Should i replace rusty bike chain

Stubborn buildup might need a vigorous scrubbing or buffing with the rag before it comes free. Soak chains with heavy grime and buildup in degreaser for 20 minutes. For severe buildup, you may need to soak your chain in degreaser. Fill a bottle with degreaser, allow the chain to soak in it for 20 minutes, then rinse the chain in a second bottle filled with hot water. Wear latex gloves when using a degreaser unless otherwise indicated on its label.

Scrub away light rust with steel wool wet with lime juice. This de-rusting technique can be rough on the hands, so slip on some latex gloves before you try it. Next, wet a piece of steel wool thoroughly with lime juice. Scrub rusted areas with the steel wool to remove rust, then wipe the surface clean with paper towel. Rust that is neutralized and scrubbed free may gunk up your steel wool. If this happens, rinse it in hot water, reapply the lime juice, and continue scrubbing.

When breaking up large amounts of rust, you may need to wipe the surface periodically so you can see how much rust is left on the surface. Rinse away lime juice with soapy water after removing rust. Lime juice contains a good amount of sugar.

Break up tough rust with WD and a wire brush. Spray WD directly onto the clean, rusted surfaces of your chain in sections. Allow this to sit for a moment so the solution can soak in. After that, take a wire brush and briskly scrub away the rust. WD should never be used to lubricate the chain of your bike.

You should only use a specially formulated bike lubricant for this purpose. Part 3. Replace the chain in the drivetrain. This process will depend on the kind of bike and chain you have. The pictures you took earlier of your drivetrain should be helpful. Thread one end of the chain through the drivetrain so it meets its opposite end at the top or bottom midpoint between the wheels.

Chain links should fit onto the points of gears and run smoothly through all component parts of the drivetrain. Refasten the master link. Use your fingers to bring the ends of the chain together at the midpoint between the wheels.

Slide the pin end-link into the slot of the opposite end-link. When properly refastened, the master link should align evenly with other links. If the master link is fastened unevenly, it could cause the chain to warp, ruining it. Check the motion of the chain. The chain should pass smoothly through the drivetrain.

If there is unnatural resistance or irregular noises from the chain like groaning, scraping, or grinding , you may have reinstalled the chain incorrectly. Many small errors can be corrected with your fingers while the chain is still on the bike.

In some cases, you may need to remove the chain completely and reinstall it from scratch. Lube the chain. A quality chain lube will protect your chain from further rusting and the buildup of grime.

Position the nozzle of the lube above the midpoint of the chain. While squeezing out a thin, steady stream, spin the wheels of the bike. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Chains that are warped or altered in shape due to deterioration may cause damage to the drive train of your bike.

Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1. Related wikiHows How to. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. I recently acquired a second-hand bike and decided to repair it: The chain and the freewheel cogs are in very poor condition and rusty as you can see in the pictures below:.

The bike has not been used for a year by the former owner. As I don't have that much knowledge about it;. I was wondering: Should I change the chain or repair it? If I have to repair them how can I achieve it? As long as the crank arms, chain and freewheel turn freely and all as one.

Without clunk's, slipping or sticking at any point there should be no need to replace any of it. The surface rust will not prevent it being fit for purpose and should wear off with use and some decent lubricant. You could always try a wire brush to remove surface rust without having to disassemble any parts and also just for reference if you do decide to change your "cassette" be advised that is a freewheel and not a cassette they are not interchangeable so avoid disappointment ordering a part that will not fit.

The part you would need to order if you decide to is a 7speed freewheel not a 7speed cassette. Does the chain move at all when you move the cranks? If some parts are rusted to a solid chunk it is done for. You may apply some wet lube, see if it moves. If it is rideable it may rub off surface rust. If the rollers are rusted inside and out doesn't flex properly replace it. I shouldn't push too hard wherever a snapped chain might get you into danger eg sprinting in traffic.

But that's probably not what you bought a rusted decathlon bike for. Of course you may always replace it. It's perhaps a good idea though to ride the bungee and see if it's worth investing into repairs.

Surface rust on sprockets and chain is not a problem, rust between chain plates and rollers is, as it prevents the chain from articulating properly. Apply liberal lube to chain, spin cranks, wait to let lube soak in, spin cranks.

Manually go around the whole chain flexing the links. If they are all relatively free moving you are OK. You may need to repeat the process. If there are particularly sticky links you can't get rid of replace the chain. The other concern is chain wear and elongation wear increases the play at each roller allowing the chain to elongate.

Chain wear gauges are cheap, or have your local bike repair shop check it. If it's substantially worn replace it. Was working on a bike not quite that bad yesterday. Starting off the chain was frozen solid. Most of the links freed up nicely, but there were about 8 stubborn ones. Since I didn't want to wait overnight for the ox acid to work further, or remove the chain so I could soak it, I used two pairs of pliers to flex the stubborn links, then a dash more ox.

Freed up nicely and worked smoothly after a treatment with the chain washer. Which leaves me wondering if I could have used ox in the chain washer. Additionally, a rusty bike chain can ruin your bike. It affects gear shifting and can even damage the drivetrain. The most dangerous aspect of cycling with a rusty bike chain is what happens when it does snap.

One day it will prove to be too much, causing the chain to snap. Making it dangerous for you if you are on the road or even a rougher country trail because it can result in you suddenly losing control of your bike.

It could put you into heavy traffic or into a ditch, which can leave you injured with no way home. There are two things you can do to fix your rusty bike chain.

The method you choose depends on how far gone your chain is. The first is to clean it thoroughly and then lubricate it. You can buy a chain cleaning device that you attach to the lower part of the chain. As you turn the cranks backwards, you draw the chain through brushes and a degreasing bath.

Find my favourite chain clear here from amazon. You can also clean a bike chain by hand. Necessary items include two nailbrushes with stiff bristles, aluminium foil and a degreaser.

Experts recommend the foaming type because it makes less of a mess. You want to spray the degreaser all over the chain. The nail brushes should be clamped around the chain side-to-side and then top to bottom.

Use the aluminium foil to rub any stubborn rust away, or wrap the aluminium foil in the brush to remove rust from those hard to reach areas. Rinse it clean with cold water, and then lubricate with chain oil and spray.

A worn and rusty chain may be stretched, and the bushings start wearing away. The chain should be replaced before the sprockets and chainrings start wearing down.

A chain that is 75 percent worn down should be replaced. You can use a chain gauge to measure wear and tear link here from amazon. Once you understand how to replace a bike chain, you can get the job done in as little as 15 minutes. You will need a new chain and a chain tool to do the work. You may have to lubricate the bike chain after every ride if it is rusty.

Eventually, it will look newer with additional care after every ride. Otherwise, it would help if you lubricated your chain once a week. Use a cloth to catch the extra lubricant and wipe away dirt in the chain. There are good, inexpensive bike chain lubricants available on Amazon, and muck off is my favourite bike cleaning kit. The lubricant and chain degreaser is the best on the market.