the bike chain backwards and forwards when you change your speed.

The sprockets on a multi-gear bicycle tend to be quite close together. Because of this, derailleur bike chains can have varying widths. Across the board, though, they are narrower than one-speed chains.

With a multi-gear bike, it is even more important the width of the derailleur chain matches the sprockets, otherwise, it could jam or grind against your bike’s sprockets, causing permanent damage to your bicycle.

How to Put Your Bike Chain Back on Your Bike

how to put chain back on bike bicycle chain

So, your chain has slipped off your bike. Stick to the following steps to properly reinstall the chain, whether it’s a one-speed chain or a narrower derailleur chain.

If your chain seems to slip off a lot, then it’s possible you’re missing one of these crucial steps on how to put the chain back on bike, if your chain has slipped off your bike.

Stick to the following steps to properly reinstall the chain, whether it’s a one-speed chain or a narrower derailleur chain. If your chain seems to slip off a lot, then it’s possible you’re missing one of these crucial steps.

If Your Chain Slipped Off

When you’re putting your bike chain back on your bike, the first thing you want to do is:

  • Make sure the chain actually works- one of the reasons it might have slipped off is because it’s worn out and no longer fit for purpose.

It’s possible certain links in the chain have sustained damage, in which case you’ll need to replace each affected link before putting the chain back on. You may need to replace the chain altogether

  • Once you’re sure that your chain is still working, secure your bike on a bike stand. If you don’t have a bike stand you can just flip your bike over so it’s resting on its handlebars and its bike seat.
  • You’ll need to release the tension of your chain by using the bike’s rear derailleur to push the chain forward. This can be done with your left hand. Push the chain as far as you can.
  • At this point, you’ll often be able to put the chain back in the right position using your right hand. Lift the top chain and place it on the bike’s smaller chain ring. Now you can let go of the bike’s back derailleur.
  • If the bike chain is still in working order, this should have done the job, and you’ll be able to ride your bike without issue. To test the chain, raise the bike and turn its pedals to see if the chain appears to be working normally.

If Your Chain Came Off Completely or Broke

Obviously your chain slipping out of the bike’s sprockets is a little simpler to fix than when the chain is broken, or has fallen off the bike completely. If it’s broken beyond repair (and replacing specific links won’t help), you’re going to need a new chain and a replacement pin (although the pin should come with your new chain) like this Bike Chain Single-Speed with links and pin included.

how to put chain back on bike bike chain single speed
  • Remove your damaged chain from your bicycle. If the chain is split entirely then all you’ll need to do to remove it is turn the pedals until all of the chains have passed through the sprockets, at which point taking it off should be easy.

If the chain is still intact, you’ll need to use a chain tool to separate it called a Chain Breaker Link Splitter Pin

how to put chain back on bike chain breaker link splitter
  • Secure the tool’s internal groove on one of the links in the chain and turn the tool’s handle. This should push out the chain’s pin, but only push it out far enough that you can separate one link from the other. Don’t push the pin all the way out. At this point, you can turn the pedals until the chain can come free.
  • To install a new chain, thread it through the bike’s back derailleur. You can do this by threading the end of the chain that doesn’t have a pin sticking out of it around the bike’s bottom pulley, and then around the bike’s top pulley.
  • Next, thread your chain through the smallest sprocket of the rear cassette. Weave your chain through the bike’s front derailleur cage before working your chain on through the smallest of the bike’s front sprockets.
  • Line up both ends of the chain in your chain tool and turn the tool’s handle to connect the links. The pin should be sticking out the same distance on either side.

Conclusion

If your chain has slipped from the bike’s sprockets, putting it back on should be as simple as releasing the chain’s tension with the rear derailleur, lifting the top chain onto the smaller chain ring of the bike, and then letting go of the rear derailleur.

Putting a chain back on that’s separated from the bike entirely (or replacing a broken chain) is a little more involved, but following the steps laid out in this article should lead to minimal problems in the future.

How to Put Chain Back on Bike in 5 Simple Steps for Beginners