If you have some problems with your bike chain, you may even wonder if you could, potentially, do without it…
Can You Ride A Bike Without A Chain?
While you could certainly coast downhill, unless the chain is driving your wheels, you aren’t going to go anywhere otherwise. There are exceptions, of course – chainless bike models are certainly available and will allow you to travel without a chain by design.
Excepting these, however, with a snapped chain your best bet is to simply walk the bike back home so that you can put a replacement chain on it or simply remove the wheels, pack it in your car, and get it to the shop for a new chain.
Why does a bike need a chain?
The bicycle chain works in conjunction with your pedals so that it may transfer the power to the drive wheel of your bicycle. Without it, you’re just pedaling in circles, as the chain working with the drive wheel is the key to your propulsion.
The chains themselves will typically be made of carbon, steel, or even nickel-plated to provide pleasing aesthetics while also helping to keep rust at bay.
Are chainless bikes better?
Chains are usually going to be the preferred option. There’s a reason why bike design hasn’t done away with the chain for such a long time – it is simply the most efficient means of propulsion. While chainless bikes are available, they are much heavier and you’ll have to get used to a much stiffer frame.
As such, they are generally more of a novelty than anything for most users, at least until they can lighten up the design to match the weight and power of the current chain standard in the cycling market.
What do you do if your chain falls off your bike?
It’s a good idea to have a basic tool kit with you when you go cycling, and the rare-but-occasional chain drop is a very good example of why. If you’ve got the tools, when your chain is dislodged then unless it is warped, you can simply remove the back wheel and pop it back into place.
If the chain is damaged, however, then it is best to simply remove the chain completely so that you can get a replacement from your garage or local shop before getting back on your bike.
What happens if your chain breaks while riding?
If your chain snaps while you are riding, it won’t affect any coasting unless it manages to lodge partially in the wheel, in which case you will be in for a painful, sudden stop or a quick ‘jerking’ motion as the jammed component becomes further damaged.
In some cases, only the chain will break and it won’t get caught in anything, in which case you’ll simply find yourself pedaling furiously with no power being generated.
You’ll want to immediately stop riding to assess the damage before getting it back home to your garage for home or professional replacement of the chain and any damaged components.
Can bikes move without pedaling?
No, your bike isn’t going to move much without pedaling, unless you are looking at a downhill coast. While the wheels can still turn, the chain is what powers your back wheel, so without pedaling you won’t be generating any power from moving the chain.
The bike won’t get ‘stuck’ in a stop or anything like that, it just needs you to pedal to generate power to move the back wheel, otherwise, there is no natural propulsion.
How much does a new chain cost?
It depends on your bike. A standard road bike, for instance, will likely only cost you about $15 as far as chain replacement goes. If your bike is higher-end, then a replacement chain could be anywhere from $25 to $60.
The good news is that the more expensive chains are generally much more durable and they can even increase the quality of your shift, so if you need to replace one then it will likely be a good, long time before you’ll need to do it again.
How much does a new bike chain cost?
Brand new, a bike chain could be anywhere from $15 up to $60, although it’s going to depend on your specific bike.
When you are purchasing a bike, it’s a good idea to ask in advance – while you can sometimes get a deal on an ‘off-brand-bike’, if they use a proprietary chain then it could be expensive to replace in the future. Thankfully, it is rare that this happens, but it is always a good idea to ask just in case.
How much does it cost to change a chain on a bike?
Usually, you will be looking at a flat fee of $10 to $20 for chain replacement, plus the actual price of the replacement chain. If you already have an extra chain, you can put it on yourself if you are comfortable removing the back wheel, or simply bring it with you to the shop to get it done professionally.
As long as you are bringing the chain with you, then it shouldn’t cost more than $20 to replace unless you have an antique or rather unique bike that needs the work.
What causes a chain to fall off?
Despite how solid they look, chains do succumb to standard wear and tear over time, just like any other part would. Typically, the most common problem is simply that the chain is wearing thin from the friction that comes with standard use.
Yes, it is oiled, but it interfaces with the teeth of your gears and eventually, this will degrade the chain.
Other common problems with chains include a chainring tooth becoming bent, a link may become bent or simply too stiff, or you could even just have mud or other debris that has become lodged in it.
If you get into the habit of cleaning and oiling the chain once every week (or every 100 miles) then this will go a long way towards keeping it in good shape, although you will typically need to replace your chain every 2000-3000 miles.