How to Put on a Bike Chain & Wheel

The chain passes behind the gears on the bike wheel

Putting a wheel and chain on a bicycle are two actions standard to any mechanical repertoire. Flat tires -- arguably the most common bicycle repair -- require the removal and replacement of the wheel. A worn chain can cause your gears to skip and should always be replaced. While the repairs seldom occur simultaneously, should you find yourself having to install both parts, begin your repair by first putting the wheel on the bicycle.

Things You'll Need

• Chain tool
• Needle nose pliers

Instructions

Wheel

1. Hold the left, non-drive side end of the skewer in place while loosening the skewer quick-release. The skewer passes through the axle of the wheel, and when loose gives the axle enough clearance to be installed in the bike frame.

2. Insert the axle of the wheel into the drop-outs. These drop-outs are notches in the frame that are designed to accommodate the ends of the wheel axle. If this is the rear wheel, be sure the cassette (the cluster of cogs on the side of the wheel) is on the right, or drive-side, of the bicycle.

3. Hold the non-drive side end of the skewer, and tighten the skewer quick-release. Tightening the quick-release secures the wheel in place.

Chain

1. Pass the outer-link end of the chain up through the rear derailleur. The chain will pass behind the lower derailleur pulley and over the front of the upper derailleur pulley before looping behind and over the cassette. The derailleur's purpose is to move the chain up and down the cassette.

2. Pull the same end (outer-link end) of the chain on through the front derailleur cage so that the chain rests on the bottom bracket shell. This shell is on the bike-side of the smallest front chain ring. Placing the chain here for now will give the chain the slack needed to connect the two ends.

3. Bring the two ends of the chain together, inserting the inner-link into the outer-link. Then, insert the narrow tip, or guide pin-end of the pin that comes with your new chain between the two links, locking the ends together.

4. Place your chain tool so that the newly combined links rest on the chain tool cradle. Turn the chain tool arm clockwise until the center rod strikes the back of the pin linking the two ends of the chain.

5. Continue turning the chain tool arm until the backside of the pin is fully inserted between the two links. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to break off the guide pin emerging from the other side of the chain.

References

• ParkTool: Chain Installation - Derailleur Bikes
• "Bicycle Maintenance & Repair for Road and Mountain Bikes;" Todd Downs; 2005