Bike Chain Tightening
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Bike chains can come loose over time, and if they’re not tightened properly, they can fall off while you’re riding. This can be dangerous, so it’s important to know how tight your bike chain should be. There are a few different ways to tighten a bike chain, but the most common is to use a chain tool.
To do this, you’ll need to remove the old chain from your bike and then thread the new one through the derailleurs and around the sprockets. Once the new chain is in place, you’ll use the chain tool to push a pin through one of the links, which will hold it in place. When you’re tightening the new chain, you want to make sure that it’s tight enough that there’s no slack when you pull on it, but not so tight that it binds up when you pedal.
If it’s too loose, it could fall off; if it’s too tight, it could damage your drivetrain. The best way to check is by shifting into all of your gears and pedaling forward while standing next to your bike; if the chain rubs on any part of the frame or components, it’s too tight and needs to be loosened slightly.
The bike chain is one of the most important parts of the bike, and it is also one of the most neglected. Many people don’t even know how to properly tighten a bike chain. This can lead to all sorts of problems, such as a loose chain causing the gears to slip, or an overly tight chain leading to premature wear on the drivetrain components.
So, how tight should a bike chain be? The simple answer is: not too tight, and not too loose. The ideal tension for a bike chain is somewhere in between these two extremes.
But finding that perfect tension can be tricky, and it often depends on factors such as the type of bike you have, the type of chain you’re using, and your personal riding style. If you’re unsure about how tight to make your bike chain, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and go for a slightly looser setting. You can always tighten the chain if needed, but it’s much harder (and sometimes impossible) to fix a too-tight chain without completely removing it from the bicycle.
In general, mountain bikes tend to need tighter chains than road bikes due to the rougher terrain they’re ridden on. Similarly, BMX bikes usually require tighter chains than either road or mountain bikes because of all the stress that’s placed on them during stunts and tricks. As for what tools you’ll need to properly tighten a bike chain, all you really need is a good quality wrench that fits snugly onto the bolts that hold the rear derailleur in place (these are typically 5mm or 6mm).
Once you have your wrench handy, simply turn both bolts at the same time until the derailleur moves into position so that there’s no excessive slack in your chain when pedaling forwards with moderate pressure. Then recheck your work by applying moderate pressure backwards while pedaling – if everything feels good then give those bolts another quarter-turn each just to be safe before heading out for a ride!
What Happens If Bike Chain is Tight
If your bike chain is tight, it can cause a number of problems. The most obvious problem is that it can make pedaling difficult or even impossible. Additionally, a tight chain can put undue stress on the drivetrain components, leading to premature wear or even breakage.
In order to avoid these problems, it’s important to keep your bike chain properly lubricated and adjusted. If you notice that your chain is starting to feel tight, take the time to clean and lube it before continuing to ride. And if you’re unsure of how to adjust your chain, consult a qualified bicycle mechanic for assistance.
Credit: www.factoryminibikes.com
How Tight Should My Chain Tension Be?
There are a few things to consider when adjusting your chain tension. First, you’ll need to know the minimum and maximum tolerances for your particular bike model. Second, you’ll need to take into account any sag that’s present in your suspension system.
And third, you’ll need to be aware of how much chain slack is appropriate for the type of riding you’re doing. Assuming you have a mountain bike with front and rear suspension, here are some general guidelines: – For XC/trail riding, aim for 30-35mm of sag in both the front and rear suspension.
This will help maintain traction while pedaling and keep the bike from bottoming out on big hits. – For all-mountain/enduro riding, aim for 25-30mm of sag in both the front and rear suspension. This will give you a bit more pedal clearance while still providing plenty of traction and bottom-out protection.
– For downhill/freeride riding, aim for 20-25mm of sag in both the front and rear suspension. This will help keep your tires glued to the ground on rough terrain, but may sacrifice some pedaling efficiency. As for chain slack, there’s really no hard and fast rule.
Just make sure there’s enough slack so that the chain isn’t tensioned when either wheel is at its full travel (ie: bottomed out). Too much slack can cause the chain to fall off on big hits or bumps; too little can damage the drivetrain components over time due to excessive wear or even breakage. So err on the side of caution and adjust as needed depending on your particular setup and riding style.
How Do I Know If Chain is Too Tight?
If your chain is too tight, it can cause the drivetrain to malfunction. If the chain is too loose, it can fall off completely. There are a few ways to check if your chain is the correct tension.
The first way is to use a ruler or tape measure. Place the ruler on the bottom of the chain and pull up until the top of the chain meets the bottom edge of the ruler. The distance between these two points should be 12 inches (30 cm).
Another way to check tension is by gently lifting up on the bottom of the chain while someone else holds down on the pedals. The amount of give in the chain should be no more than an inch (2.5 cm). If either of these tests shows that your chain is too loose or too tight, you will need to adjust it accordingly.
How Tight Should the Chain Be on a Fixed Gear?
The chain on a fixed gear should be tight enough that there is no slack, but not so tight that the bike cannot be pedaled. The ideal tension for a fixed gear is around 1/8” of play at the midpoint of the bottom rung. To check your chain tension, place your hand in the middle of the bottom rung and push down.
There should be just enough give to allow you to depress the link about 1/8”. If there is more than this, then your chain is too loose and needs to be tightened.
Can a Bike Chain Be Too Loose?
The quick answer is yes, a bike chain can be too loose. If the chain is excessively loose, it can fall off the sprocket teeth and become derailed. This not only makes pedaling more difficult, but can also cause damage to the bike frame if the chain gets caught on something.
It’s important to keep your bike chain properly tensioned to avoid problems like this. You’ll know the chain is too loose if you can see gaps between the links when the chain is under tension (i.e. when you’re pedaling). Another way to check is by lifting the chain off the front sprocket with your hand – if there’s more than an inch of play, it’s too loose.
If your bike chain is too loose, you’ll need to tighten it using a wrench or pliers. First, locate the adjustment screws on either side of the rear derailleur (these will be different depending on your bike model). Then, turn both screws a quarter turn at a time until the gap between links disappears and there’s no longer any slack in the system.
Be careful not to over-tighten, as this can also cause problems (like making it difficult to shift gears).
How Tight Should My BMX Chain Be?
Conclusion
If your bike chain is too loose, it will fall off. If your bike chain is too tight, it will break. So, how tight should a bike chain be?
There are two ways to tighten a bike chain: with a chain tool or by hand. If you have a chain tool, it’s best to use that. If you don’t have a chain tool, you can still tighten the chain by hand, but it’s more difficult and there’s more of a chance of breaking the chain.
To tighten the chain with a chain tool:
1) Put the chain on the biggest ring in the front and the smallest ring in the back. This is called big-big tinging.
2) Find the master link. This is the link that holds the two ends of the chain together. 3) Push the pin out of them aster link with your chain tool or with a small screwdriver or another sharp object.
4) Take off them aster link and put on a new master link or reconnect the ol done if it’s not damaged.
5) Put the chain back on the rings and pedal to check if it’s too loose or too tight before you go for a ride!