How to Replace a Chain on a Bike – Sizing & Installation

By admin | July 6, 2019 |

How to Replace a Chain on a Bike – Sizing & Installation

This video will walk you through each step of chain replacement, including checking & removing the old chain, sizing and routing the new chain, and connecting the chain using a connecting rivet or master link. Also included are instructions for peening Campagnolo® 11-speed chains.

Questions or comments? Leave them below!

See all our chain videos in our chain repair help playlist ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGCTGpvdT04RFvpef1qIJSQygRL8sv0eh

Video contents:
01:03 Tools Needed
01:21 Check Chain Length
02:06 Remove Chain – Master Link
02:44 Remove Chain – Connecting Rivet
03:20 Chain Sizing w/ Original Chain
04:28 Chain Routing
05:22 Connecting the Chain – Master Link
05:52 Connecting the Chain – Connecting Rivet

➤ Tools & materials used:
• MLP-1.2 Master Link Pliers – http://www.parktool.com/product/master-link-pliers-mlp-1-2
• CT-3.2 Chain Tool – http://www.parktool.com/product/chain-tool-ct-3-2
• CT-4.3 Master Chain Tool With Peening Anvil – http://www.parktool.com/product/master-chain-tool-with-peening-anvil-ct-4-3
CL-1 Synthetic Blend Chain Lube – http://www.parktool.com/product/synthetic-blend-chain-lube-with-ptfe-cl-1
• See all Park Tool chain products – http://www.parktool.com/category/chain
• Repair Stand – http://www.parktool.com/category/repair-stands

For a text-based walk-through of this process: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/chain-replacement-derailleur-bikes

➤ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/parktoolcompany?sub_confirmation=1
➤ Like: https://www.facebook.com/parktool
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➤ Fix It:
Did you know that Park Tool is the #1 resource for bicycle repair education?
• Visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/parktool
• Visit the Repair Help section of Parktool.com: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/
• Check out The Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair: http://www.parktool.com/product/big-blue-book-of-bicycle-repair-3rd-edition-bbb-3

➤ About Park Tool:
Since our founding in 1963, Park Tool has been the leading name in bicycle tools. Our YouTube channel is an extension of our mission to be the ultimate resource for mechanics and riders of all skill levels. Here you will find comprehensive repair help tutorials for a wide range of components and processes, as well as troubleshooting guides, tips and tricks, and information on the latest Park Tool products.

➤ More Chain Repair Help:
• The Park Tool Guide to Chains ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSLnA14hKkI
• How to Clean and Lube a Bicycle Chain with a Park Tool Chain Cleaner ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuwS_nSevy4
• When to Replace a Chain on a Bicycle ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXd-3UnqoaM
• How to Fix a Broken Bicycle Chain ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpUCCrgugQE
• How to Replace a Chain on a Single Speed Bike – Sizing, Installation & Tensioning ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88tDcVvS7mU
• How to Size a Bicycle Chain ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0YibMDWBAw
• How to Size a Campagnolo Bicycle Chain ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6TodcAH948

Posted in Tools

50 Comments

  1. Russ Cambell on July 6, 2019 at 11:48 pm

    I would cut old chain off with an angle grinder . But I’m a barbarian lol



  2. Tony Y on July 6, 2019 at 11:50 pm

    Shimano hyperglide pins should be inserted from the inside – I never knew that before and did it from the outside for the last 25 years! Never had a problem but the explanation of why it should be done that way was clear. Thanks 🙂



  3. Bob Americana on July 6, 2019 at 11:51 pm

    what if there is no chain…how do you determine what size and length chain to get ? i have a torker tristar single speed tricycle…it uses 2 different sized chains…..the front one looks like a typical bike chain as far as the link size…but this chain is too small for the rear chain….pedal crank to coaster gear…then a 2nd chain from the coaster to the rear axle cog….
    even better , why in the hell would a 400 dollar tricycle use 2 different sized links on their drive system ?!?



  4. K Five on July 6, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    But I don’t have a can-do attitude. Where can I get one of those?



  5. Just Jordan on July 6, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    5 hours ago I had a dirty Road Bike now I got a single speed with a lot of slack on my chain. Jeez I should have watched this before I started.



  6. Tomi Saaranen on July 6, 2019 at 11:53 pm

    I miss Ben



  7. Jackson Ablola on July 6, 2019 at 11:54 pm

    Anyone else use a shoelace to remove a master link



  8. Edith Bedard on July 6, 2019 at 11:55 pm

    Very well done videos! you include so much more details and side demonstrations, it make this process a lot more doable for a novice person like me. Thanks



  9. Nenad Kukuljan on July 6, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    Problem is following: how often do we change our bike chains ? Maybe once every few years ,chain tool costs more than a chain…
    😁😁😁



  10. POVMTB on July 6, 2019 at 11:58 pm

    Sooo, new chain has stock grease which is for stocking chains for long time, not for lubeing, i allways wash that off, second kmc makes all the chains, all you have to match is speed



  11. Daryl Briggs on July 6, 2019 at 11:59 pm

    Hello, good day! Is it possible to use the 10s KMC chain to 9s gear? Thanks in advance.



  12. whatathon on July 7, 2019 at 12:01 am

    best bicycle repair videos on youtube, well done guys



  13. David Elstob on July 7, 2019 at 12:01 am

    If you’re unsure it’s always good to watch a couple of videos before you start installing anything… then you don’t have to be the idiot that blames someone else for your own incompetence!



  14. Steven on July 7, 2019 at 12:03 am

    I watched this video following the one about repairing a broken chain. In the video about repairing a broken chain, it says it is only a temporary fix to get you home, where you buy a new chain. But this video, your break the chain, run it through, reattach it, and its good to go? So what was the point of the other video, and why would I have to replace that chain and not this one?

    Just to be proactive, I’m looking for answers in general regarding installing new vs repairing bike chains, and not something like "well if the chain broke it probably needs replaced".



  15. John Whittle on July 7, 2019 at 12:03 am

    Thanks! This video sorted me out… just replaced my chain.



  16. Prairie Climber on July 7, 2019 at 12:05 am

    Where do I get the mechanic from?…
    I don’t want to lose orientation while swapping out my chain!



  17. nodaklojack on July 7, 2019 at 12:06 am

    This is the only video that I could find mention of driving the pin in a particular direction. Good job! Wish it was mentioned in the other park tool chain sizing video.



  18. bobby redondo on July 7, 2019 at 12:06 am

    sounds like a canadian..I like the canadians I have known



  19. Michael Sebourn on July 7, 2019 at 12:07 am

    great educational



  20. Emrah Mehmedov on July 7, 2019 at 12:08 am

    Can we reuse the same connecting rivet which was extracted once to connect the chain again?



  21. TimothyApe on July 7, 2019 at 12:09 am

    When mounting a new 105 chain, I recognized that shortly before pushing the new pin fully in, it got pretty loose for 1 or 1,5 turns again before resisting even more, so I stopped. Looks good from the outside, but I found it irritating that it felt like pushed too far.
    So relating to the video, I experienced 3 force surges,
    Can anybody relate?



  22. Alec nolastname on July 7, 2019 at 12:11 am

    Pro tip: NEVER buy a bike from CanadianTire



  23. Mani Wasaki on July 7, 2019 at 12:13 am

    8:10 THANK YOU….and nice beard



  24. Kyle Johnson on July 7, 2019 at 12:14 am

    Look like a healthier Roy Nelson



  25. John H on July 7, 2019 at 12:14 am

    I’ve installed then chain but I find it skips on the smallest 2-3 cogs at the rear. I know it was one link short on the previous chain, the the size still seems good. I’ll check for seized links. But any other tips?! I also replaced all gear cables as well, but the alignment looks good.



  26. John Link on July 7, 2019 at 12:16 am

    Someone from SRAM told me to NOT remove the original lube on their chains because it’s the very best chain lube.



  27. kev on July 7, 2019 at 12:17 am

    Nice video



  28. Tucker Anderson on July 7, 2019 at 12:19 am

    Also get a good chain tool, Wal-Mart ones suck.



  29. Stein Haynes on July 7, 2019 at 12:22 am

    I replaced the chain on my bike and now it makes a pop kinda like its trying to skip but only in 7th gear and only if i push hard on the peddels



  30. Hello Hello on July 7, 2019 at 12:22 am

    What if you’re not strong enough to take the chain apart with the tool?



  31. Jim A on July 7, 2019 at 12:24 am

    Lighter? Yes. More durable? Not usually.



  32. Velda Wells on July 7, 2019 at 12:29 am

    Hi guys.
    After letting bike tire down, loosening back break, removing tire, following instructions for measuring new chain without existing one, fitting connectors, re-threading new chain, putting back wheel back on, adjusting breaks and testing gears all work (and all upside down and reverse to videos as video instruction bike was suspended right way up), and after 5 hours of "can do attitude", I changed my chain. Yeh! Thanks very much lads for detailed instructions. Oh "girl power" by the way. Female. Never done before. Got frustrated many times, but never gave up. Now I’m mobile. Thought – could you do a video for those that aren’t able to suspend their bikes right way up to repair chain?
    From England, UK.



  33. technical shah on July 7, 2019 at 12:29 am

    Can I order ParkTool products in Pakistan



  34. Hellas Ducatisti on July 7, 2019 at 12:30 am

    Can we put a master link in Campagnolo 11 chain when it needs temporary?



  35. turkayy on July 7, 2019 at 12:31 am

    very informative.. I love it.. thanks 🙂



  36. M on July 7, 2019 at 12:32 am

    Say "CAM-PIN-YOLO" one more time… Pirk Tools :))



  37. Nexus Pro on July 7, 2019 at 12:32 am

    I ended up putting my chain on and it’s was too big but I do not own any of those fancy measuring tools to tell if it’s too big but I can’t tell it’s has too much lengeth any other way to tell if it good enough lengeth



  38. fractal_force on July 7, 2019 at 12:32 am

    What a great video!



  39. Jesi and Eliud on July 7, 2019 at 12:35 am

    What if you dont have the old chain anymore how will you fit the new one?



  40. kiyonexus on July 7, 2019 at 12:36 am

    5:05 horrible video angle… Can’t see wtf you’re routing exactly when the camera keeps cutting at the worst timing…



  41. qwertykevin1 on July 7, 2019 at 12:36 am

    how would i remove a chain on a old 1970 schwinn bike chain? i wanted to keep that chain, but take it off for cleaning, i dont believe it has a master link.



  42. bigfatb0b on July 7, 2019 at 12:36 am

    Newbie question. If you use the chain tool to break the chain by driving the rivet out , why use a different rivet to reconnect ? If you drive the rivet out, so that the male end drops away but the rivet remains in the outer plate. So when reconnecting the chain ends why not just connect the chain by pushing the rivet back into place ?



  43. rowallan oconnor on July 7, 2019 at 12:37 am

    I can’t find it



  44. Igor Dugonjic on July 7, 2019 at 12:38 am

    So awesome, wanted just to be sure but this video is so good and informative that I really enjoyed it so much …
    Thank you !!!



  45. fdn777 on July 7, 2019 at 12:40 am

    8:15 " it might be a symptom of a worn cassete so you might need to replace those" throws the metal cassete on the table and … BLAAAM!!!
    I guess that this sound we just heard is a symptom of a worn table as well. You might need to replace the table too.



  46. John Robertson on July 7, 2019 at 12:41 am

    This guy sucks, where is Clavin Jones.



  47. Bobby Hempel on July 7, 2019 at 12:42 am

    Yay I did it lol



  48. Retro Dude, On an old Mountain bike. on July 7, 2019 at 12:43 am

    Wish I’d seen this video, 10 yrs ago as I didn’t use a new pin when I replaced my chain. The pin came out and ripped up the front derailleur. It’s what we used to do when I was a kid. I use a power link/missing link now much better idea than the stupid pin.



  49. Bag Secured on July 7, 2019 at 12:44 am

    Thanks
    -my knees



  50. Matteo DH on July 7, 2019 at 12:44 am

    is there a break-in period for chains?