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The Bicycle Tutor

Step-by-step video tutorials teach you how to fix your own bike!

How To Check For Chain WearOctober 29

One of the most common problems I hear about is chain skip, which is when your pedal slips forward while pedaling under pressure. This is usually either caused by a stiff chain link, worn freehub body, or by a worn chain and freewheel. In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to diagnose a worn drivetrain.

Watch the stiff link tutorial first to make sure that isn’t your problem. Once you’ve ruled out a stiff link it’s time to check if your chain is actually worn. Chains will ’stretch’ over time, because the pins and bushings start to wear, which causes them to start skipping. There are many tools available that measure chain wear (listed to the right of the video), but the easiest and most accurate way to check is by simply using a ruler.

Measure the Chain

With your chain still on the bike, place the ruler’s ‘0′ inch mark directly above the center of one of your chain pins. Now count 12 complete links. A complete link equals 1 inner and 1 outer. A rivet on a new chain should line up exactly with the 12 inch mark using this method.

Wear Indicators

According to Sheldon Brown, if the rivet is less than 1/16″ past the mark, your chain is ok. If it’s between 1/16″ and 1/8″ past the mark you’ll likely need a new chain, but your sprockets should be ok. If it

How To Recondition RapidFire Plus ShiftersOctober 22

In today’s tutorial, we’ll learn how to troubleshoot and repair a RapidFire Plus style index shifter. For this job you’ll need a phillips(+) screwdriver, a 4 or 5mm allen key, some light oil, spray grease, and some penetrating fluid like liquid wrench or WD-40.

Sometimes nothing happens if you try to shift up to an easier gear, or down to a harder gear. If your cables are functioning smoothly, this likely means that there is either a build up of gunk on the inside of your shifter, or that some of the internal parts are worn or broken.

Try This First

If it’s just gummed up, sometimes you can get it working again by squirting some light oil inside, and then running through the gears several times to make sure the oil fully penetrates the internal parts.

Look Inside

If not, you’ll have to remove the outer casing and take a look inside. Keep in mind that there are many different styles of these shifters but the concept is generally the same. You don’t want to remove all of the screws on the shifter as there are many small springs and moving parts that are difficult to put back together. Try and see which screw looks like it removes only the dust cover.

With the cover removed, you should see a ratcheting mechanism that includes a gear and a spring loaded pawl. If you run through the gears while looking inside, you’ll see that every time you shift up to an easier gear the pawl pushes against the gear until it clicks

How To Use a Quick Release Chain LinkSeptember 4

Today we’ll learn how to use a quick release chain link. There are two common link types, for which all you need is a good set of pliers.

Type 1

The first type of quick release link is found on bmx and single speed chains. There are three parts: one link plate with two chain pins attached, a plate with no chain pins that slides on the other side, and a clip that holds the link together once installed.

Disconnect Type 1

To disconnect this type of link, place one jaw of your pliers on the chain pin, and the other jaw on the open end of the clip. Then squeeze your pliers until the clip pops off. Then you can remove the outer plate and slide out the rest of the link.

Reconnect Type 1

To reconnect, simply reverse the process: slide in the link with the chain pins, place the outer plate on the other side, and then put the clip back in place. This time place one jaw of your pliers on the closed end of the clip, and the other jaw on the opposing chain pin. Then squeeze them together until the clip snaps into place.

Type 2

The second type of quick release link is found on multi-speed chains. There are only two parts to this style. Each of the two plates are identical, and each has a chain pin on one end.

Disconnect Type 2

To disconnect this style, simply place the pliers on opposing ends of the link as demonstrated, and then squeeze the pliers together until you hear a click. Now you can slide both l

How To Use a Chain Tool To Break a ChainAugust 31

This week we’ll learn how to break a chain using a chain tool. I’ll cover the quick release method next week.

Quick Release Links

The first thing to do is check to make sure your chain does not already have a quick release link. Do this by turning your pedals backwards and carefully watching every chain link as it goes by. A quick release link will stand out as they look different from all of the others. If you find one, you can refer to next week’s tutorial for removal and installation instructions.

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The Chain Tool

If you can’t find a quick release link, then your chain probably doesn’t have one. This has traditionally been the most common type of chain, and it requires a chain tool for both removal and installation. Beside this video you’ll find a few links where you can order a good quality one.

Turn the handle of your chain tool counter-clockwise until the pin has backed off enough so you can place one of your chain links on the outermost slot, furthest from the handle. There are two places on chain tools where you can place a chain. The outer slot is for disconnecting and re-connecting the chain, while the inner slot is for loosening chain links.

Disconnect the Chain

How To Remove Surface Rust on ChromeAugust 21

In this short video we’ll learn how to remove surface rust. This will work best on chrome and sometimes on bare steel. If your rust is really bad you may have to get the part sandblasted and re-chromed.

For this job you’ll need some light oil, a chunk of fine steel wool, and a rag.

Simply squirt some light oil on the rust you want to remove. Then scrub it a little bit with a chunk of steel wool and wipe it clean with a rag… and that’s it! Keep in mind that it will quickly rust again if exposed to water, so you’ll want to dry it off well after riding in the rain.