How To Get A Mountain Bike Chain Off

The first step to getting a mountain bike chain off is to find the end of the chain. If you are not sure how to find the end of the chain, you can use a tool such as a wire cutter or needle-nose pliers.

Next, if there is an open link (a loop in the chain), insert one side of the wire cutter into that link and pull it through. The same thing can be done with pliers.

If there is no open link, you will need to cut off one side using either a wire cutter or pliers.

Do all chains have a master link?

Not all bikes have these links. They are most likely to be found on BMX bikes, single speed bikes or three-speed town bikes with internal gears. The more sprockets a bicycle has on its rear cassette, the narrower the chain must be and therefore the less room there is for this extra-wide master link.^[1]

Do bicycle chains have a master link?

Replacement Pin or Master Link: New chains will come with either a new pin, or a specialized link called a master link, to connect the two ends of the chain together.^[2]

Why does my chain keep jamming?

Chain suck is the likely culprit. When the chain is dirty, lacks lube, or is otherwise out of spec (i.e., worn) is combined with a small chain ring with an off-angle chain line there can be a slight delay in disengagement of the chain from the small chain ring (the small diameter exacerbates this problem further).^[3]

Can you remove a bike chain without a tool?

While a bike chain removal tool is designed specifically for this purpose, it is possible to remove the chain from your bike without any specialized tools. You will need other tools such as needle nose pliers and a hammer to remove the chain.^[4]

How do you break a chain with your hands?

With gloves on, grasp one end of the chain in each hand. The end should be near the pinky side of the palm. With the chain held in place with the finger tips, wrap the chain around the back of the hand and up the palm again over-lapping the end so it does not slip under tension. Repeat this as many times as desired.^[5]

Are mountain bike chains universal?

No. Not all makes and models of bike chains fit on all bikes. Most modern bike chains are made to the one-half inch pitch, but this dosn’t mean all chains fit all bikes. In order to be as effective as possible, a chain must be suited to the type of bicycle being ridden.^[6]

Can you use wd40 on bike chains?

Is WD-40 good for bike chains—summary. In summary, WD-40 is great for cleaning and degreasing your chain, but doesn’t work well as a lubricant. It will provide some small amount of lubrication, but nowhere near enough for your bike chain to run smoothly. It’s best to use a high-quality, bike-specific lubricant instead.^[7]

How much does it cost to get a bike chain replaced?

How much does a bike chain cost to replace? Entry level chains can start off around $15.00 with more expensive and higher performance chains ranging from $25.00 to $60.00 or more. More expensive chains increase shift quality and are generally more durable as they wear.^[8]

Why is my bike chain stiff?

The thing that causes most stiff links is compressing the sideplates too tightly together, a natural result of using a chain tool that presses in the chain pin under great force to install the chain.^[9]

What lube should I use on my bike chain?

Use a light, waterproof lube such as Boeshield T-9 Waterproof Lubricant. For wet-weather conditions, try Pedro’s Chainj. Never Use: Motor oil—it contains acids and particles of metal that can compromise a chain’s strength and cause it to wear more quickly.^[10]

How do I know if my chain link is stiff?

Find the Stiff Link You’ll know you have a stiff link if your chain skips every 3 or 4 rotations. If you have several stiff links you’ll feel it skip even more often. To find the link, shift down to your smallest rear sprocket and then run the chain backwards through the derailleur by rotating your crank.^[11]

What is MTB chain suck?

Chain Suck — when the bicycle chain fails to disengage from the teeth of a chainring (usually during a shift), sticking to the tooth (or teeth) as the chainring continues to turn, wrapping back up and around the chainring.^[12]