How to Tighten a Chain on a 10-Speed Bike

A sagging chain on a 10-speed bicycle can be dangerous to you when you are riding. It can get caught in your clothes, and it can even fall off gear altogether. Tightening up the chain is not a difficult task, and it can be taken care of on your own with the proper tools.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adjustable Wrench
• Chain Oil <WD-40 would work>

1. Loosen the back tire of the bike. This can be done using the adjustable wrench. Loosen the nuts in the center of the back wheel just enough so that the wheel will have a little bit of slack from the frame.

2. Grab the back wheel and pull it as far back on the frame as you can. Try to pull it back until the chain tightens to the desired amount.

3. Tighten the nuts in the center of the wheel. This will lock the wheel in place, and keep the chain in place.

4. Grease the chain once it is tightened back up, this will make for a smoother ride, and extend the life of the chain.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay special attention to the dérailleur (the mechanism on the side of the back tire that the chain loops through) on the back wheel when attempting to tighten the chain.
• If moving the tire does not give the desired result, you may have to buy a smaller chain, or check to see if you can make any adjustments on the dérailleur to help tighten up the chain.
• Do not tighten the chain too much, as a chain that is too tight can make it harder to pedal.

Who Can Help Sponsored

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

[erics31]

on 4/28/2009 continuatio: Get a spare chain (3/32" derailleur) at Ace Hardware ($10.25) then you can have one on the bike and one in the shop. Clean well lubed chains don't wear very quickly and prevent your expensive sprockets from wearing out if your replace your chains at 1% stretch. That's 1/8" per foot.

[erics31]

on 4/28/2009 I'd like to continue my comment but the POST A COMMENT keeps cutting off the end it's just too hard. Maybe someday the webmaster can resolve this issue ---- sorry ====eric

[erics31]

on 4/28/2009 Previous post continued: A lifetime supply of this product may be obtained at Walmart for about $8. Other suitable inexpensive lubricants are nondetergent SAE 30 motor oil ($1/qt at Dollar General, chainsaw bar oil, and motorcycle chainlube (I hate this stuff). Since clean

[erics31]

on 4/28/2009 Previous post continued: This tool is available at amazon.con for about $10. It is also need to remove the chain for cleaning. The best way to do this is by washing it in a shallow pan of kerosene and then wiping it dry with a shop towel or blowing it down with compressed air. The chain is then soaked in a bath of automobile transmission grease long enough for it to penetrate to the inside of the chain. The warmer the ambient temperature - the sooner this happens. I leave it overnight. Wipe down the chain and reinstall on bike.

[erics31]

on 4/28/2009 continued: insufficient lubricity and it evaporates too quickly for long term use. It is, however, a satisfactory cleaning agent and may be used for that purpose. The "loose" chain on a "ten speed" is adjusted by the addition or removal of links and requires the use of a chain rivet extractor.