Bicycle Chains Explained: When is it Time for a New One?

Replacing your bicycle’s chain is something you’ll have to learn how to do sooner or later. It’s one of the few parts you’ll have to replace along with the brakes and tyres. Your bicycle chains are the most important element of your bicycle’s transmission, as it’s the link that connects your two drivetrains. It’s through the chain that pedal power is transformed into a forward movement. That being said, buying the right one is of utmost importance.

Nowadays, modern bicycle chains are called roller chains, and they consist of cylindrical rollers that are held together by links. Most chains are made of steel for strength but there are also chains made of carbon fibre or aluminum to reduce weight. The right chain for your bicycle will depend on the type of ride you have and the type of riding you perform. Chains are available in different widths, most of which suit specific types of bikes like BMX, MTB or road bikes. But regardless of what type of bike you ride, you need to put a lot of emphasis on maintaining your chain unless you’re fine with replacing it frequently.

BMX chains are the standard 1/8-inches in width, however, there are narrower 3/32-inch models for weight-shaving riders. When looking at the length, you’ll come across the standard lengths of 112, 98 and 96 links, so consider what size your drivetrain is before you make a buying decision. Buying an MTB road bike chain is slightly more complicated, simply because you have to take into account the sprockets on the rear cassette on top of the width and length.

Most chains and cassettes are compatible with each other, even if they’re made by different manufacturers. However, there are some variations that aren’t compatible, such as SRAM and Shimano chains with Campagnolo cassettes. Also worth noting is that Shimano chains require special rivets to join them if you’ve split them up once, and you can’t re-use the old rivets. SRAM chains, on the other hand, use a special powerlink that can be split and rejoined, which makes them an extremely popular choice among many riders.

All bicycle chains have a limited lifespan because they’re made of mechanical parts that rub against each other. So when you turn the pedal even once, this fraction causes a lot of wear and tear. Worn down chains tend to stretch, and they start skipping over the teeth when under load, instead of meshing. Once this starts happening, it’s time for a new chain.