How to Inspect a Bicycle Chain

You might be riding a bicycle for sports, fitness or just plain fun. Your child might have just decided she wants to learn to ride a bicycle. In any event, it is important for safety reasons to inspect a bicycle chain.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Check the chain and look carefully to see that all of the links are attached to each other securely. The links should also be able to move freely. If they don't move freely, spray the links with a penetrating oil to loosen the links.

2. Inspect a bicycle chain by checking the wear on the inside of the links. The inside of the links is where the bicycle chain sprocket rides. The sprocket is the round gear with teeth cut out of it. That's what grabs the chain and makes the bicycle turn.

3. Look at the master link of the bicycle chain. The master link is what ties both ends of the bicycle chain together. The master link has two pins that protrude through each end of the chain. A plate goes over the two pins and a clip pin secures the master link together. Inspect to make sure that all of this is intact.

4. Continue to inspect your bicycle chain by looking at the tension of the chain on your bicycle. You don't want the chain to be too tight or too loose. The chain needs to have between ¾ to 1-inch play in the movement of the chain. If the chain is too tight, it puts too much pressure on the chain and it could break. If the chain is too loose, it could make a sprocket slip and this could also cause the chain to break.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[kaoticone]

on 12/29/2007 do you know how to remove the chain? are any special tools needed? and ow do I identify the master link?