Fix a Bike Chain Without a Tool

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Video: Fix a Bike Chain Without a Tool

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Hello and welcome to VisiHow. Today I'm going to show you how to attach a chain using a chain link onto a mountain bike or touring bike.

1. 1
   The first step is to wrap the chain around the chain wheel that it was on when you took it off

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   Whichever gear it was in when it broke or you took it off.

   

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2. 2
   Next, feed the chain through the front derailleur, bringing it around to the rear cassette, once again placing it on the chain ring it was on before so it's in the right gear

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3. 3
   Next, we can pull the chain around onto the small cog

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   There is a small pin and the chain goes above the small pin and fits through there, then comes back around and wraps around the second small cog. After that, the chain is in place. Make sure that it hasn't slipped off the chain ring on the front.

   

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4. 4
   Now we need to reattach the chain using the chain link

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   This can be difficult for only one person because as you can see, the chain does not reach.

   

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5. 5
   A smart and simple trick to this is to use one foot where mine is to position the derailleur in an easier place to reattach the chain link

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6. 6
   Here, I can simply and easily attach the chain link

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   Once it has clicked into place I pull the chain to make sure the chain link is attached. Now the chain is in the correct position.

   

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7. 7
   You can check once more that the chain is on the right chain ring and that it hasn't slipped off

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   If it has, you can reattach it and reposition it using the same method as above. You can now rotate the pedals backward to make sure the chain is moving smoothly, efficiently and correctly.

   

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8. 8
   This is how to reattach a chain with a chain link to a mountain bike or touring bike

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   If you have any suggestions, comments or words of wisdom you'd like to share, then please leave them in the comment section below. Thank you for choosing VisiHow. Take care.

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Can I use a zip tie in place of a pin on a mountain bike chain?

I know that if this is possible that it wouldn't be long before I would have to get a proper fix, but I just need to buy some time to and from work for a few days. If this will not work adequately, do you have any other suggestions, keeping in mind that I have limited tools available

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