How to Tighten Bike Chain – Step-by-Step Guide
This article will discuss how to tighten bike chain. Let’s explore!
Is your bike chain loose? Would you like to know how to fix it? This article will guide you and provide you all of the knowledge and answer your questions. Let’s get started!
How to Tighten Bike Chain?
Bicycle chains are the unsung heroes of cycling; they are responsible for transferring power from the pedals to the wheels, allowing you to go forward. If not properly inspected and maintained, chains can fail and cripple your bike, or worse, become lethal missiles.
If you’re a biker, you’ve almost certainly encountered a loose chain at some point during your journey. It could occur at any time or during a high-load period. If you’re lucky, the chain will only feel loose rather than fall off completely. It means you can keep cycling till you reach your destination, but it could also mean your bike chain needs to be tightened.
And we’ll show you how to tighten a chain on a bike step by step in this session.
Required Tools
It isn’t difficult to tighten a bike chain, but it does take time and patience. Making sure you have all of the necessary equipment before beginning work on your chain will make the job much easier.
The following are the essential tools for the entire procedure
- A Socket wrench
- Lubricant
- Rag
- A bike stand
- Gloves
- An adapter for socket wrenches
Before we get into the intricacies, it’s crucial to understand that bike chains are classified as single-gear or multiple-gear. We’ll look at each type of chain separately to see how to tighten it on a bike.
How to Tighten Bike Chain on A Single-Speed Gear Bike?
Before tightening the chain, position your bike and loosen the back axle. Now is the time to pull back on the back tire. Tighten the axle bolts one at a time to get the desired tension.
Position your Bike
The first step is to properly position your bike for a swift and painless ride.
Allow your bike to lie upside down, handlebar and saddle on the ground, wheels in the air.
Loosen the Rear Axle
With a socket wrench, carefully loosen the axle nuts that attach the rear tire to the bicycle. By rotating the axle bolt on one side of the rear wheel in an anti-clockwise motion, you may release the tire and change the tension on your chain.
Pull Back on the Rear Tire
Pulling back on the rear tire is required to increase the tension in your bike chain.
When pushing the tire away from the bottom bracket, ensure sure it is centered between the wishbones in the frame before tightening the axle bolt.
Again, do not overstretch the chain or it may break.
In any case, go slowly and cautiously during the process, and keep an eye on your chain to evaluate its tension while you’re at it.
Identifying the Correct Tension
To establish the correct chain tension, you should be able to move the chain half an inch in either direction.
Retighten the chain by drawing it back a little further on the rear tire if it moves or bends a lot.
Tightening the Rear Tire
Tighten the axle bolts one at a time when you’ve achieved the optimum chain tension, making that the back tire is properly fastened to the bike frame.
To avoid colliding with the chain or the bike frame, pay special attention to the location of the rear tire.
Testing
Check the chain after you’ve finished the process to make sure it’s still moving about half an inch in each direction.
Finally, twist the wheels to avoid colliding with the chain or the bike frame.
Related: How to Fix a Bike Chain: Simple & Easy Steps
How to Tighten Bike Chain on a Multi-Gear Bike
Chains on multi-chain bikes, like single-chain bikes, can be free.
Multi-bikes have derailleurs, and if the chain on these bikes becomes slack, the chain can easily become stuck in your foot while riding.
As a result, if your multi-bike chain loosens, we strongly advise you to dismount since the risk of your foot becoming caught in the chain is high.
Follow the instructions below to tighten the chain.
Access the Rear Tire
To get access to the rear tire and derailleur, you can either put your bike on a stand or turn it upside down and rest it on its handlebars and saddles.
Tighten the Derailleur Screw
Every multi-gear bike has a little screen at the back of the derailleur. Because the letter B is printed right next to it, it’s easy to find.
You’ll need to tighten your chain by turning the derailleur screw clockwise.
Access the Rear Wheel
Getting to the back wheel on a multi-gear bike is a multi-step process. The following will be included
- Lift the release lever to disconnect from the associated cable
- To access the rear wheel adjustment, raise the quick-release lever
- Adjusting the Rear Wheels
Once you’ve gained access to the rear wheel, slide the wheel axle backward in the rear dropouts to boost the chain tension.
Make the necessary adjustments and don’t overdo it to avoid overtightening the chain.
Check the tension on the chain once you’re done to be sure you got it right.
If the tension isn’t just correct, rinse and try again until you’re satisfied.
Ensure That Everything Is In Its Rightful Position
Check that everything is in functioning order before you get on your two wheels.
Here’s a checklist of things to look out for
- Make sure the rapid release lever is fully depressed
- Reconnect the appropriate cable
- Make sure your wheels are spinning freely and that the frame or bike chain isn’t getting in the way
- Double-check the chain tension
FAQs
What causes bike chains to loosen over time?
Chain loosening is not a symptom of a bad bicycle or chain maintenance; it can happen to anyone and in a variety of situations.
There are, however, other common causes of chain loosening, such as:
- Worn chainrings or cogs
- Loose bottom bracket and rear bearing
- Worm freewheel
- Other issues
How tight should a bike chain be?
It should be so tight that you can only move it one inch up and down.
Why does my bike chain keep falling off?
The nuts that secure your rear axle are prone to loosening, allowing the wheel to slip forward and shortening the distance between your pedals and your wheel. As a result, the chain becomes loose and prone to breaking.
Conclusion
Are you now aware of how to tighten bike chain? Every bike owner should learn how to tighten or adjust their chain. Bike chains will loosen over time, and you’ll have to re-tighten them.
