How To Replace A Bicycle Chain 

I did it! I replaced my own chain! You just saved me $130 now I’m not dependent on my local overpriced bike shop

I'm a native French speaker. I went through 3 youtube tutorials in French without being able to understand how I should put the chain on the derailler. Before trying to look a tutorial in English, stumbled upon yours and finally got it! Thanks! You're a real life-saver!

One useful tip if you’re using a joining pin is to drive it into the chain from the inside. Although it’s not as easy to do, it shouldn’t be too difficult to position the chain and bike in a way that you can access it from the other side. The reason for this is, once you snap off the guide, it will leave a burr in the remaining rivet. If the burr is on the inside of the chain, it can scratch against a cassette gear when the chain is turning through the next lower gear. Driving the rivet from the inside will put the burr on the outside, and will prevent this from happening.

it would be really nice if GCN would do a video about building up a complete bike step by step... I mean they have videos for each part but it would be really cool to see it in one video. could be 2 hours long - i'd never mind, i'd love to watch this! thinking about building up my next bike myself

I’m so grateful for these videos, I was about to use a chain tool on a chain that had a quick link in it before I saw this. I was able to replace my rear mech and adjust and index it using other other vids from this channel to guide me without any problems at all. Top work guys thanks.

Another top video guys. I built a bike with zero experience using only your how to videos.. It's still going strong.

This was the first time changing my bike chain so this tutorial was incredibly useful!

Third way to remove chain: pick it up off the pavement.

Couple of tips; Some chains have a specific outside and inside, so keep an eye out for that, and make sure you have them the right way around. If you don't have a quicklink or starter/guide pin, -when you shorten the chain, don't pop the pin all the way out; just push it far enough to let the inner link come away, but so that it stays in the outer link. This will make it about a million percent easier to re-link the chain. -and then when reinstalling the chain, set it up so that you can work the pin in from the outside of your bike, rather than the inside. For this last reason, combined with the one about side-specific chains, it might be worth your while when breaking the chain in the first place, to work the pin from the inside, out. This is very, very important especially if you're fixing your chain on the side of the road 20 miles from home.

Awesome straight forward professional instructions. Rebuilding my bike and loving these videos!

This video, plus your other chain fixing vids has educated me and saved my riding life! Many thank yous!

The most common reason for replacing a chain is because it has stretched. To allow for this I always double check by counting the number of links in the old and new chains and matching them rather than just relying on length. Really doesn't take very long (especially if you have the number of links in the old chain recorded somewhere)

Great job Simon. Clear directions and well presented. Thank you!

0:06 Perfect demo

Sometimes a naturally gifted educator comes along and this guy is it. One of the best.

So refreshing to see a mechanical video done by someone professional - thanks!

Thanks Si. Here are some more tips that might be helpful to your viewers: 1 - Always wear gloves when working with the chain. Most of the bicycle chain lubricants are designed for weather-resistance. This means they stick really well and are difficult to clean off your hands. Using gloves keeps your hands clean but you have to keep the gloves pulled snug on your fingers so they aren't pinched and ripped by the chain. 2 - In my experience, you do not need to shift to the small chainring---you can shift the chain to the large chainring before removing it. This positions the chain where it is much easier to reach and the small amount of additional spring tension from the rear derailleur is minor compared to the easier access. Also, if you're like me and seldom use your small chainring and hate cleaning it (because it's difficult to reach), keeping the chain on the big chainring keeps oil away from the small one. 3 - Be very careful to avoid dropping or sliding the chain on the chain stay of your frame. It is very easy to scratch and chip the paint on your frame this way. This is my only criticism in an otherwise great video---when Si installed the new chain, he allowed the chain to slide along the chain stay as he threaded the chain on the rear cassette and derailleur---this is never a good idea. 4 - If you're removing a badly worn chain, it is probably a good idea to replace the rear cassette also (Si mentioned this in an earlier GCN video). The teeth on the sprockets will probably be worn from the old chain stretching and may not fit a new chain properly. Many experts say we should treat the cassette as a "consumable" the same as the chain. 5 - Always clean your cassette, rear derailleur guide wheels and chainrings before installing a new chain. 6 - It's usually best to lubricate the new chain after installation. Some new chains come pre-lubed and may not require this (as long as the factory lube is acceptable for your riding environment). If your new chain comes from the factory with a sticky anti-rust coating, you may need to clean off this coating before installing and lubing the new chain. There are a variety of ways to lube the chain. Which method you choose is a matter of personal preference, your riding environment and how often you clean your bike. The environmental conditions can be very important. One lube may work well in wet conditions and another may be much better for dry and sandy conditions. If you clean your bike frequently like Si does (after every ride), even a water displacement product with an integral short-lasting lube (like WD-40) may work well as long as it is applied frequently. My personal favorite is Park Tool CL-1 (a dedicated synthetic chain lube with reasonably-good weather resistance). 7 - What kind of chain to use? You could stay with the factory-recommended chain for your drivetrain. But there may be a good reason to switch to a different type. For example: If you ride in wet conditions, a nickel-plated chain will rust less. If you're trying to keep your weight down, a chain with hollow pins and links can save you 60 g or more. For example, a SRAM PC-850 with solid pins and links weighs 318 g while a SRAM PC-1091R with hollow pins and links weighs just 255 g (and the PC-1091R includes nickel plating). 8 - Si mentioned "quick links", the chain links that are designed to be installed and removed without a conventional chain pin tool. Depending on the make, these links have a variety of names such as "master links", KMC "missing links" and SRAM "powerlinks". Some are designed to be reusable and some are not. But I've found that most of them can be reused many times (regardless what the manufacturer says) and it helps to have a pair of master link pliers as Si showed (Park Tool MLP-1.2). I have single-use SRAM powerlinks that I've reused dozens of times with zero problems. I strongly recommend using master links because they allow your chain to be quickly removed, making its cleaning so much better. I ride about 150 miles per week along the eastern side of Lake Michigan in the U.S. and there is lots and lots of sand. Even though I ride my road bike on clean paved highways with wide shoulders, I get lots of sand in my drivetrain and this requires frequent cleaning to keep the drivetrain in top condition. An easy-to-remove master link makes this a quick task. Chain cleaning tools that clean your chain while it's on the bike, in my opinion, never do an adequate job.

Simon should run Chain Replacement As Stress Therapy Classes. This is so... tranquil.

I never thought that I would need to see this video again, but low and behold, I was teaching myself to break down my bike and after I replaced the chain, I didn't route it correctly around one of the jockey wheels and I had contact. After seeing this video, I have everything back together as it goes. Thanks Simon!

How about a a video to fix a snapped chain by the roadside. Usually have a quick-link and a multi tool with a chain tool on it in my bag, but I've never had to use it on a ride.

Thanks GCN for putting this one up. Followed Simon's instructions and am a very happy rider once again.

Great video, clear, succinct and no nonsense straight to the point!

Absolutely brilliant advice. Fixed straight away. Thank you GCN

Thank you so much for this! Changed my bike chain all by myself with the help of your tutorial 😊 LOB X

Excellent video. Concise and to the point and explained in a fashion to be understandable to a neophyte such as myself. Watched some other videos and they all assumed a knowledge of bikes far beyond mine. Thank you.

"...but if you've got the bike in a work centre..." Actually I tend to lean the bike against a table or the side of the house to repair it. Also I don't have such a shiny bike or a spacious workshop with a full set of Park tools. I think someone should start a bike repair channel where the presenter is a middle-aged Dad trying to repair his kids' barely road-worthy bikes in the kitchen with totally inadequate tools while cursing...

Such great videos especially for us newbies into road biking . Thanks a million

Thanks, this video helped me not throwing my bike through the garage out of frustration. Tip for the folks unable to attach the quicklinks to each other: apply pressure on the breaks and spin with one foot your pedals. Make sure that the quicklinks are perfectly in line with each other before you do this. Cheers.

Thanks Si. The Big Ring and Big Sprocket plus 2 links for chain sizing without existing chain was perfect. I was a bit doubtful, thinking it would be too short 😊 but it was spot on 👌

Thanks so much for your thorough video, I have the confidence now to tackle this basic maintenance task myself!

Thanks very much for this video. Changed my cassette to a 12-25 and popped in a new chain with your videos. Keep it up

Thank you soo much GCN. All your videos are helpful - i’m learning to do all the work on my road bike. Legends.

Si is the man, love maintenance mondays.

Great presentation! I was dreading fixing my bike, but this has helped me a great deal! Great video length!

Cheers! 5 years later this just helped me change my first chain after snapping one for the first time also.

I have just picked up a bike from my local recycling centre that I am attempting to refurbish and this is exactly what I needed! Especially the part about not having your previous chain to measure against, the original was rusted solid and had to be removed using a cold rolled chisel and a hammer...

Si is definitely the "Bob Ross" of bike mech - makes it look so simple, calm and easy! Had he whacked the chain it would have been perfect! "Oh, let's give this missing link a happy little friend...remember: there are no mistakes, just happy accidents". Joke aside: excellent video! Thanks a bunch!

Much appreciated for video! Found GCN a great help and is good to learn new things!

No matter how may times I change chains, I always come back to this video. My only suggestion is to buy an inexpensive chain pliers....makes locking in quick links that much easier. I agree...Si is so tranquil it's like the Bob Ross of chain replacement.

Great videos, thank. I just installed a new dura ace 11 speed chain, I have the writing on the chain facing out. But I think I put the chain upside down??? The writing is upside down. Or does it matter. Please help

Thank you Simon for a very straightforward & concise presentation. I did find one part (threading the chain back on to the bike. At 4:00 on the video) hard to see, but I figure I'll be able to manage. Thank you!

LOVE the mechanics videos guys. Good stuff!!

Great How To...I have watched Dan snapping his chain about 30 times and had a hysterical laugh session after a long day at work. Chapeau Boss, chapeau

for re-sizing the chain, thats that two link method work, when having a long cage rear-mech? i run a compact and 11-32. thanks very much.

thanks to your video i have managed to save time and money fixing my chain myself thanks to you guys and keep up the good work!!

Very good guide. Simple and thorough.

Thanks for all ur vids great help, do have a question if u don't mind, I replaced my jockey wheels few months ago and I had a mega problem getting it all back together and that was due to my derailleur, as soon as I took my chain off my derailleur sprung clock wise which loosened that spring that keeps tension on the derailleur, I've never had that happen to me before on any bike and most vids I watch it don't happen so wondering if there's anything wrong wiv mine, I managed to turn the derailleur anticlockwise untill there was enough tension on my chain, but ever since then it's never felt right , not sure if I've overstretched the spring on the derailleur or what, like in this vid when you take your chain off your derailleur didn't spring it self loose clock wise. Any advice wud be grateful. Thanks Matt

Very simple. He was quick and thorough. Painless! Thanks

Nice, really helpful, thanks. Not sure if you mentioned but - if you are using a quick link, you need to take one extra link out of the new chain (when sizing it next to the old one) as when you install the quick link it adds 1 link to the length of the chain : )

Spot on advice, managed to change my chain using the video, works perfectly. Thanks guys

Thanks for a fantastic, clear and instructive video. Inspiring, reckon I'm in for a long ride today ;)

Excellent video GCN. Before this video I had no idea how to change a chain and I just got back from replacing my chain which took less then 10 minutes.

Great tutorial. Thanks guys. Just fitted my new chain on my new 11-spd using this.

Really simple, well-explained video -- thank you.

Thanks, I needed this. My chain crapped out during lock down.

So glade that I saw this video. It was helpful when I had to change out my chain on my bike.

Very clear and well presented, thank you!

I wish I had watched this before I changed my chain, yesterday. I knew the basics, but this would have made it easier.

Just did this to clean my chain. Looks brand new. Great video

Such a useful well made video, thanks GCN

Just replaced my chain with your help. Thanks GCN!

I didnt even watch this video before I started to fix my bike, but seems like I was only having trouble with the master link, I saw you use a wrench so I decided to get a wrench.... fixed!! Now I can go ride my bike!! Thanks!

Oooh an anodised cable end cap. Your time in Italy at the giro has made you sophisticated!

Just what i needed :D thank you for this video !

mywife bought a secondhand bike yesterday that needed work. your videos made it a lot easier for a non cyclist to fix a bike

Hi chaps, when measuring a new SRAM chain do I knock off a link to account for the power link or just add it to the same length as before?

This comment, contains 1 million thank you's, for all the helpful tips you guys have given!!!! Thank you!

Thanks, tried it for the first time worked a treat!

thanks, excelent shot and very properly explanation how set up new chain.

Simon, before watching this video, I was doing it all wrong. However now, after watching you in action Mate, I've learned how to correctly pull my chain just right, thanks :)

Best explanation on chain replacement, ever.

just watched you short film and hats off to you " all was got me a little confused the threading of the chain at the back jockey's . thanks mate your a star in my book, Elliot*

Thanks.Clear and had the information I needed.

do 70 pound e bikes use the same chains in general as a regular bike with same gear set up ?... thanks great video good info

Thanks man, great explanation and demo. Got it right first time.

I have a derailleur with a really short arm and compact body, should i still add the two standard rivits?

The first "replace chain" video that has made any sense to me....thanks.

Watch this once through. Then use it step by step and it is as easy as falling off a bike. Thanks again GCN

Hi is it possible to install a 11 speed chain on a track bike by just changing the sprocket or cog

LOVE the clip @ 0.06 - also a GREAT how-to-do demo video.

I found the "how to fit a chain" very helpful i just got to get the gears sorted now, I got friction gears one is indexed any ideas on how to set them up?

excellent video - not many like that (not only on bike maintenance) but any tutorials!

Very helpful. You made it simple. I replace my chain the hard way. Turns out I had a quick link the entire time....Doh!!

"Oh, you F'cking kidding me" LOL!!!

Shouldn't you be inserting the pin from the inside of the chain and clipping it on the outside so that the extra bit that protrudes doesn't touch the adjacent gear on the rear wheel?

Thank you. Very well explained it seems, I will save some money and attempt this on my own now.

Great informative video explained clearly

Clear and waffle-free. Thanks!!

Great video. Didn’t realise width of chain is narrower the more gears you have. Every days a school day. Thanks

Worked like a charm. Many thanks

these videos are a great resource to come back to.

Cheers guys.Love GCN

Brilliant, couldn't have explained it better. Video close ups excellent also.

Very clear and helpful - thank you!

Brilliant film, thank you, much appreciated 👍👍👍

tks great info I will try to replace my own chain and will watch your other vids thank you

Liked the clarification needed ( by me) about re-joining Shimano chains.

You guys are life savers!!!

@GCN your tutorials are really good. Thansk for saving me a lot of blood, sweat and tears!

Super helpful video thank you so much!