How To Size A Bike Chain Length
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ส.ค. 2014
- I show the process of sizing a bike chain to figure out the correct length. This is done by testing the chain with the gearing at both extremes (small chain ring/small cog and big chain ring/big cog).
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I am refurbishing an old Davits 81' road bike. It has a 2*5 gear setting. I removed the old chain to be clean but now I am stuck without a suitable quick link or primer pin for the somewhat wider 5-speed chain. Any ideas?
I can honestly say this is the best vid on yt about measuring a new chain. Clear and straight to the point. Keep up with the good work!
1:46 he means too long, not too short; since he's reducing chain length with the improvised tool.
Thank you very much for taking the time to explain the process fully. Its been over 50 years since I rode a bike and I just bought a new 21 speed bike. I had absolutely zero idea how to determine length for a new chain. The details you showed about where the chain should have the spacings in the different locations is key. Your lighting and camera angles are very good. Thanks again.
Great demonstration, and I really like the clever idea of using the spacer hook to test. But I think you meant to say the chain is too LONG at 2:05, not "too short"? Unless the "short" part you're referring to is the section of links that you would be cutting off?
Yeah.
Phew, that's cheered me up! I've just fitted a new derailleur and the new Shimano replacement one is slightly longer, but from your video I can see that I don't need to lengthen the chain. Thanks!
best bike guy on youtube 5 star
This video was a great tool for me. I had a situation where I changed the front and rear chain rings and cogs to a smaller size and the original chain length was different. This got me back on the road.
Clever use of the small hooked wire to hold the chain ends. Beats the frustration of holding the ends by hand. Nice, clear explanation of the process too. Well done.
that's an old old technique!
Always with the right answer RJ The Bike Guy ! Thank you !
Thanks for this! Swapping out my cassette (& rear derailleur) for a bigger one and will most likely need a new chain... was wracking my brain on tooth counts and all that and you made it super simple!
Thank you for these videos! Super awesome content! I can't stress enough how much you have helped me with bicycle maintenance!
thanks for this video! I watched a different one, before putting a $50 chain on my dad's cannondale. I used the old one as guide, didn't work right, and I'm just glad it was too long rather than too short!
I really appreciate your videos, they are extremelly helpfull for the diy bicycle maintance guys like me that dont know everything thats needed to keep your bicycle in top form but dont have the cash to pay the mechanic, thank You!
Thank you RJ, I always learn something new when I watch your videos.
I have replaced existing bicycle chains before. However today I acquired a bicycle without a chain so this video has been very informative. Many thanks.
Your explanations are simple and to the point. Thanks and keep posting more videos
thanks a lot for your videos! I have a restoration work on an old Raleigh and you help me a lot with your videos.
Another great video with easy to follow instructions.
best bike videos on youtube. i learnt a lot from you. thank you very much!
You‘re like the bike mechanic uncle I‘ve never had! 😁 Highly appreciate your work!
Great vid. I really like the hook tool for the holding the chain. Gonna make one and carry it in my bike tool bag. The chain is one of the most overlooked components on a bike until a link breaks in the middle of a ride.
Thank you for another informative video. Your explanation is perfectly clear.
You are the guy to go too, so clear and precise explanation on how to? Appreciate 👍
got the wire tool on the chain and couldn't remember the sizing process, LOL I must have learned the wire tool trick from you several years ago! when memory fails there you were! Thanks so much for all your work
Excellent. Love the 'make do' wire tool. Brilliant.
Super helpful, thankyou RJ!
You're the best RJ!
Great video this is the best way I have seen, you can test without taking links out.
Coathanger wire hook... genius! I wish I'd seen it yesterday before I split a SRAM chain too short. And SRAM apparently don't sell chain link pins like Shimano. Thanks for posting this :-)
This is the best measure chain video, other just tells to use the old chain as record.
I have a trouble as i dont have the old chain. anyway u helps a lot. thanks
Thanks, good video, very helpful!
Amazing video 🎉
Thanks for making this video!
Pretty neat, RJ. Thanks! :)
Always the guy to go to.. Thanks!
Good explanation.
great video
Thanks, I need to do this with a similar wire connector. Great Idea!
great vid, thanks.
very good video and love your informative approach thanks but just one question why no shoes lol !!!
I got number 1000! Thanks for a great video and greetings from Norway:-)
Hi, Thanks for the video.
I currently have a single speed chain ring on my old bike (with the standard cotter pin crankset). It is 44T.
I plan to install the Shiamno ultegra, model 6600, 53/39 chainring. I plan to do this without changing the free wheel. Is that possible and also will i need to change the chain?
Maybe a very basic question - but i am new to bile modifications :)
I know this video is 9 years old and JR's technique is excellent BUT it's worth stating that if you're chain is too short and you shift to big-big the chain can jam solid and you can't peddle at all. So make sure you check big-big before riding your bike.
Brilliant cheers boss. 👍
You remind me of the "woah.. what" guy from the Day One PSA video, specifically when you go into detail.
How did you manually adjust the derailleur with the chain not together. Might be silly question but I get everything you have done except the transition when moving from the small cogs to the big cogs
Thank You...
just ordered a master link and i'm gonna follow this vid to get my chain exact. hollaaa
Thanks!!
Can I use 9 speed Ultegra shifters, 9 speed cassette and 9 speed chain with a 10 speed rear Ultegra derailleur? Thanks
You are genius ❤
A good video!
Very informative. I just bought a trike from China which had zero, nada, instructions not even chinglish. LOL RJ you are quite good at show and tell. I work on things a lot but bicycles are not my normal playthings.
That little chain widget is pure genius.- one of those little 'pro' tips' that can be a real time saver. I am setting up the chain and derailleurs tomorrow. Since the trike has an adjustable boom for the crankset to seat length that will be a very useful item that I will make first thing!
There was only one thing that caught my eye immediately. That was your wedding band. As a safety point I never wear any jewelry when working on things that are either electrical or have moving parts. No ties, no long sleeve shirts nothing loose.
I realize everyone has deep personal feelings for wedding bands as a pro the risk is your choice. Rookies and part-timers should take heed when wearing anything that can catch in a moving part.
OTW Bravo!
Jim
+Jim Lyons Thanks. I've never had a problem with it catching anything like that. Watch some of my other videos where I work in bare feet or slippers. :D
Clearly you haven't seen his work socks! Steel-toed, made from Kevlar cotton. Hahaha.
Would it be the same for a MTB bicycle transmission?
Your video about how to straighten a bent chain was a great help. I've been struggling with an old Peugeot road bike. Tried almost everything to get rid of a very annoying problem with the skipping chain on two smallest cogs. Bike is ten speed and on the bigger front chainring the problem is not there, chain runs smoothly even with the pressure on pedals. Rear derailleur has Peugeot's own name on it, but possibly Simplex. I changed shorter chain with no help. The chain is running nicely, but when i put pressure on it, it starts skipping. Skips on the cogs, not trying to change gear. Cassette is changed, tried different chains. Made all the adjustments for gear changing, even checked the wire's tension. And I want to drive this bike on the road soon as possible...
Sounds like you tried a lot of the things I would have suggested.Without seeing the bike, it is hard for me to diagnose the problem. Make sure the derailleur is not bent or damaged. Simplex pulleys tended to fall apart. See this video for some ideas too: th-cam.com/video/D5HP1poRjv0/w-d-xo.html
RJ The Bike Guy Unfortunately bike is in Europe, Finland to be precise. All the gears worked fine when I adjusted them bike upside down. Still the big chainwheel works fine when driving. I had to replace the chainwheel bolts to 2mm wider bolts, so the smaller chainwheel is that much more left. Cassette is a couple mm to the right from it's original position because I added a ring between the spokes and the cassette. I don'ät know if that means anything, but could it be the chainline somehow? The chain can move just what it can move sideways and that causes the broblem?
Ari Vainio I finally opened the bottom bracket. I already changed the rear derailleur from Simplex to Altus with no help. With pressure on the crankset it is still turning little bit empty on every turn.
The bracket was really difficult to open. Opened it from the wrong side. The left crank is still attached to the axIe, it is so tight and has no threads anymore for the crankset puller. I even made the bike single speed for a while with the smallest sprocket. During that time the chain did not slip, but "only" a couple of times. With derailleurs it is skipping or turning empty on every turn.
The bottom bracket's bearing cups are quite worn out. At least from the other one. Visible wearing on the surface. Can feel it with finger, sharp edge. Some odd scratces too. And the grease was black like darkest night. So now I need a pair of bearing cups unless I can use one finnish bike's (Nopsa) set which is same model. Depends the threads...
Ari Vainio Hi! I finally solved the problem. It was too short outer-cable with the rear derailleur that caused the trouble. The cable made too deep angle and with changing the cable and replacing the outer-cover with a longer one the problem disappeared.
Yes, the rear cable housing needs to have a smooth curve and entry into the RD. Also out of the rear cable stop.
RJ, thank you for sharing your knowledge, you are an amazing teacher!
Park tool does it without running the chain through the derailer . Then adds links depending on the set up , which seems risky .
gracias señor
Ty sir
thank you sir
I need to shorten my chain! Thanks : )
Should've find this guy sooner, tried park tool methods and it's freaked
This video is much more practical compared to the Park Tool video. I mean how are you going to check the length by shifting gears when you haven't even got the chain installed yet? Thumbs up 👍
This is a proper way in demonstration how to determine a right chain length, well-done and thank you. Do you sell those chain hangers? just kidding...
Liked but can't subscribe again. Great video and cool top on the coat hanger!
Soo perfect! Thats a life hack right there. I work in a bike store in Holland and im gonna make one JOINER my self xD
Thanks for the JOINER! lol xD
Hi, thank you for your videos, I always learn a lot from them! Just wanted to ask you, at 1:50 you probably meant that the chain was too long, am I right?
Yes. You must have annotations turned off. I discovered that myself, and added a couple speech bubbles pop ups.
I have annotations turned on but do not see any annotations.
Do you have a video on how you made that tool out of a coat hanger? Thanks
Just cut it and bend it with the bends about 2" apart.
RJ, do you have a method for getting the links back together? Whenever I do this, I really have a hard time getting the pin back in and always end up with a stiff link.
Never re-use the pin. The chain will be weak at that spot and likely break at the worst possible time. They sell special replacement pins that can be pressed in. I don't like them. I prefer installing a master link. I like KMC's "Missing Link".
Great tip to create a simple tool to hold the chain together, off to the man cave now to fit the chain.
Right! Cool shit .
hello RJ i like your method seems full proof even checks derailleur capacity your video is only one ive seen that does this method i think its the best .i have a question sram say to size there chains by big big combo bypassing the derailleurs and from were the chains get pulled together and touch count over 3 rivets will this method always give me a male end of chain were i break it 3 rivets up just want to understand how the chain works RJ and not saying your method isnt superior to srams ? keep up the good work your videos are the best on youtube
+Jonathan Farrelly I am not familiar with that method.
+RJ The Bike Guy it's the same method park tool use on the TH-cam video the easy and hard way to size a bike chain .
How do you make the chain missing link ready? Push out the pin on the open side? Last time I failed with the shimano pin (pushing it too far) and had to use a missing link. I have a missing link at the ready but it does not fit into the open side, and even if it did then it would not have a inner bit on that side.
Yes just push the rivet out of the open sided link. The arms fall off but the inner barrel does not. Join the two closed sides with the missing link.
I failed with the Shimano pin thing again. I broke it and it fell out.
Both ends of the chains need to be the inner links. It sounds like you might be trying to install it into the outer links. I install missing links in a bunch of my videos. Like in this one around 7:20: th-cam.com/video/vgczpUJ_Jjk/w-d-xo.html
Thanks. That is what I did.
Here is the direct link to that part of the video.
th-cam.com/video/vgczpUJ_Jjk/w-d-xo.htmlm20s
But I wish I could use the Shimano pins too since I find that missing links can break open (perhaps I installed it badly) or at least buckle (probably at about the time to change the chain admittedly). If you made a video of how to push that Shimano pin in, I would definitely watch it. It would need to be in close up though since the pin is so small. I tend to push too far through or the end bit breaks off.
Hey RJ. I have a rather unique issue and can't find any help with it so I was hoping maybe you could. I have a 9-speed 118 link chain that I need to replace. I bought the bike brand new and the chain on it was a KMC. I've looked everywhere for a 9-speed 118 link chain as it is time to replace my chain but to no avail. I bought two new chains and trying to put them together without two pins in impossible. I have two master links but don't know how I can make this work. I'd have no issue with a second pin but wanted to ask and see if you or any of your followers had any suggestions. Thanks!!
You can't connect the two master links directly. You will have to have some link(s) of chain between them. So you might have to shorten the one chain, and cut a bit off of the other to make up 118 links with the master links.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Wow, thank you for replying. You are the best. I bought a second chain, and a few extra pins, and then added the links I needed to one of the chains and then used the master link to fit it all together. Success and I haven't had an issue. Thank you.
Grew video. That was my 1st road bike. 1986?
+jeremy treister Close. 1985.
This method, vs 'big big +2' - any thoughts?
I haven't used that method. You would still want to check both extremes.
Is it ok to keep the extra portions of chains and connect them to make a new chain? Obviously doing this would require not pushing the rivets all the way out.
Don't reuse the pins. Push them all the way out, and replace with a master link like KMC Missing Link. Shimano sell replacement pins, but I prefer the links. And that would be a lot of links.
Too bad it's not ok to put the extra links together. I was hoping to get a free chain every once in a while.
@@johnplink With your name I too would have an interest in free chains. 🤦
@@michaelhoste_ With your name, in what do you have an interest? Providing free lodging for touring cyclists?
I'm pretty sure you meant to say the chain was too long with that initial measuring
Would you say it's acceptable to reuse a master link?
+Luciano Narno Depends on the link. Instruction for Missing Link say to replace after locking and unlocking 3 times.
+RJ The Bike Guy Lol I've unlocked it hundreds, time to get a new one
I take the old one with me bike shop
Can i use a 8 speed chain on a 9 speed cassete on a mountain bike answer as soon as you can thanx.
You asked this under another video, and I answered there.
I didnt see can you tell me again pliss I didnt find the other thanx .
TV Hy
1:48 - I think you meant to say 'too long'
But how do you cut the chain to size?
Answer here
th-cam.com/video/erL6Y6JFfnA/w-d-xo.htmlm25s
At 1:48 why are you saying the chain is too short, and then reduce the effective links with the hook? It is too long, not short.
Already noted in description a LONG time ago.
Park Tool gives three methods for sizing a chain on a derailer equipped bike. The second method they list is the easiest and is also the method given by the late Sheldon Brown.
www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/chain-length-sizing#article-section-1
sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html#chain
Phil Collins, is that you?
why some people measure big chainring and biggest cog
That is also a way but when doing that you will also have to check that with that lenght the guide pulley doesn't rub when it's on the smallest cog and smallest chainring.
thank you for the answer.
Haralabos Lukatos check this vídeo out, its short and explains very well how to size a chain that way. th-cam.com/video/ELsKrgTt0oY/w-d-xo.html
Also, check out that guy's channel if you havent, hes got some very good bike mechanics content.
At 1:47 and 2:05 you say the chain is too short but you meant that the chain is too long.
Apparently you are not seeing the annotations where I already corrected myself.
I didn't see the annotations before, even though I had them turned on, but now I see them.
If the other chain was a little too long and still in good condition why not just remove a link or two ?? Way cheaper ....
or use the old chain to size it
+mike hay old chain can be overstretched
+mike hay If you are just replacing a chain, fine. This video is for sizing a chain, like maybe you don't have the original chain, or you are making changes to the drive train Then you may need a different size chain.
good points
You said at the outset that you were using a different sized crank. But you did not show how to cut the chain to size.
It has to be said this is NOT the best way to size a chain. The extreme example shown is a gear which should never be ridden. Far better to stick with small to small and shorten the chain only enough to tension it and clear touching the rear mech. Also, the wheel axle should be in line with the 2 jockey wheels; that is directly above them. It's as simple as that.
Too long, surely
This video could have been condensed to 2.5 minutes and been just as informative and a lot less exasperating. (even 1.5 minutes)
sortedtales Maybe. And that might have been good for you. But many other people might have been lost. I try to show the process beginning to end so that people with little experience have a chance of following it.