| The chain is the crucial element of a bicycle - if it | | | | about 20 minutes - then use a rag or stiff-bristle brush |
| breaks, you aren't going anywhere. So proper | | | | to clean off the gunk. Then, simply hose it down. Then, |
| maintenance is essential. | | | | dry it. Then, lube the chain. |
| Of all the components on your bike, the chain is the | | | | Lubrication |
| most important. No chain....no go! | | | | Wipe and lubricate your chain before every ride - it's |
| Proper chain maintenance will extend the life of your | | | | that simple. Lubrications are made from various |
| chain - although any chain should be replaced after | | | | ingredients - there are wax-based lubes and there are |
| you've put 1000 miles on it. Don't use a chain any | | | | wet lubes. It's a good idea to keep a notebook in which |
| longer that necessary - if its rusted or stretched, it's | | | | you record which lube you use and how long your |
| time to get a new chain. | | | | chain lasts. In this way you'll find out which lube works |
| A bike chain is put together from hundreds of | | | | best for your bike and your type of riding. |
| precision-machined parts, consisting of pins, plates and | | | | Chain Suck |
| rollers. If it gets full of gunk it will negatively impact your | | | | Ever experienced this? This happens when the chain |
| biking experience, and not do your cogs much good | | | | doesn't release from the bottom of the chainring and |
| either. | | | | pulls up instead - rather than running straight to the |
| The easiest way to take care of the chain is simply to | | | | lower rear derailleur. Don't blame this on the front |
| keep it lubricated. Of course - too much of anything is | | | | derailleur - it's caused by a worn chain. |
| a bad thing. You want the chain lubricated, but the | | | | Chain wear indicator |
| lubrication itself does attract grit, so you don't want to | | | | The rule of thumb is to replace a chain after you've |
| use too much of it. | | | | put a thousand miles on it, but if you don't have an |
| If you've ridden your bike through a trail full of mud, | | | | odometer on your bike and don't keep track of how |
| you'll want to clean it as soon as you return home. | | | | many miles you ride, what can you do? Simple. |
| Cleaning a chain | | | | Purchase a chain wear indicator, and use it on a |
| It's a hassle to take the chain off your bike, but you | | | | week-to-week basis. You want to replace the chain |
| can certainly do it if you want to. However, in most | | | | as soon as it "goes out of spec" because if you don't, |
| cases it works just to clean it while its still on the bike. | | | | it will wear down the cogs on the drive train and you'll |
| Simply spray degreaser (which you can get at your | | | | have to replace that as well, as the new chain you |
| local bikeshop) onto the chain, the derailleur, the cogs | | | | eventually do get probably won't fit. |
| and th echain ring. Let the degreaser do its thing for | | | | |