How To Replace A Mountain Bike Chain | Change Your Chain Like A Pro, by GMBN Tech on YouTube. 17 min 2 s.
- Video length
- 17 min 2 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Put the bike in a work stand or flip it so the drivetrain is easy to reach. Shift to the smallest chainring and smallest cassette cog to slacken the chain.
Find the joining link or pin on the old chain. Use a chain tool to push the pin out, or open the quick link with a quick link tool, and remove the chain.
Clean the chainrings, cassette and derailleur jockey wheels with a rag while the chain is off. A clean drivetrain helps the new chain run quietly.
Size the new chain. Wrap it around the largest chainring and largest cassette cog without going through the derailleur, then add two links where the ends meet.
On a full-suspension bike, compress the rear travel to check for chain growth. Make sure the sized chain still has enough slack at full compression.
Cut the new chain to length with the chain tool. Push the pin out cleanly and keep the cut end tidy so it feeds through the derailleur.
Route the chain through the rear derailleur correctly. It should pass on the correct side of the tab between the jockey wheels, then around the cassette.
Join the chain with a quick link or the supplied joining pin. Check the link is fully seated and the chain moves freely through the derailleur.
Spin the cranks and shift through the gears. Adjust the rear derailleur barrel adjuster if shifting is rough, then lube the chain and wipe off excess.
Tips and common mistakes
Always match the new chain to your bike's speed count, since a 12 speed chain will not work on an 11 speed drivetrain.
Replace a worn chain before it damages the cassette and chainrings, and check wear with a chain checker every few months.
Do not reuse a quick link more than the maker recommends, and carry a spare link on rides.
Keep fingers clear of the chain and chain tool pin when pushing pins, as the pin can snap under pressure.
Questions
How do I know when my chain needs replacing?
Use a chain wear checker. Most chains are worn out at around 0.5 to 0.75 percent stretch, and a badly worn chain will wear out your cassette too.
Can I shorten a chain that is too long?
Yes. Size it on the largest chainring and largest cog plus two links, then cut the excess with a chain tool before joining.
Do I need a special tool for a quick link?
A quick link tool makes opening and closing the link easier, but many links can be fitted and removed by hand with care.
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.
