Nederlands | English | Deutsch | Türkçe

Project Sports

Questions and answers about sports

How can I shorten a new chain to a specific length if not all links are either master links or have a removable pin?

6 min read

Asked by: Jessica Robinson

How do I shorten a chain without a master link?

If you have a standard chain with no master link: Seat the chain in the chain tool, with the pin of the chain tool aligned with a pin in the chain. Turn the handle of the chain tool until you push the pin out far enough that you can break the chain.

How do you reduce the length of a chain?


Quote from video: You can do the same with a with a nail you can hammer out one of these pins. Just as good. But I guess this one is a little faster. It's coming now there we have it.

How do you shorten a new bike chain?

Quote from video: And drive those pins out allowing us to break our chain or reduce it by a number of set links now the reason you might want to do that is if you're fitting a new chain to your bike for example.

How do you make a chain link shorter?

Quote from video: So then what you have to do is go down to the other side kind of follow it down to the other side. Like this then what you want to do is check the other side also do the same thing.

Do all chains have a master link?

Do all bike chains have a master link? Nowadays, bicycle chains usually have a master link or quick-release link. It allows you to easily connect and disconnect your bike chain.

Why does my bike chain not have a master link?

Not all bikes have these links. They are most likely to be found on BMX bikes, single speed bikes or three-speed town bikes with internal gears. The more sprockets a bicycle has on its rear cassette, the narrower the chain must be and therefore the less room there is for this extra-wide master link.

Can a jeweler shorten a chain?

Shortening & Lengthening: Adjusting the length of your chain to fit your preferences isn’t too difficult for the average jeweler. For shortening a chain, the jeweler merely cuts the chain down to the requested length, reattaches the end portion (either the jump ring or the clasp) and solders everything shut.

How do you resize a chain necklace?

Quote from video: You would want to shorten the necklace. And bring the pendant. Up to the top of your chest. So these are pliers and wire cutters. So take it use the wire cutter. Snip the jump ring.

How do I know if my chain is too long?

Do a simple check on your bike by shifting the chain to the big chainring and the biggest cassette cog; then, push on the end of the derailleur cage (pushing forward) to see how much it will move forward. If it moves just a little, then you’re good. If it moves a lot, then you’ve got too much chain.

What tool do you use to shorten a bike chain?

A good chain breaker (sometimes known as a chain splitter or simply a chain tool) is an essential part of any home mechanic’s toolkit, enabling you to split old chains, shorten new ones and join those that use a pin rather than a quick-link.

How do you use a chain tool?

Quote from video: If you keep applying for slowly but gently eventually you'll push the rivet out and the chain will split. Just keep on rotating the handle. Until you push the rivet all the way through like.

How do I shorten a mountain bike chain without a tool?

Quote from video: Where you can actually then pound it through with a nail. Get one obviously smaller than the hole as soon as you get that ground off some light tap should get it to go through.

How many master links can you have on a chain?

More than one master link should be fine. The only issue I can see with this practice is having a few links of unworn chain inserted into a worn one which might cause problems – not a problem in your specific case as the chain is almost brand new.

What is a half link chain?

What is a Half-Link Chain? Unlike the full-link chain, the half-link chain allows you to remove just a single link; this is made possible through the half-link featuring both an external and internal end. The ability to remove one link allows for fine-tuning of rear wheel placement.

How do I remove a link from a master chain?

Quote from video: Against the back edge of the clip. Couple taps that's out that's the clip put it back in hold it there needle nose and that's it.

How do you cut a chain without a chain breaker?

Quote from video: Then we're going to tap that pin out with a hammer. You can see it's starting to come out as we tap. It so i've pushed the nail all the way through and popped the pin out you can see that's how it.

How do you cut a chain without a bolt cutter?

If you don’t have bolt cutters, use a hacksaw, angle grinder, or reciprocating saw instead. Secure the chain in a clamp or vise, then saw through 1 link. Keep sawing until both sides of the link are cut in two.

How do I make my chainsaw chain smaller?

Quote from video: Slot. Get it lined up. And you just crank the handle down and what that does is pushes the pin through breaking. And swedging thus wedging being the hammered.

What happens if bicycle chain too long?

A chain that’s too long (loose) may cause dropped chains and/or inconsistent shifting — front and back shifting. A chain that’s too short (tight) can cause even bigger problems.

How do I know if my chain is the right length?

Quote from video: So make sure that your front neck is up on the big chain ring and thread. It firstly around your biggest sprocket there at the rear wheel. Then through the front neck onto. The front chain ring.

Does chain length affect shifting?

In short, the wrong length derailleur cage will make determining proper chain length nearly impossible. Too much chain length and you’ll have shifting issues and suffer from dropped chains, but too little could rip your bike’s derailleur right off.