Bicycle Maintenance: Repairing the Chain
by Brenda WilliamsIf you are the proud owner of a bicycle, chances are that there will be problems that occasionally arise. For example, how many times have you purchased a bicycle, rode it around and then suddenly, without any warning, had the chain fall off? It happens all the time and is incredibly annoying, especially if you’re in the middle of a busy intersection and are trying to cross the street. There are several different types of bikes. One-speed bikes and Three Speed bikes use 1/8 inch wide chains that use master links. There is one master link for each bike chain and they snap on and off easily. There are also two-piece master links, which can be opened by loosening the chain and then gently bending the link toward the outside so that the outer plat of the link is free to be lifted off. If you are not sure about the condition of the bike chain, DO NOT RIDE THE BIKE! You are not only putting yourself in danger, but you are also putting other motorists at risk who need to navigate around you at the last minute should something bad happen.
When you own a bicycle, it is always a good idea to check your bike(s) ever week or so for chain defects. Do this by getting on your bike and pedaling slowly and smoothly. You don’t even have to get on the bike if you don’t want to. You can simply prop the bike up and pedal the bike backwards in a slow, smooth manner while looking at the chain links as they pass a fixed point on the bicycle (such as around the smallest rear sprocket). A great way to keep your bike chain in good, working order is to lubricate it well every so often. Oiling your bike chain will prevent the chain from rusting. The last thing you want is a rusted bike chain because rusted bike chains are more apt to break or be defective while you are riding it.
If you want to preserve the life of your bicycle, make sure that you try to keep the bicycle indoors. If you live in a house, store your bike in the garage or in an external shed where your bike can be sheltered from the elements such as rain, snow, etc. If you leave your bike out in the rain, the rain will eventually cause the metal parts of the bike (i.e. chain, other parts) to rust and disintegrate faster. If you absolutely must store your bicycle outside, then make sure that you purchase a bike cover or that you can store your bicycle underneath some sort of overhead awning that shields it from the rain. For college students who sometimes don’t really have a choice; if your dorm allows it, many college students will actually bring their bicycles up and store them in their dorm rooms by hanging them on the wall or simply parking them in the room. Doing this is two-fold. First of all, it protects your bike from the rain; and secondly, it is a great method of preventing your bicycle from being stolen.