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How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain

Introduction

Slipped bike chains may be caused by several different problems including poor shifting technique, the chain being too long, or a worn out chain or rear casters.

What you need

  1. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain, How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 1, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain, How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 1, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain, How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Before getting off the bike, downshift bike into lowest front gear (using the left shifter).

    • Being in the lowest front gear means the chain will be riding on the largest chain ring.

    • Continue pedaling. This step alone may realign the chain.

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  2. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 2, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 2, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • If Step 1 did not work, get off the bike and lift the rear tire while spinning the pedals with your hand.

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  3. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • If Step 2 is not enough, push rear derailleur forward to release tension on the chain.

    • Lift the chain and put it back on the chain ring.

    • Turn the pedals with your hand while lifting the rear wheel to realign the chain (as in Step 2).

    • Bike chains are very greasy and your hands will get messy. Use a pair of latex gloves, if available, or use a twig or leaf if you can.

    • This step may take several attempts, but it will work eventually.

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  5. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • If you experience a lot of slipped chains, your chain might be too long. In this case, you will need to use a chain breaker.

    • Put the chain on the outer chain guide of the chain breaker.

    • Turn the handle on the chain breaker to push the chain pin part of the way out.

    • This step may take quite a bit of force so don't be afraid that you are going to break something if the pin seems stuck.

    • Do not push the pin all of the way out or else it will be nearly impossible to put back together.

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  6. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 5, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 5, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the chain breaker by backing up the drive pin.

    • Pull the chain apart.

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  7. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 6, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 6, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat Steps 4-5 to remove a link:

    • There are two parts to one link (one is narrow and one is wide). Both need to be removed for the chain to fit back together again.

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  8. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 7, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 7, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • If the chain fell off the rear derailleur, it needs to be re-fed through the proper pulleys.

    • Feed the chain along the guide pulley (the highest of the two pulleys).

    • Thread the chain inside the derailleur cage in between the tension and guide pulley.

    • Thread the chain in front of the tab.

    • Then, thread the chain over the tension pulley.

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  9. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 8, image 1 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 8, image 2 of 3 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • To rejoin the chain, align the open ends of the chain.

    • Put the chain on the outer guide of the chain breaker with the pin facing the driving pin.

    • Turn the driving pin until the pin is equally spaced in between the face plates like all of the other links.

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  10. How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 9, image 1 of 2 How to Fix a Slipped Bicycle Chain: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Wiggle the link you just reattached. If it's too stiff, continue on to the next part.

    • Put the chain on the inside guide of the chain breaker and turn the driving pin just a little. Check as you go along and continue until proper looseness is achieved.

    • As before, do not push the pin all the way out.

    Edit
Conclusion

If your chain continues to slip, the chain or cogs are probably worn out. Have a local mechanic look at your bike and determine which needs to be replaced. If it's the chain, visit this guide <Triace A310 Chain Replacement>

22 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 3 other contributors

Keely Thompson

Member since: 02/24/15

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 23-3, Green Winter 2015 Member of Cal Poly, Team 23-3, Green Winter 2015

CPSU-GREEN-W15S23G3

6 Members

13 Guides authored

5 Guide Comments

A guide to indicators if cogs are worn would have also been helpful. Many of us ride a bike due to financial constraints, employing local mechanic may not be possible (I certainly can't afford that). A brilliant guide otherwise, thank you.

evocrim - Reply Share

Thanks for the information. How do I know how long the new chain should be. Hint, don't have broken one.

Kenneth Silvestri - Reply Share

I have a chain guide on my bike only now that the chain is off, I can’t seem to lift the chain onto the top of the chain ring as the guide is blocking this.

judith brough - Reply Share

I need help fixing the ring of my mountain bike please

N/A - Reply Share

Poor chain condition is one of the most common causes of a bike chain slipping when pedaling hard. An old chain has stretched out from use leading to its dropping and you will need to be replaced a new one.

Dalton - Reply Share

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