When the chain is the right length вЂ“ with some movement to the derailleur arm вЂ“ you can split the chain using the chain tool.Make the determination before you continue your effort. There are two possibilities for the next step вЂ“ for a Shimano chain, you need to have an inner and outer plate at the end of the chain, while a SRAM or KMC chain needs two inner plates at each end of the chain.Having a broken spoke handy is the perfect way to keep the chain taut and in position. Measure which to split by holding them in place where they meet. Once you have the chain in place, pull the two ends towards each other.Take note that you should never ride in this gear. In order to do that correctly, youвЂ™ll have to adjust the chain so that it is fitted to the two largest rings вЂ“ the one in the front and the one in the rear. In order to make sure the chain operates no matter what gear you use without damaging the bicycle, youвЂ™ll need to size it properly. Now, itвЂ™s time to actually fit the chain and assure itвЂ™s going to function properly. IвЂ™ve got a chain with about 300 miles on it that is still going strong. Best to do this sooner than later before the chain gets too dirty and cleaning it becomes a chore. Do this gently to avoid damage to the chain or bike and to assure the chain doesnвЂ™t fall off. Once you notice your chain isnвЂ™t feeling as fast, or maybe its got some dirt or rust building up on it, itвЂ™s time to re-wax. At this point, you can release the derailleur.Finally, send it through the lower tab of the derailleur cage arm.9 speed chains are narrower (up to 6.8mm) than a chain for a 7 or 8 speed (up to 7.2mm). Continue threading by taking the chain through the lower jockey wheel MTB chains come in two basic sizes, 7/8 speed or 9 speed.From there, thread it behind the tab in the derailleur cage arm.Next, thread the chain over the top of the upper jockey wheel.You want to have a few inches dangling under, so you can then place the other end of the chain in the seatstay, then lay it across the cassette. Start by threading the end of the chain through the front derailleur.Now, itвЂ™s time to set to work on the chain itself. Next, release any clutch mechanism you may have on the rear derailleur.Repeat this for the front, setting it to the largest chain ring.Using the gear shifts, set the rear derailleur to the biggest cog.If you pick the right size ring (usually 30-34t), itвЂ™ll create the perfect amount of tension.Before you can put on the new bike chain, youвЂ™ll need to make some adjustments on your bicycle. Sweet little trick.Д«asically, get an old chain ring and cram it between the top and bottom of your chain. This was recently featured in Bike Mag, and I use one on my tandemвЂ™s idler chain. If tensioners donвЂ™t work, thereвЂ™s always вЂ¦ Have you tried a Surly Singlelator? IвЂ™ve heard only good things about that item. As long as youвЂ™re close to that, you should be OK.Дў. The international standard chain tension is one-half inch of vertical play halfway between the cog and ring. No matter where you add a tooth - chainring or cog - youвЂ™re going to make the chain too tight. That would give you ideal chain tension, but you might experience a slight skipping problem.Д«ut seriously. These bikes used to use 2x drivetrains most of the time because they excel at long distance trails and climb very well so you will need that gear choice to stay in your comfort zone. They still hold that position for anyone thatвЂ™s not too much into freeride or downhill riding. Pintle chains let BMXers and singlespeeders get more precise adjustments without relying on chain tensioners.ДЇrom what youвЂ™re saying, your ideal rear cog would have 17 1/2 teeth. Trail bikes are the original all-rounders. This lets you adjust length in one-half-inch increments. You can add or remove one link at a time. That changes your chain length in one-inch increments.ДЄ half-link (pintle) chain uses the same link throughout. When you adjust chain length, you must add or remove two links at a time (one narrow and one wide). The 17t works but has alot of play until you put pedal pressure on it, but has never fallen off.Д¬an you help before I start buying hundreds of dollars of chainrings and rear cogs trying to find a good combo.ДЄs most of us know, a standard chain alternates narrow and wide links.

They tried a 18 rear but it was so tight the cranks would hardly turn. I took the bike to a local bike shop and they tried swapping the rear cog to different sizes and now have a 36t front and a 17t rear. I have tried tensioners and have not had any luck with them so I decided to try a half link chain since it looks cleaner. I have a 2005 cannondale chase size small frame that i have converted to a single speed but it has vertical dropouts.

Mountain bike chain too long