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