Is Your Chain Well Maintained? | Shimano Tips & Tricks | Episode 2, by UCI on YouTube. 3 min 55 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 55 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park the bike so you can spin the cranks freely, then turn the pedals backwards a few times to listen for a dry or gritty chain.
Fit the chain checker into a link and push it in. On most tools, a 0.5 percent reading means the chain is worn and a 0.75 percent reading means replace it now.
Check the whole chain, not one spot. If the tool drops in easily at the wear mark, the chain has stretched and is wearing your cassette and chainrings.
Wipe the chain with a rag and apply degreaser or soapy water while turning the cranks. Avoid harsh solvents that can damage the chain and frame.
Scrub with a brush if the chain is very dirty, then rinse and wipe dry with a clean rag until no grit remains.
Apply lube to the inside of the chain while turning the pedals slowly, one drop per link. Do not flood the chain.
Wait a minute for the lube to work in, then wipe off the excess with a rag so dirt does not stick to the outside.
Choose dry lube for dry, dusty rides and wet lube for rain and mud, and recheck wear every few hundred kilometres or after wet rides.
Tips and common mistakes
A worn chain wears out the cassette and chainrings fast, so replacing it early is cheaper than replacing the whole drivetrain.
Never use petrol or strong solvents on a chain, as they strip the factory lubricant inside the links.
Wipe excess lube off the outside of the chain, or it will collect grit and grind the links.
If the checker shows heavy wear or the chain is damaged, have a shop check the cassette and chainrings too.
Questions
How often should I check my chain for wear?
Check every few hundred kilometres, and always after riding in rain or mud. A quick check takes under a minute with a chain checker.
What does 0.5 and 0.75 mean on a chain checker?
They are wear percentages. At 0.5 percent the chain is worn and should be planned for replacement, and at 0.75 percent it should be replaced to protect the cassette and chainrings.
Should I use dry or wet lube?
Use dry lube for dry, dusty conditions and wet lube for rain and mud. Wet lube lasts longer in the wet but attracts more dirt in dry weather.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
