Has your bike chain come off and you are wondering how to put a bike chain back on the gears? If yes, then you are not alone. Regardless of the type of bike you own, the chain will come out sooner or later. The bicycle chain can come off any time when cycling including when you are alone, far away from someone who can help you put it back. It is therefore important to learn how to put your bike chain back on your own.
Putting the bicycle chain back on is not complicated as many people think. It is a simple process that will take you a few seconds to complete if you know what you are doing. In this post, we are going to give you step-by-step tips on how to put the bike chain back on.
How To Put A Bike Chain Back On The Gears Step By Step
Step 1: Flip the bike over
The first thing to do when your bike chain gets off is to flip it over so that the bike seat and handlebars and seat face downwards (on the ground) while the derailleurs face upwards.
Step 2: Find the slippage
Once you have flipped the bike over, the next process is finding the slippage. This is important as it will help you know where exactly the chain came off. The most common problem that can be fixed easily is when the chain comes off the sprocket. When that happens, then all you need to do is slip the chain back on by rotating the wheels.
Step 3: Fix jammed chain
There is also the risk of the chain becoming jammed. When this happens, then you need to ensure that it comes loose first before fixing it. If the jam is not fixed, then you will not be able to ride your bike smoothly. If the chain is jammed between the frame and rear sprockets then you need to fix it using the quick release. Start by losing the quick release on the rear wheel then remove the wheel nut to loosen the back wheel from the chain. Pull the chai one once you have loosened the back wheel.
Open the quick release by pulling a small lever located at the center of the back wheel. Loosen the hold on the back wheel by loosening the nut on the other side of the rear wheel. Once you are done, the chain should easily come out. Please don’t forget to tighten the quick release before you get back on the road. To enhance your safety and make your ride smooth, the quick release should be completely closed but not too tight.
Step 4: Loosen the chain if your bike has a back derailleur
If your bike has a back derailleur you need to loosen the chain then thread it on the front tooth. Most bikes have derailleurs fitted with springs that help to keep the chain tight when cycling. If that is the case with your bike, gently push the arm of the back derailleur forward to make the chain lose. Use the space created to thread the other side of the chain. Release the arm of the back derailleur and make sure it is tight. They will not only prevent the chain from coming off but will also help you ride safely.
Step 5: Turn the pedal backward
If your bike does not have a derailleur, all you need to do is put your chain back on is by hooking the chain on the back sprocket then hook as much chain as you can on the bottom side of the front sprocket while gently turning the pedal backward. The chain will eventually get into place and begin running on bike gear the way it used to do.
Step 6: Inspect the chain
Once you have put the chain back on, get on the bike, and ride it at a slow speed to check if the chain remains intact. If your bike has gears, the chain may re-adjust itself to go back to the gear where the slippage first occurred. You should also change the bike’s gears to see if the chain remains intact. Also, change gears on front and back derailleurs to where it runs smoothly and quietly.
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FAQs
Q1: How do you put a chain back on a derailleur?
To put your chain back on a derailleur is easy and straightforward, you only need to follow the simple steps below:
- Flip the bike over
- Locate the slippage
- Fix jammed chain
- Loosen the chain of the back derailleur
- Turn the pedal backward
- Inspect the chain
Q2: How do you fix a slipping bike chain?
Slipped bike chain is caused by a variety of reasons including crashes, improper adjustment, stiff chain links, dirty sprockets, and much more. However, fixing this problem is simple and straightforward. All you need to do is inspect the drive chain to see if there any broken or bent pieces. If there are, flip the bike over to make the fixing easier. Gently push the back derailleur forward to get slack on the chain. Use your other hands to gently slide the chain back into position then pedal the bike backward to see if the chain remains intact.
Q3: What causes slip on a bike?
In most cases, slipping is caused when the chain stretch too much. Other causes include chain wear, broken teeth and spokes, dirty sprockets and chains, work cassette, stiff chain links, bent derailleur pulley cage, and also when the derailleur pulley is not in line with the rear wheel center of gravity where the chain is on.
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Final verdict
As discussed above, fixing a slipped bike chain is not difficult as many people think. It is a simple process that will take a few minutes to complete. Fixing this issue on your own will save valuable time and money. However, you need to know what you are doing to get the chain back on track. We advise that you follow the simple steps given above to get you to be chain back on.
Last Updated: June 2, 2022
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