How to Adjust a Bike Chain

Adjusting your bike chain makes the bike safer and more fun to ride-here's how!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crescent wrench
• oil

1. 
    

   The first step is to turn the bike upside down and rest it on the seat and handlebars. If the chain has fallen off the sprockets then replace the chain. You may need to go to step 2 in order to loosen the rear axle nuts enough to allow enough slack to replace the chain. Place the chain on the rear sprocket first and start the chain on the front large sprocket and then turn the pedals to move the chain onto the sprocket.

2. 
    

   Loosen the axle nuts on the rear tire using the crescent wrench. Ideally you would use the correct size wrench but a crescent wrench works well here. Only loosen the nuts enough to allow the rear tire to slightly move.

3. 
    

   Pull the rear tire rearward so that the chain is pulled tight. Pull moderately hard and make sure that the rear tire is centered in the frame (see pic. While holding the rear tire tight and centered tighten the axle nuts.

Tips & Warnings

• Now is a good time to oil the chain-bike chain lube is the best but ANYTHING is better than nothing.

[edwardvance]

on 12/9/2009 Excellent advice on tightening a bike chain. 5* and I recommend.