Any vehicle requires maintenance. Wear of parts is an irreversible process. Even the most primitive devices break down over time. To extend the life cycle of the mechanism, defects should be eliminated in time and preventive measures should be carried out to avoid new ones.
Chain replacement method
Chain deformation on a bicycle is a popular phenomenon encountered by many owners of this vehicle. The chain can break from frequent use of the bicycle, excessive tension, lack of lubricant, or poor quality.
The procedure for replacing the chain on old and new models of bicycles is no different from each other. The chain of the new model is much longer. This is characterized by the fact that these bicycles are equipped with a chain tensioner. This device prevents it from flying off the rear sprocket for no reason. On older models, the chain is shorter. It must be tightened regularly by adjusting the rear wheel.
Do not pull the chain too tight, as it is more likely to break.
The chain can only be replaced by opening it. The integrity of the bike frame will prevent it from being removed in any other way. Each chain has a lock specially designed for this purpose. The lock is visually different from the rest of the chain links. Use a flat head screwdriver, pliers, and a piece of steel wire to open it. Be extremely careful. The lock is firmly secured. This is done so that during operation it does not suddenly open up. The so-called corkscrew ring in the lock is different from each other on some chains.
Opening methods
If the corkscrew ring is hollow, that is, it does not have a break in it, it is removed using a squeezing method. Pull the link on which the lock is installed using pliers and wire. Tighten until it is visually observed that the link is compressed. Then use a regular screwdriver to remove the ring, it should come off without any difficulty. Take out the lock. That's it, the circuit is open.
Use only steel wire. Aluminum and even more so copper will not withstand the load and will break.
Another type of rings - with a small gap on its narrow part. This ring can only be removed with a flat screwdriver. Insert it into the middle of the ring and turn it so that it fits into the spacer of the ring and spreads it apart. After sliding apart, remove the ring and remove the lock, the chain will also be open.
It happens that the chain is badly rusted, and the above methods do not help to open it. Then use the radical method - cut the chain. To do this, you need a hammer and chisel. Remember that the weakest link in a chain is the lock. If you direct your blow to another place, then not only will you not be able to cut the chain, you will ruin it completely.
The new circuit is closed back to the opening algorithm. First, thread the chain through the frame as it should be. Then insert the lock into the chain and put on the corkscrew ring.
