The chain is the crucial element of a bicycle - if it breaks, you aren't going anywhere. So proper maintenance is essential.
Of all the components on your bike, the chain is the most important. No chain....no go!
Even if it is a general rule of thumb that all chains should be changed after 1,000 miles, taking good care of it and providing adequate regular maintenance will certainly increase the life of the chain. Don't use a chain any longer that necessary - if its rusted or stretched, it's time to get a new chain.
The chain is composed by many precision-machined parts which are made of pins, plates and rollers. If enough gunk gets trapped in the small mechanical components, the cogs will certainly not benefit from it, and your biking experience will surely suffer because of it.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your chain is to keep it lubricated. You certainly don't want to overdo it. One of the problems of excessive lubrication is that it attracts grit.
And if you have gone riding through mud, it is important that you clean your chain as soon as you get home.
Keeping your chain clean
Taking the chain off your bike is not easy, but it can be done. And it is also possible to clean it without removing it from the bike. All you need to do is to spray degreaser over the chain, the derailleur, the cogs and the echain ring. Let the degreaser do its thing for about 20 minutes - then use a rag or stiff-bristle brush to clean off the gunk. When you have finished, just hose it down. Your next step will be to dry it. At this point you can lube the chain.
How should you lubricate?
Wipe and lubricate your chain before every ride - it's that simple. Lubrications are made from various ingredients - there are wax-based lubes and there are wet lubes. It's a good idea to keep a notebook in which you record which lube you use and how long your chain lasts. This will help you figure out which lube is best for you.
What happens when the chain sucks?
Ever experienced this? This happens when the chain remains stuck at the bottom of the chain ring, and it doesn't lift up. This is not an indication that your front derailleur is not performing well, but rather it means that the chain is worn out.
Can you rely on anything to let you know the chain is worn out?
The average time used as a guideline to change your chain is 1,000 miles, but unless you have an odometer installed on your bike, you won't know when the 1,000 miles expire. However, you can use a chain wear indicator and check it every week. Make sure you replace the chain as soon as it gets out of synch, since if you fail to do that, the cogs will wear down, and you will spend even more money to fix them.
Of all the components on your bike, the chain is the most important. No chain....no go!
Even if it is a general rule of thumb that all chains should be changed after 1,000 miles, taking good care of it and providing adequate regular maintenance will certainly increase the life of the chain. Don't use a chain any longer that necessary - if its rusted or stretched, it's time to get a new chain.
The chain is composed by many precision-machined parts which are made of pins, plates and rollers. If enough gunk gets trapped in the small mechanical components, the cogs will certainly not benefit from it, and your biking experience will surely suffer because of it.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your chain is to keep it lubricated. You certainly don't want to overdo it. One of the problems of excessive lubrication is that it attracts grit.
And if you have gone riding through mud, it is important that you clean your chain as soon as you get home.
Keeping your chain clean
Taking the chain off your bike is not easy, but it can be done. And it is also possible to clean it without removing it from the bike. All you need to do is to spray degreaser over the chain, the derailleur, the cogs and the echain ring. Let the degreaser do its thing for about 20 minutes - then use a rag or stiff-bristle brush to clean off the gunk. When you have finished, just hose it down. Your next step will be to dry it. At this point you can lube the chain.
How should you lubricate?
Wipe and lubricate your chain before every ride - it's that simple. Lubrications are made from various ingredients - there are wax-based lubes and there are wet lubes. It's a good idea to keep a notebook in which you record which lube you use and how long your chain lasts. This will help you figure out which lube is best for you.
What happens when the chain sucks?
Ever experienced this? This happens when the chain remains stuck at the bottom of the chain ring, and it doesn't lift up. This is not an indication that your front derailleur is not performing well, but rather it means that the chain is worn out.
Can you rely on anything to let you know the chain is worn out?
The average time used as a guideline to change your chain is 1,000 miles, but unless you have an odometer installed on your bike, you won't know when the 1,000 miles expire. However, you can use a chain wear indicator and check it every week. Make sure you replace the chain as soon as it gets out of synch, since if you fail to do that, the cogs will wear down, and you will spend even more money to fix them.
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