Views: 27 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-12-05 Origin: Site
The components will ultimately wear out if you ride your ebike for an extended period. After a significant number of miles, a ebike chain will "stretch" and need to be replaced.
The chain is not extending; instead, the pins that connect the links are wearing down, causing the length of the chain to lengthen as a result. A stretched chain accelerates the wear on your ebike's cassette and chain rings, so it's good to replace your chain when you observe substantial stretch, which is around every 750 to 1,000 miles on the road. It is far less expensive to replace a chain than to change a cassette or chainrings.
To check your chain for excessive stretch, use a chain wear tool. Hook one end over one roller (or pin) in your chain. The other end will either come to rest on top of the chain or you will be able to insert it in the opening between two rollers. If it drops between the rollers, it means your chain is stretched and should be replaced.
Chain wear tools have stamped-in numbers indicating how worn your chain is. A reading of 0.5 to 0.75 means you should replace your chain. A reading of 0.75 or higher means you not only need to replace your chain, but you should also check the condition of your cassette and chainrings to see if the stretched chain has caused excessive wear to these parts.
Another way to check for chain stretch is to measure the chain with a ruler or tape measure. On a new chain, 12 full links (measuring from pin to pin) will measure exactly 12 inches long. If the 12 links measure 12 1/8 inches or more, you need to replace the chain.
You may also use the information provided below when fixing or shortening an existing ebike chain or chainring.
To fix a broken or bent chain, you will need to remove it from your bike AND remove the broken or bent links. To do that, you will need a chain breaker tool. But if you are on the side of the road or trail, you will probably want something a little more compact. Most multi-tools will come with a chain breaker attachment, make sure yours has one before you leave the house!
If you notice your derailleur skipping and you are unable to stay in one gear while pedaling, you probably bent your chain. Although you might be able to ride home like this, it would be a little obnoxious and your chain could actually jump off the cassette entirely and break or bend your derailleur! If you have a set of pliers on hand, it is possible to bend the chain back and make it home. If you don’t have pliers, you’ll need to remove the bad section of chain. If your chain breaks completely, it usually snaps as you are putting effort into the pedal or if you apply force in another way, like landing a jump.
Stop riding and flip your bike over. This is the easiest way to assess the damage, as you can easily pedal the bike forward to find the culprit of your issues.
If the chain is bent and still attached to the bike, remove the chain using a chain breaker tool as close to the compromised part of the chain as possible. Push the pin all the way through, as you will toss this section of the chain.
You do not have to remove the chain completely from the bike to fix a broken chain, but it can be a little cumbersome to kneel over the bike to fix it. If you remove the chain completely from the drivetrain, lay a piece of cloth you don’t really mind getting greasy on the ground to prevent your chain from getting super dirty.
By bending the chain in your hands, you can figure out how much of the chain is damaged.
Make sure you have a roller on the opposite end and the pin you are about to push through will leave you with two outer plates.
Using your chain breaker tool, begin to push the pin through. Be careful to not push the pin all the way through the outer plate. You should be able to remove the damaged chain without letting the pin fall out completely.
Thread the chain back through your derailleur and line up the pin on your tool with the pin in the chain. Slowly and carefully drive the pin back into the link to connect the chain. Check with the other links to make sure you pushed the pin in completely, but not too far through the link.
Wiggle the chain back and forth with your hands to work out any stiffness in the newly installed link.
You’re good to go!
Instead of replacing the ebike chain, maintenance is key, so cleaning and lubrication are crucial. It will make the chain last longer.
Chain cleaning should be done frequently. After every ride, you can quickly wipe surface dirt off the chain with a clean cotton rag. If the chain is more filthy, you can use a nylon brush to scrub the chain with hot water and liquid soap, but make sure that you lubricate it afterward. If the chain is super filthy, removing it from the bike and soaking it in a solvent (for example, Kerosene) makes sense.
The most thorough way to clean the chain is by removing it from the bike and soaking it in a degreasing solvent. With so-called quick links (which most modern chains have), removal and reinstallation can be done in seconds.
Always make sure to dry and lube the chain after cleaning, wiping away any excess lube.
Blow is our Merry Gold Ebike with chain guard. It protect the chain and improve the sustainability.
If you live near the beach where sand can get into your drivetrain or if you live in a wet environment where rain routinely flushes away your chain lube, making your chain rusty, keep a closer eye on the condition of your chain. Nothing will stop you dead in your tracks like a broken chain. A metallic snap followed by the chain falling onto the trail below will send a sinking feeling to your stomach. If you know how to fix a broken chain and have the right tools, you can get back to riding relatively quickly.
