How to Add Links to Bicycle Chains

Adding or subtracting links from a bicycle chain isn't easy without knowledge. It isn't supposed to be. You have no reason to add links to a chain unless you have damaged it or broke it. This happens when you are riding, and most often miles from home. The skill to fix a chain builds your self-confidence and your aptitude to travel farther. Breaking or damaging a chain on your bike while riding a lonely stretch of blacktop or deep in a remote canyon is fairly common. But with the aid of a small tool and your own two hands, you can remove the damaged links, add new ones, and be on your way in no time at all.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle
  • Chain breaker tool
  • Universal link
  • 4mm Allen wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Study and memorize the pattern of the chain through the derailleur if it is still on the bike. Pull the chain free of the bike. Retrieve your chain breaker tool, Allen wrench and spare link from your bike pack. Get off the highway or trail and find a place to sit down out of traffic. Turn the bike upside down.

    • 2

      Find the broken or damaged link. There will be one or two links with an open hole where the pin has come loose or completely broke and fell out leaving both ends of the chain with open holes where they join.

    • 3

      Identify the male end of the chain link---the link that slips inside the legs of the receiver. Don't do anything to this link, put it down and pick up the other end of the chain.

    • 4

      On the opposite side of the female link there will be an pin holding the outer legs of the links together. Place this end of the link in the receiver of the chain breaker tool, positioning the piston of the chain breaker tool directly above the pin. Finger-tighten the piston of the chain breaker.

    • 5

      Using a 4mm Allen wrench tighten the piston of the chain breaker clockwise pushing the pin down and out of the link. The outer legs of the bad link will fall away, discard them. Both ends of the chain are now identical.

    • 6

      Get out your universal link. Open the pack and hold both pieces in one hand. Thread the chain back through the gears of the bike until the ends of the chain are together. Push one pin of the universal link up through the bottom on one side, and push the other pin of the universal link down from the top on the other side completing the connection. Snap them into place.

    • 7

      Get back on your bike and check to make sure that you have engaged the chain with the gears. Use pedal force to tighten the chain, permanently locking the added link in place.