Fine dust entering the chain, which is already under load during movement, leads to wear of the pins (axles) connecting the links and, as a result, to the elongation of the chain. After a long service life, the chain may sag and slip over the sprocket. To prevent this from happening, the chain is shortened by removing unnecessary links.
Necessary
- - a squeeze for a bicycle chain;
- - pliers.
Instructions
Step 1
Disconnect the chain. To do this, place a squeeze on the chain link so that the squeeze rod is exactly opposite the pin. Rotate the knob to bring the stem into contact with the pin. Check their alignment.
Step 2
Rotate the knob with enough force to move the pin out of place. Press it out carefully until its end is at a distance of 0.3-0.5 mm from the inner surface of the opposite cheek (protrude slightly from it).
Step 3
Use sufficient force to remove the extractor from the chain. Use narrow jaw pliers to break the chain if necessary.
Step 4
Determine the number of links that can be removed. To do this, run the chain past the rear derailleur through the front and rear large sprockets. By placing one end of the chain on top of the other, determine the number of links that can be removed without losing the connectivity of the chain.
Step 5
Remove excess links. When removing links, use a squeeze as described above. The only difference between the operations is that in this case the pin can be pressed out completely.
Step 6
Connect the chain. When connecting the chain, place it so that the pin in the cheek points towards you. Pass one end of the chain through the rear and front derailleurs and connect the ends by inserting a narrow half link between the wide cheeks. The pin should line up with the bore of the bushing and go slightly into it due to the fact that it protrudes above the inner surface of the cheek.
Step 7
Use a pair of pliers if you need to open your cheeks slightly to do this. When the ends of the chain are in place, the protruding pin should not allow the chain to come loose. However, if it becomes necessary to keep the ends of the chain assembled, ask someone to help you.
Step 8
Press the pin into the hole. Insert the squeeze on the link to be connected so that the axis of its stem exactly coincides with the axis of the pin. Rotating the knob, press the pin into the hole. Check the symmetry of its position in relation to the link cheeks. Adjust its fit if necessary. Check the mobility of the links at the junction. If it is broken, work out the hinge with pliers.
