Chain Fitting Advice.

[Hugh Manatee]

I didn't know which forum to post this in for the best. Mechanics or Beginners? Most old hands would know this so I settled on sticking it here.

The problem with fitting the chain is that the spring in the rear mech makes life very awkward. You need a third hand!

Use an old spoke. Snip or hacksaw the bend off is it hasn't already snapped off. It is an old spoke after all. Now bend each end up just past the vertical.

There you go. Now hook an end into the chain, pull the other end in a bit against the spring and hook that one in as well.

You can now join the chain without the ends constantly trying to spring apart.

 

[andyfraser]

That's really nifty! I must admit, I haven't found it too difficult with a powerlink or similar but I'll try your trick anyway just to make things that little bit easier.

 

[steve50]

We're never too old to learn new tricks.

 

[mjr]

I've seen a few similar tips recently and I don't get it. I put half the power link in each end of the chain, pull them together, the left hand easily overcomes the derailleur tension (and I'm not particularly strong like that) and click the link shut. Why mess about with hooks? Is the derailleur tension too high? Is the chain too short? Are ten speed derailleurs more strongly sprung?

 

[andyfraser]

I've seen a few similar tips recently and I don't get it. I put half the power link in each end of the chain, pull them together, the left hand easily overcomes the derailleur tension (and I'm not particularly strong like that) and click the link shut. Why mess about with hooks? Is the derailleur tension too high? Is the chain too short? Are ten speed derailleurs more strongly sprung?

I've let one end of the chain skip before now when I didn't quite get the link joined. I almost lost one half of the link that time. If this tip makes things a little easier then I'll use it.

 

[screenman]

Good tip, though I never run the chain around the front chain ring when connecting ends.

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^^^+1
just put the chain on the big ring once joined.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Good tip, though I never run the chain around the front chain ring when connecting ends.

Same here, but the tip is excellent for when you want to open a quick link.

 

[mjr]

Same here, but the tip is excellent for when you want to open a quick link.

Opening the quick link is easily done by kinking the chain on the big ring at the power link and then tapping/pushing it with a tool to split it.

 

[screenman]

Opening the quick link is easily done by kinking the chain on the big ring at the power link and then tapping/pushing it with a tool to split it.

I thought we were talking about connecting the chain ends, I do know about disconnecting,

Sorry if I got it wrong.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Great tip, I will definitely try this when changing my new chain and cassette.... Thanks.