| Once your mountain bike chain becomes damaged, | | | | out of the roller. Set the tool to the side, then |
| you should immediately replace it with a new one. | | | | work the chain very gently from side to side and |
| It is possible however, to repair a broken chain | | | | extract the inner side plates and roller. |
| using a chain tool. For this very reason, most | | | | Now is the time to re-route the chain through the |
| mountain bikers travel with a chain tool. | | | | bike. You may want to have a chain retaining tool |
| Your chain has three basic components - the metal | | | | or some to help you hold the chain in the right spot |
| side plates, the rollers between the side plates, and | | | | as you route and repair it. |
| the rivets, or pins which go through the rollers and | | | | Now that the broken link has been removed and |
| help to hold the plates together. These pins allow | | | | you've re-routed the chain, you're ready to insert a |
| the rollers to freely turn as the chainmoves around | | | | new link or simply connect the links that were beside |
| the cogs. | | | | the broken one. The process here is the same - |
| If your chain happens to break, you'll need to | | | | align the two ends so that the link withthe inner side |
| remove the broken link and replace it with a spare | | | | plates will fit inside the link with the pin and outer |
| link. To do this, simply reattach the two ends of the | | | | side plates. Now, use the chain tool to push the pin |
| broken chain and ride on a shorter chain until you can | | | | inward until it's positioned evenly between the side |
| get it replaced. | | | | plates. |
| To remove a broken link of chain, place it in the chain | | | | The easiest way to learn how to do this or feel |
| tool. Now, turn the tool counter clockwise until the | | | | comfortable doing it is to have someone show you, |
| rivet pin of the chain tool touches the chain rivet. | | | | then actually practice with a chain and a chain tool. |
| Continue to turn the tool until the pin pushes out of | | | | You'll have no trouble at all making a temporary |
| the roller. Be very careful, as you want to stop | | | | repair in a mountain bike chain once you've seen it |
| turning when the pin is right at the edge of the | | | | done by a professional and practiced it yourself a |
| roller, before it moves throughthe outer side plate. | | | | few times. |
| Now, turn the tool in the other direction, and back it | | | | |