Chain Wear; Adjusting The Chain Tension Of Single Speed Bicycles - Canyon road bike Manual

68 GEARS CHAIN

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.
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.
ADjUSTING THE CHAIN TENSION OF SINGLE SPEED
BICYCLES
THE GEARS - HOW THEY WORk AND HOW TO USE
THEM
So-called singlespeed bicycles, such as the V-Drome,
have only one gear and therefore have neither rear
nor front derailleur. furthermore, they have a fixed
hub.
In the case of these models the rear wheel sprocket
is directly connected to the rear wheel. This makes
the pedals rotate with every movement of the rear
wheel – and vice versa. These bicycles often do not
have brakes.
CHECkING AND READjUSTING
The chain tension of singlespeed bicycles has to be
checked and retensioned, if necessary, approx. every
1,000 km (620 miles) or 50 hours of use.
Turn the crank backwards and try to find the position
with the strongest chain tension. If in this position
you can lift the chain midways between chainring and
sprocket by more than 1 cm, you should retension the
chain.
Release the rear wheel axle bolts or nuts with an ap-
propriate tool. Adjust the chain tension by pulling the
rear wheel to the rear or by releasing/tightening the
chain tensioner. Subsequently, you should be able to
rotate the crank without resistance.
Adjust the rear wheel in the centre of the rear drop-
outs by using, if necessary, the chain adjuster as limit
stop. Tighten the rear wheel axle nuts with a torque
wrench.
CHAIN GEARS 69
Singlespeed
Please check, whether the usage of
singlespeed bicycles without brakes is
permitted on public roads according to the High-
way Code!
Chain adjusters only serve to tension the
chain and to pre-adjust the rear wheel.
They do not fix the wheel in its position or avoid
its slipping out.
If the chain is seriously lengthened, it must
be replaced.