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84
GEARS
CHAIN
CHAIN MAINTENANCE
It still holds true that proper lubrication makes for
enjoyable riding. What counts is, however, not the
quantity, but the distribution and regular application
of lubricant.
Clean your chain from dirt and lubricant with an oily
rag from time to time. There is no need to use spe-
cial degreasers.
Having cleaned the chain as thoroughly as possible,
apply chain oil, wax or grease to the chain links.
To lubricate the chain, drip the lubricant onto the
rollers while you turn the crank.
This done, pedal through several chain lengths and
then let the chain rest for a few minutes so that the
lubricant can disperse.
Finally rub off excess lubricant with a rag so that it
does not spatter around or attract dirt during riding.
Clean the chain from dirt and oil with a rag
Clean the chain as thoroughly as possible and apply lubricant
For the sake of the environment, only use
i
biodegradable lubricants. Bear in mind
that some of the lubricant will always end up on
the ground, especially in wet conditions.
Make sure the braking surfaces of the rims
and the brake pads remain clear of lubri-
cants, as the brakes will fail otherwise!
CHAIN WEAR
Although the chain is one of the wearing components
of your Canyon, there are still ways of influencing its
service life. Make sure the chain is lubricated regu-
larly, especially after riding in the rain. Try to only use
gears which allow a more or less straight run of the
chain. Get in the habit of pedalling at a high cadence
(more than 60 to 70 strokes/minute).
With road bikes chains running on derailleur gears
are worn out after about 1,200 to 4,000 km (740 to
2,480 miles). Heavily stretched chains impair the
operation of derailleur gears. Cycling with a worn-out
chain also accelerates the wear of the sprockets and
chainrings. Replacing these components is relatively
expensive compared with the costs of a new chain. It
is therefore advisable to check the condition of the
chain at regular intervals.
For this purpose run the chain on the large chain-
ring. Take the chain between your thumb and index
finger and try to lift it off the teeth. If you can lift it
off clearly, it is seriously lengthened and in need of
replacement.
There are accurate measuring instruments for pre-
cise chain inspection. Replacing the chain should be
left to an expert, as most of the modern chains are
not equipped with a master link. Instead they have a
continuous design and require special-purpose tools
for mounting. If you need help, ask a dealer to select
and mount a chain appropriate to your gear system.
CHAIN
GEARS
85
Check condition of chain
Professional wear measurement
An improperly riveted chain can break,
possibly throwing you off your bike. Let
your chain be replaced by an experienced me-
chanic.
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