Mon 29 Jun 2009
Caring For Your Bicycle Chain - Why You Need To
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Almost every component of a bicycle is as important as the next. You wouldn’t be able to ride without pedals, handlebars, a stem or most other bike accessories for that matter. One element that is integral to the movement of the bike and the transition of power from the rider to the wheels is the chain. This incredible piece of engineering is utilized in equipment and machinery all over the world and is responsible for many different tasks. Chains however are prone to breaking down quickly if not cared for. Here are the 3 main reasons why you need to give your chain some regular TLC.
Long life.Due to the fact a chain is metal, it will always be prone to corrosion and rusting. Bike chains are even more prone to this as they are often exposed the elements quite a lot. After every time a bike is ridden the chain should be washed down well and then oil or a suitable lubricate should be applied to it. This will prevent any corrosion taking place and should also prevent the chain from ceasing up. You should not really every allow the chain to have more than a couple of links not moving optimally at any one time.
Damage to bike. If you do not look after the chain on your bike it will start to damage other component that are connected to it. Cranksets work in close connection with the chain and if the links are not moving freely or are damaged, this will cause the crankset to be bent out of shape. The derailleur of a bike is yet another important component that can pick up damage by a chain being in a bad condition. Racing bikes are even more prone to this their mechanisms are very finely tuned.
Rider harm. Last but not least, there can be serious damage done to a rider by a neglected chain. If enough links cease up then the chain can jam and sometimes bring the wheels to an abrupt stop. If you are riding at any sort of speed this can cause the rider to be thrown from the bike and receive untold injuries, especially if you are wearing fragile cycle clothing