Have you ever had a bike chain break on the road, in the middle of a race? Well, I have and it was one of the most frustrating experiences ever in my childhood. After that incident, I started looking for ways to prevent that from happening again.
If you are having trouble fixing your baby’s bike chain, then this article is just for you.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fix a kid’s bike chain. Let’s follow us here to know the easy and quick process of fixing the child’s bike.
Let’s jump in-
What is a bike chain? How does it work?
Before knowing how to fix a kid’s bike chain, let’s know what is bike chain and how does it move your kid’s bike forward. A bike chain is a roller chain that drives the rear wheel of a bicycle. It is the most essential part of a bike’s drive train, connecting the crankset to the rear sprocket.
Bike chains are generally made up of two different types of steel: high-carbon, which is stronger and more wear-resistant; and low-carbon, which is cheaper and easier to the machine. The high-carbon steel links in the chain are often plated with nickel, copper, or other alloys for durability and corrosion resistance.
Bicycle chains are used to transfer power from your legs to the wheels. The bike chain is what makes the bicycle move. A bike chain consists of a series of tiny metal links connected to each other by small pins. The links are linked together by the pins to form the loop which allows them to roll smoothly around the sprockets on your bicycle’s rear wheel and front chain rings.
The links in the bike chain are made up of a small upper plate, a larger inner plate, and two side plates. A roller bearing is pressed between the top and bottom plates. The smaller of the two side plates are attached to the front sprocket. The larger plate, which has a small hole in the center, fits around the upper and lower plates. The pin on the right-hand side of the illustration fits through this hole, allowing the sprocket to rotate smoothly.
The roller bearing has two rollers that run along a central groove between two rows of balls. The rollers are supported at both ends by a cage. Roller bearings are bearing devices that support and guide the rotation of a shaft or axle with rolling elements between two bearing rings. Ultimately what happens due to the rotation of this bear rolling is turning the chain, and moving the bike wheel forward.
How to fix a broken bike chain?
The first time I tried to fix a bike chain I was eight years old. I had just gotten a new bike, and my dad taught me how to change the chain in case it broke. After hours of work, I proudly rode my new bike to school and showed it off to my classmates. One boy told me the chain looked different than mine, and that he could see my pants through the link holes.
I immediately went home and threw the bike in the garage, never to be ridden again. After years of being afraid of trying again, I finally bought some tools and fixed that bike chain.
Over the course of two days, I fixed a bike chain that broke on me. I went to the local bike shop and bought a new chain, but they couldn’t help me with installing it. I had to figure it out myself. It was a nightmare.
I somehow managed to get the chain onto the gears, but I couldn’t adjust the chain tensioner because there was an obstacle in the way. I had to take a look at a couple of videos online and finally figured out how to use my specialized tools to fix the problem. It took me two days of trial and error.
A broken chain can cause you to lose control of your bike. This means that if you have a problem with your chain, it could lead to an accident. That’s why it is important to know how to fix a bike chain when it breaks.
This article will discuss how to repair a bike chain using the tools that you have at home. A chain might seem simple, but it is actually the heart of the bike. However, with time, the chain becomes worn out and needs to be replaced. A broken chain can cause you to lose control of your bike. This means that if you have a problem with your chain, it could lead to an accident. That’s why it is important to know how to fix a bike chain when it breaks.
The first step in fixing a bike chain is loosening the bolt holding the bottom bracket and removing any link that’s broken. Here are some easy steps for removing a bike chain:
- Loosening the bolt
- Removing the inner plates
- Removing the outer plates
Note: The steps mentioned above are only for fixing a bike chain that has a rust problem. If your chain is worn out, then you might have to replace it with a new one. However, if your bike has a rust problem, then these steps will help you get rid of this problem.
The first step in fixing a bike chain is loosening the bolt holding the bottom bracket and removing any small particles of dirt or rust that may be blocking the sprocket teeth. If you have a non-drive side crank, loosen the locknut on the non-drive side, slide the washer to the other side of the spindle, and tighten the locknut.
The next step is to remove the chain from the rear sprocket. This is done by loosening the cable bolt on any gear that is on the smallest sprocket, then moving the gear to a larger sprocket and tightening the cable bolt so that it pulls on the chain. If you cannot move gear to a larger sprocket, you may need to loosen the cable bolt on one of the gears that have a smaller sprocket than the one you are trying to move to.
A bike chain can be difficult to repair. You will need a chain tool, the appropriate-sized chain rivet, and some new links.
The second step is removing the broken link from the chain. If you are looking for a replacement link, many bike shops will sell them, but if not you can purchase them online.
Another thing that could be wrong with your bike chain is if there is too much slack between your rear tire and your chain ring. The best way to fix this problem is to first make sure your chain isn’t quite worn out.
The next step is to remove the chain from the rear sprocket.
How to fix a kid’s bike chain in a shortcut way?
Though already we discussed above this, you can see the below three steps to fix your kid’s bike chain quickly. The three steps are removing the broken chain, installing one or a few quick links, and finally installing a chain pin.
Let’s see how we described these steps-
Removing a broken chain link and shortening chain:
Today we are going to talk about removing a broken chain link and shortening the chain. This is a pretty easy task if you have the right tools for the job.
Before you begin, take off the front and rear sprockets/chain rings so that you don’t scratch them. You should have a chain tool on hand to remove the broken link. The size of your chain tool depends on your chain. If you’re unsure of which tool is right for your bike, stop by your local bike shop or look at the side of your chain; there should be a code, similar to SRAM PC.
Install a quick link:
When the outer plates of your kid’s bike are broken, you can install a quick link to fix the chain. You may hear about the quick link. These are different in size and depend on the bike speed to become different in the size.
However, as already I said, for the breakdown of the outer plate you can cut these plates and can install a perfect size quick pin. But in case of breaking down the inner plates, you need to cut a minimum of 1-1/2 inner links to install the quick link. Quick links are not cross-compatible up to speed 8 to 12.
Install a Chain Pin:
Especially the Shimano brands chain sometimes demands a chain pin installation. Chain pin also speeds specific and these also are not cross-compatible. You can put two chains together by side and can hold them properly in place using the chain pin. So how to use the chain pin in place? It is very simple, use the chain tool and press the pin on the place. Once you have installed the chain pin properly, look at the back of the chain pin. Break the extra portion, protruding dangerously from the chain back.
Kids Bike Chain Maintenance:
Bikes are a great way for kids to get to school and explore the neighborhood. But there will always be occasional breakdowns that require repairs. That’s why it’s important to have a good bike maintenance kit on hand so that you can fix minor issues as they arise.
One of the most common issues is with the bike chain. It can become stuck or fall off, but thankfully the fix is fairly simple. The first step is to remove the chain from the bike, which could be tricky if it’s stuck. However, as a mom or dad you can do it easily I think!
Children’s bikes are made of lightweight but fragile materials. If a bike chain is damaged or not properly maintained, then a child may be injured while riding. The following steps can be used to maintain a kid’s bike chain and make it last longer.
- Get a bicycle repair kit that has the tools required to work on the bike.
- Use the correct tool for the job. There is a specific tool for removing and putting on bike chains. Using the incorrect tool can damage the chain and other parts of the bike. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning and lubricating the chain every three months to ensure it lasts longer.
- Bike chains get dirty and gritty with use. Cleaning a bike chain regularly is essential if you want it to last longer and remain efficient. The process of cleaning a bike chain is pretty easy once you know what to do.
By cleaning your bike’s chain regularly, you can keep your kid’s bike in good condition. You can also avoid damaging your derailler or putting undue stress on the rest of your drive. Cleaning your chain is easy-peasy. All you’ll need is a few basic tools (and maybe a bit of elbow grease) to get the job done.
The three main types of cleaning products on the market are degreasers, brushes, and wax/oil. It’s entirely up to you which one you choose to use, but we recommend going for a product that has been tested by your local bike store.
Final Verdict:
The big question is: “Do we need to replace the kid’s bike chain, or can we repair the chain?”. The answer depends on a few things, the make-up of the bike and most importantly, the severity of the damage.
In case you have a quick-release mechanism, then it’s easy to replace the chain without much fuss. You may choose to do this once or twice, but in the long run, it’s better to get a new chain and put it on there. It will save you time and money in the long run.
However never put your little baby is in a danger by taking any risk by fixing the bike chain if you are don’t aware to do its own. Do not take the risk, consult with a technician or experienced person if you need to fix your baby’s bike by yourself.
That’s all on how to fix a kids bike chain. If you have any more suggestions regarding our today’s suggestion-please do not feel shy to knock us.
Thank you.
