Biking Tips - How To Fix A Rusty Bicycle Chain
Tools To Use
Unless you use industrial grade materials, there is no easy way to clean bike chains. We will use materials that can easily be found or acquired.
1. Oil Or Lubricant
The first one is oil. If you have a bicycle lubricant then that would the best one to use. Bicycle lubricants can be in liquid or wax form. The liquid type works better for cleaning.
2. Cleaning Cloth Or Rag
We will be using oil. It will get messy if you don't have a cloth or rag to clean it with.
3. Pliers
For those with really bad rusting and chains locking. Any tool that can clamp on the links will do as a substitute.
What Not To Use
1. WD-40
While you might find online resources telling you to use it, Never use WD-40 on your bike chains. The chains will eventually lock up and it also damages the drive train.
2. Rust Removers
Unless specified to be used for your bike, don't try to put rust removers on moving parts. Some products will remove the lubricants in the chain links. This will eventually lock and freeze the chains.
3. Motor Oil
This is more of a not recommended rather than never use. Motor oils attract dirt. It is very hard to clean out when used. There will be a chance that it will slide your chain of the gears.
Steps
1. Position your bike upside down. The wheels should be at the top hanging in the air. The handlebars and seat must be touching the ground. This is the easiest position to the cleaning.
2. Apply the lubricant or oil in the chain. Apply small amounts but make sure the each chain link is covered. During application start pedaling the bike to move the chains. For the chains that are locked, apply on the affected area before starting to pedal.
3. Some areas in the chain may be locked or frozen. Apply the lubricant and try to move the affected links by using the pliers or a similar tool. Slightly bend or wiggle the links to move it. The lubricant will seep in and if all goes well it will move.
4. With your cloth or rag start to wipe the oil. Do this by pedaling the bike and holding the chain inside the rag. Make sure you wipe the top to bottom and the sides.
5. Apply the lube and then wipe it once more.
6. If everything is done, ride your bike and test run. Check to see if there are still issues with the chain.
If the chain is really worn out, it may be better to buy a new chain rather than remedy the problem. Bike maintenance should always be done to prevent issues with your bike performance.
Unless you use industrial grade materials, there is no easy way to clean bike chains. We will use materials that can easily be found or acquired.
1. Oil Or Lubricant
The first one is oil. If you have a bicycle lubricant then that would the best one to use. Bicycle lubricants can be in liquid or wax form. The liquid type works better for cleaning.
2. Cleaning Cloth Or Rag
We will be using oil. It will get messy if you don't have a cloth or rag to clean it with.
3. Pliers
For those with really bad rusting and chains locking. Any tool that can clamp on the links will do as a substitute.
What Not To Use
1. WD-40
While you might find online resources telling you to use it, Never use WD-40 on your bike chains. The chains will eventually lock up and it also damages the drive train.
2. Rust Removers
Unless specified to be used for your bike, don't try to put rust removers on moving parts. Some products will remove the lubricants in the chain links. This will eventually lock and freeze the chains.
3. Motor Oil
This is more of a not recommended rather than never use. Motor oils attract dirt. It is very hard to clean out when used. There will be a chance that it will slide your chain of the gears.
Steps
1. Position your bike upside down. The wheels should be at the top hanging in the air. The handlebars and seat must be touching the ground. This is the easiest position to the cleaning.
2. Apply the lubricant or oil in the chain. Apply small amounts but make sure the each chain link is covered. During application start pedaling the bike to move the chains. For the chains that are locked, apply on the affected area before starting to pedal.
3. Some areas in the chain may be locked or frozen. Apply the lubricant and try to move the affected links by using the pliers or a similar tool. Slightly bend or wiggle the links to move it. The lubricant will seep in and if all goes well it will move.
4. With your cloth or rag start to wipe the oil. Do this by pedaling the bike and holding the chain inside the rag. Make sure you wipe the top to bottom and the sides.
5. Apply the lube and then wipe it once more.
6. If everything is done, ride your bike and test run. Check to see if there are still issues with the chain.
If the chain is really worn out, it may be better to buy a new chain rather than remedy the problem. Bike maintenance should always be done to prevent issues with your bike performance.
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