How to Change or Repair a Ebike Chain

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.

You may also use the information provided below when fixing or shortening an existing ebike chain or chainring.

What is the best way to tell whether your chain is worn?

One telltale symptom of a worn-out chain is decreased performance in shifting and maybe an increase in noise; if your chain skips under load (when sprinting or climbing), it is undoubtedly time to replace it! A skipping chain may cause harm; thus, you should change it as soon as possible.

What is the most accurate way to measure bike chain wear?

There are a few quick and easy techniques to determine whether or not your chain is worn or strained.

The most sophisticated and accurate approach to assessing ebike chain wear is to use a chain measure instrument to measure the chain. We recommend that you use the Park Instrument CC-3.2 chain measurement tool. It's straightforward to use, and it's also quite affordable.

Ebike Chain Parts and Tools

Chain wear tool: A standard chain wear tool has one end that hooks over one roller (or pin) in your chain and the other end that fits into the hole between two rollers of your chain. The gadget will display a series of numbers that will show how worn your chain is and if it is time to replace your chain.

New chain: Chains are designed to work at a specified pace. For example, if you have a 9-speed ebike, you should get a 9-speed replacement chain. Higher-end chains may be coated with specific coatings to prevent corrosion, or they may be constructed entirely of stainless steel rather than standard steel.

Replacement Pin or Master Link: New chains will come with either a new pin or a specialised link known as a master link to join the two ends of the chain together. Replacement pins and master links are available separately. Replacement pins and master links are available separately if you are fixing an existing chain; they should be compatible with the speed and brand of the chain you are replacing.

An appropriate chain tool will be required if your chain has standard links since this will enable you to quickly remove an old pin and replace it while breaking and reconnecting your chain.

The use of master link pliers will save you time and effort if you have a chain connected with a master link. These pliers make it easier to detach and rejoin the master link.

How Do Chains Function?

Each link in a chain is kept together by a steel pin/peg made of steel. Using the chain tool (or a hammer), you may push out and push in the pins, which will enable you to remove or connect links to the chain as necessary. To repair a damaged chain, you must first remove the broken link and reconnect the other ends. There are enough spare links on ebikes with derailleurs that you can easily remove a few of them without causing an issue. A single-speed ebike will most likely not have enough slack in the chain to allow for the removal of a link; instead, you will need to borrow some links from an old chain or purchase a new one.

What Should I Do If My Chain Breaks?

Are you dressed in well-fitting clothing that you take pride in? If possible, secure your ebike and take the bus back home instead. Come back later with your old jeans, and we'll take care of the problem there. Repairing a chain is the dirtiest chore you can do while riding a ebike.

Step 1: Consider the chain

Okay, you've returned and are ready to go. Turn your ebike over to get to the chain more readily on the other side.

Pay close attention to the two broken ends. One end (or potentially both) of the cable is damaged and must be removed. You'll be removing two chain segments from the damaged end of the chain; because the two sorts of segments alternate, you must delete two segments rather than one. If you take out one part, you won't be able to reattach it.

Insert the chain into the groove of the chain tool at the location where you wish to disconnect it. If you're replacing a worn but not broken chain, you'll use the same procedure as described above.

Step 2: Disassemble the Chain

To begin pulling the pinout of the chain, turn the screw on the chain tool until it engages. Keep the pin on the chain tool aligned with the pin on the chain; they tend to move about a little.

Don't remove the pin from the hole! Only go as far as you need to for the chain to break. This final piece of the pin must remain in place to put it back in at a later time.

If you don't have access to a chain tool, you may use a piece of wood to drill a hole in it and set the pin you wish to remove above it. Find a machine screw about the same size as the chain pin and use it as a peg to pound the chain pin out with a hammer until it comes out. It's difficult because you don't want to bash your head on the wall.

Step 3: Reattach the Links

Okay, now it's time to reattach the chain to the sprockets. It will be beneficial to have a companion who can hold the two ends in place while you rejoin them.

Push the pin back into the hole using the chain tool. It is the most challenging element of the process to maintain the tool aligned with the pin. Please keep in mind that if you are installing a new chain in this location, many new chains come with a specific link that allows the first-time installation easy without pressing any pins in.

Step 4: Let It Hang Loose

As soon as the pin is inserted, the link you have just joined will become firm. Make a series of back and forth motions until it becomes flexible enough to bend around the gears. Feel good about your hands as you gaze at them. You've accomplished something worthwhile today.

Step 5: Reuse what you have.

In the comfort of your own home, you've now acquired an old, worn-out chain to recycle! Because you know how to disassemble and reassemble pieces of a chain, you may use a section of the old chain as a cable to secure your seat to your ebike's frame. This is especially useful in metropolitan areas.