How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain

Series Summary

Riding a bicycle is a great recreational sport, provides a fun work out, and is a viable form of transportation in many areas where urban traffic is difficult and annoying. Bikes have become increasingly popular throughout the world because they are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and have very little impact on the global environment. For many young children, a bicycle represents that first taste of freedom, and is the primary manner in which a child will experience the world, until they are old enough to drive. Many people continue to ride their bikes into adulthood though, for the enjoyment of it and for the exercise, but whatever your reasons, biking is a great activity alone or with friends. In this free video series on bike repairs and maintenance, let a bicycle mechanic explain various ways to keep a bike running smoothly. First, he discusses how to fix a slipped bicycle chain, replace bike grips, bike brake pads and prevent rust on a bike frame. Next, he talks about adjusting bike hubs, headsets, bottom brackets and checking a bikes hanger alignment. Finally, learn how to change a bicycle tire, fix a bike spoke, change a flat and wash a bike.

Video Transcript

"Hi I'm Evan from Gregg's Cycles and I'm going to talk to you about a slipped or slipping bicycle chain. If you're having some jerking or skipping or anything like that in your chain, generally what that means is that it's worn out and needs to be replaced. One of the things that you can do is get one of these tools, a simple chain checker tool. What you do with it is you just put it right in between the links and push it down, and whatever it reads on the little dial that will tell you whether or not your chain is worn out and needs to be replaced. Or if it's still good and you're maybe having some other type of issue. So if your chain is worn out and does need to be replaced then you need to go ahead and just purchase a new chain and put it on your bike. If you are having some slipping issues with your chain one of the things that you can look for is chipped teeth on both your cassette and your chain rinks or bent teeth maybe. It could be that the chain is skipping over those bent teeth and then kind of jerking forward or if you're missing teeth there's nothing for the chain to grab onto as it comes around. So if you are having some slipping, or some sliding issues like that with the chain, definitely check that out. And that is how you would remedy a slipping chain."