Maintaining your Bike Chain
Since this is the only mechanism for transferring power to your bike wheels, it is an important part of your bike. If you carry our correct bicycle chain maintenance your bike will serve you well. If you understand how to take care of your chain you will save yourself time and energy.
You should check your chain at least two times per month or after you ride it about 10 hours if you ride quite a bit. You also want to be sure to do a chain check if you have been riding in bad weather.
The first part of maintenance is a visual inspection. The chain should be replaced if it is rusted, tight, worn out, or the bike has been ridden more than 1000 miles on it. Prolonged wear on a chain will result in it stretching and this means it is more likely to break or jump off the gears wheels. A new or one in good conditions chain with 24 links should measure 12 inches. If it is too long by 1/16 of an inch or more, then it should be replaced so that it does not damage the chain ring or sprocket. The metal parts of the chain do not really stretch, but it gets longer because of the sleeves and pins wear and tear.
Cleaning a Bicycle Chain
A bicycle chain that is dirty will suffer from wear; it is like having sandpaper on it.
The first step us to look at the entire chain by lifting the rear wheel off the ground. The free hand should be used to rotate the pedals slowly backward, looking at each chain link for dirt build-up, rust and/or tight links. Tight links are ones that do not bend easily as they pass through the rear derailleur. You should listen for squeaks while riding, this may be a sign that you need to clean or lubricate the chain.
You can carry out a quick clean of the chain, simply brush out the links with a firm brush, like a toothbrush or something similar. You should then re-lubricate the links from time to time with a chain lubricant. Wipe off excess lubricant with a clean, dry rag to stop it picking up new dirt.
Every few months or so you should take the chain completely off the bike, give it good brush and soak it in chain solvent to get rid of dirt. The chain should then be dried using a clean rag and the chain left to allow the solvent to evaporate. The chain should then be re-lubricated and put back on the bike.
Lubricating the Bicycle Chain
The life of the chain can be prolonged by regular lubrication. A drop of lubricant drop should be introduced into each chain pin. This will take a little time, but it will increase the life of your chain.
Take note that too much lubricant can cause as many problems as not enough. You should leave the lubricant on the chain for about 15 minutes and then wipe the excess off with a clean rag. This reduces the chance of the chain catching dirt and grime while riding. It will also keep your chain in tip-top condition.
Many people use WD-40 Peal Power does not recommend using WD-40 on your bike. It is a paraffin-based liquid which will clean your chain but not lubricate it. It is better to use the correct chain oil that is specially formulated for bike chains.