Bicycles are well-designed machines that can make up some of our fondest memories – as kids and adults. But there is nothing worse than riding your bike down the road, feeling the wind against your face, and realizing you have an issue with your bike chain.
Of all the things that go wrong with bikes, the majority of the time it has to do with the bike chain. The good news is that many issues can be addressed while you are out on a ride. Let’s take a look at a few of these issues and how you can quickly fix your chain on a bike tour.
Common Bike Chain Issues
A few of the most common bike chain issues include:
- A slipping chain
- A jammed chain
- A broken chain
- A stiff chain
- A misaligned chain
A bike chain may also make clunking sounds that you feel or hear, as well as make it difficult to access certain gears.
While many of these chain issues sound complicated, they are often a rather easy fix that can be taken care of quickly so you can get back on your tour.
Problem: The Chain is Slipping
When your chain slips out of its position after you ride just a short distance – and continuously keeps doing so – then it is likely either too loose or it was previously poorly adjusted. You are likely to notice this issue when you are really moving at a high speed or as soon as you change from one gear to the next.
You can make your change tighter by using a wrench to loosen the nuts on the bike’s back wheel. Pull the tire back and re-tighten the bolts. Some bikes come with a screw that adjusts the chain’s tension. If that’s the case, you simply turn the screw to tighten it.
Problem: The Chain is Jammed
If you are riding along and your chain gets jammed, you aren’t going any further. The chain is a vital part of the bike so when it is jammed, it isn’t going to work.
To fix a jammed chain, you have to see why it happened in the first place. It is not likely to just jam on its own, but rather as the result of something. For instance, it could be broken or bent. In which case, you will need to replace the chain.
Problem: A Broken Chain
Did your bike ride come to an involuntary halt? A broken chain will do that. It is always a good idea to keep a spare chain with you while out on a bike ride, but there are going to be times when your chain breaks and you don’t have the extra part. So, what do you do?
Find the spot where the chain is broken and remove those links. Using a pin, reconnect the health, functioning links together. If you have spare chain links, you can always remove the broken ones and snap in the spare ones for an easy .
If you encounter this or any bike chain issue, always install a brand new chain before your next bike ride to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour.
Maui bike tours with helps you experience the most incredible journey of a lifetime. We take you 26 miles down the slopes of Maui’s Haleakala Volcano If you have questions, ! We look forward to seeing you on the mountain, Aloha Troy Tanga!
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