It is an experience that almost every bike rider has endured at least one or two times – the chain coming loose while riding. It may happen randomly or during a moment of heavy load. So, the question arises – how to tighten a bike chain after losing it.
Sometimes you may get lucky, where the chain only feels loose instead of coming off entirely. It means you can continue to ride until you reach your destination, but it may be time to tighten that bike chain the next time you get a chance.
Sometime your bike frame might get bent accidentally. It is worth understanding how to repair a bent bike frame. Check out our step by step guide here.
But what is the proper method for tightening a bike chain? To help you better understand the process, here is a guide on how to safely tighten your bike chain.
Single-gear bikes have the simplest construction where the cycle consists of a single gear in the middle of the frame and a cog installed on the rear wheel. As there is no mechanism to change the gears, this type of bike is referred to as a fixed-gear bike or a fixie.
Fixie bikes are oriented towards users who want to involve in a high-intensity workout as the single gear mechanism requires a fixed level of effort. Such bikes also have the easiest method to tighten a loose bike chain. To fix the chain on a fixie, here is what you will need:
- Gloves to keep your hands free from the dirt and grease
- A rag to wipe off excess grease and clean the dirt
- Lubricant for chain, gear, and cog
- A stand to position the bike upside down
- A socket wrench
If you own a multi-gear bike, such as a mountain bike, you will need to follow a slightly different process to tighten your bike chain. When the bike chain is too loose on a bike that has a derailleur screw, it is very easy for the chain to get caught in your foot while you are riding.
Happen to notice that your bike chain is loose on a multi-gear bike. It is advisable that you get off your bike, as the risk of your foot getting caught in the chain is high. It is best to walk your bike home the rest of the way, where you will be able to tighten the chain by following these steps:
1. Access the Rear Tire
You have two options to start this process. If you have a bike stand, place the bike on the stand in a way that allows you to easily access the back tire and derailleur. Those who do not own a bike stand may flip around their bike so that it is resting on the handlebars.
2. Find the Derailleur Screw
There is a small screw on the back of the derailleur in every multi-gear bike, which should have the letter B printed right near it. If you are hoping to increase the tension on your bike chain, rotate the screw clockwise.
3. Access the Real Wheel
To properly access the rear wheel in your multi-gear bike, you will need to go through a couple of steps. The first step is to lift the release lever on your bike brakes so that you can disconnect the correlating cable. Raise up the quick-release lever, which will give you access to adjust the rear wheel.
4. Adjust the Rear Wheel
If you are hoping to increase the tension on your bike chain, slide the wheel axle backward in the rear dropouts. Perform small adjustments, as you do not want to tighten your chain too much. Make a small adjustment and lower the quick-release lever. Check your bike chain to see if you got to the ideal tension. Repeat the process with the level and rear-wheel until you are happy with the chain tension.
5. Ensure Everything is Back in Place
Before attempting to ride your bike, ensure everything is in the proper place. Make sure your quick-release lever is down, reattach the correlating cable, and ensure your rear tire is spinning correctly. It should not be rubbing against the chain or the bike frame while it spins. Double-check your chain tension to ensure that you are happy with it.
What is a Bike Chain?
The purpose of a bicycle chain is to transfer power from the pedals to the drive wheel. Without a bike chain, it is impossible to ride a bike. You could be using all the force in the world to move the pedals, but the bike would not go anywhere if the chain is broken or too loose.
Bike chains are typically made using carbon or alloy steel. Many high-end bikes have nickel-plated bike chains because those are less likely to develop rust over time.
They also look nicer, which allows bike manufacturers to justify a higher price or their bike. But for functionality, most bike chains function in the same way.
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Bike Chain Efficiency and Maintenance
Despite more advanced methods of transportation emerging since the bike chain was first introduced, it is still known for its efficiency. Bike chains can be as efficient as 98.5 percent, which is very impressive. To maintain this efficiency, it is important to properly lubricate the bike chain.
Some bike enthusiasts prefer to use liquid lubricants, as they believe it delivers the best performance. But these lubricants are also known to attract more dirt, which means the bike chain requires regular cleaning. There is also the option of using dry lubricant, which stays cleaner and evaporates almost immediately.
Any bike enthusiast will tell you that if your bike chain is dirty, you must not lubricate it before cleaning. Lubricating a dirty chain is only going to result in abrasive particles getting into the rollers of the chain, which will cause serious problems in the long run. Clean the chain, wipe it dry, and then use the lubricant.
Why Bike Chains Loosen Over Time
Even when keeping up with proper bicycle and chain maintenance, it is possible for the chain to become loose over time. It can happen in a variety of situations.
For instance, when a new chain is installed on an older bike, it needs to move over cogs, which are old. That may cause it to jump around and not move smoothly. As a result, the chain loosens while you are riding, especially when the chain and the gears experience frequent load.
There are other instances where the chain may come loose because it is simply too old. It is not functioning correctly anymore and may need replacing. But if your chain is new or relatively new, there is no cause to replace the chain or any other parts. Some tightening and you will be back to normal operations!
Chain tightening is a more common occurrence on single-speed bikes, which do not have a derailleur at the back. The derailleur is the mechanism that is used to change gears on mountain bikes and other multi-speed bikes.
When someone is attempting to go uphill on such a bike, they will typically switch gears and move to a lower gear. It will allow them to pedal faster and get up the hill. If they are riding on a flat road, they may want a higher gear so they can go at a faster speed without needing to pedal furiously.
Those who own a single-speed bike will experience chain loosening over time. It is a natural consequence of the bike mechanism, which is why it is important to learn about the process of tightening a bike chain.
How Tight Should A Bike Chain Need To Be?
A bike chain needs to be just tight enough so that it can move ½ inches in both directions. If you still experience a loose chain, even after following the procedure to tighten the bike chain, then it is possible that there is an expansion in the chain itself.
Old chain links can expand over time due to continuous load. In such a case, you can either remove a few links from the chain and then install it over the gears and cogs, or you can replace it with a new one.
Can Lubricating A Bike Chain Affect Its Tension?
Yes, lubricating a bike chain can help with maintaining favorable tension in the bike’s gear system. If regular lubrication is not occurring, then the chain can slack frequently.
The lubricated chain will offer a smooth gear-changing and pedaling operation to the rider. Additionally, it also increases the longevity of the bicycle chain.
Make sure that the chain remains rust-free for the best results. Also, only use high-quality lubricants to ensure that the chain remains in flawless condition.
Should I Tighten My Bike’s Chain Or Replace It?
The solution to this question depends on the lifespan and condition of the chain. If you have a loose chain that is old and rusty, then you can choose to replace it.
You can buy a new chain for replacing the old one at affordable prices nowadays. This will also ensure that your bike’s life is extended for a longer duration without any worries.
However, if the loose chain is not that old, there is no need to replace it with a new one. Diagnose the issue first. See, if there is a need to clean and lubricate the chain first and then tighten it over the gear system.
You might also need to remove one or two chain links if the chain has expanded beyond appropriate tension.
Our Final Take
It is important to adjust chain tension on a fixie or multi-speed bike for better control and safety while riding a bike. It is normal to experience loose bike chains whether you possess a single-speed or a multi-speed bike.
However, ignoring this issue can lead to fatal accidents while riding, especially on a long ride. By following the above steps, you will effortlessly adjust the bike chain on your single or multi-gear bicycle. It may take you a little longer to complete the process on the first try.