At A Glance
Knowing how to tighten your mountain bike chain can come in handy when you’re stuck on a mountain trail with a loose chain on your hands. Here are three ways you can do it yourself.
Introduction
You’ve finally mastered how to go into those corners correctly, but fixing a loose chain still gets the best of you. We’re here to help you with it.
Whether you want to learn how to fix a loose mountain bike chain or tighten your mountain bike (MTB) chain, we’ve got the answers.
Curious? Read on!
Tighten MTB Chain by Removing Chain Links
Got a loose chain while out on a bike trail? The biggest worry on your mind might be, ‘how to tighten my bike chain?’
Don’t worry, there’s an easy technique that you can use even when you’ve got no repair shop in sight. All you need to get started is a powerlink splitter and a chain tool.
But first, make sure to check the derailleur, chainring, and other parts of your bike for damage. Ensure that the damaged parts aren’t causing your chain to loosen.
Take a picture to remember how your chain is set before you start. It will help you remember how the chain looked when you want to reroute it again.
To get started,
- Flip it upside down and rest it on the handlebars and seat.
- Shift the chain into the smallest gears to create more slack on the chain.
- Find the powerlink on the chain by rotating the pedals.
- Use a powerlink splitter to unlink the powerlink. Make sure not to push them out all the way.
- Take out 1 to 2 links at once from the chain.
- Reroute your chain through the chainrings.
- Attach the powerlinks and link them together with the rest of the chain.
- Push the links to lock them in place.
- Rotate the pedal anticlockwise to adjust the chain on the chainrings.
Tighten MTB Chain by Moving the Rear Wheel
Got more time and aren’t stuck on a trail?
Try these alternate methods to learn how to tighten MTB chain by adjusting the rear wheel.
Method 1
- Place your MTB on a repair stand and secure it in place.
- Rotate the derailleur/B-tension screw in an anticlockwise direction using an Allen tool. The screw will be located at the back of the derailleur.
Note: Rotating the screw clockwise increases tension in the chain, whereas rotating the screw in an anticlockwise direction decreases it.
- Slowly lift the release lever located on the brakes. This will disconnect the hydraulic cable.
- Raise the quick-release lever positioned in the center of the rear wheel.
- Decrease the tension in the chain by sliding the wheel axle back into the dropouts. This way, you will be able to remove the wheel without derailing the chain.
- Adjust your rear wheel to tighten the chain.
- Adjust the tension in the chain.
- Lower the quick-release lever.
Method 2
- Secure your MTB in place by placing it on a repair stand or flip it upside down and rest it on the handlebars.
- Loosen the axle nuts holding the rear tires in place. This will help you adjust the tension in the chain.
- Slowly pull back on the rear tire to increase the tension of the chain.
- Once the tightness is right, adjust the tire in position.
- Tighten the rear axle nuts.
- Check the chain to make sure it is tight enough. It should be able to move only about half an inch.
How Tight Should the Chain on Your MTB Be?
A bike chain is perfectly taut if it moves only half an inch in any direction.
Final Thoughts
Aging, stress, improper use, or accidents can all push your chain out of shape. However, these simple tricks can help you get more life out of your bike chain.
That’s all you need to know to learn how to tighten a mountain bike chain.
Think you’ve got a better solution?
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