General Cycling Discussion - How do you fix a dropped chain?

I would like to know how most bikers fix a dropped chain while riding? Do you get off the bike and put it back on or can you stay on the bike while riding and reach down and put the chain back on the chain ring? Or can you use your foot to put the chain back on? Thanks

I typically turn around and face backwards while riding. I find it easier to bend over and grab the chain and place it back on the chainring. I also slow down my pedaling to keep from pinching my fingers.

If the chain drops, I stop.

I just shift to the largest ring and let the derailer pull the chain back into place.

It depends on where you drop it. You might be able to spin it back on.

I usually unclip with one foot and then try and wiggle out of my shoe. From that point, i use my toes to try and put the chain back on. This is a very quick and easy method.

:) Interesting first post. Can't wait to see more.

It depends on where you drop it. You might be able to spin it back on.Yeah, I usually just shift it back on. If it drops off the inside, I just shift into the big-ring and lightly and slowly pedal to bring it back on. If it drops off the outside, I shift into the small-ring and slowly spin it back on. On the outside's usually easier because the crankarm will usually guide the chain up as well. Very rarely do I ever drop a chain, and I usually never have to stop to put it back on.

I just get off and put it back on with my hands. I've been working on bikes since I was little and I'm pretty used to having black fingertips :p

I usually unclip with one foot and then try and wiggle out of my shoe. From that point, i use my toes to try and put the chain back on. This is a very quick and easy method.

How many toes do you have right now? And how many got eaten by the various chains you put back on? :)

I usually unclip with one foot and then try and wiggle out of my shoe. From that point, i use my toes to try and put the chain back on. This is a very quick and easy method.

This sounds bogus to me; how would you wiggle out of your shoe when it is unclipped. I bet he leaves the shoe clipped in :D

I usually stop and grumble while putting my chain back on. Then I look for someone to pat on the back.

Yeah, I usually just shift it back on. If it drops off the inside, I just shift into the big-ring and lightly and slowly pedal to bring it back on. If it drops off the outside, I shift into the small-ring and slowly spin it back on. On the outside's usually easier because the crankarm will usually guide the chain up as well. Very rarely do I ever drop a chain, and I usually never have to stop to put it back on.

Ditto.

If you use the front mech to nudge the chain back on you need to be spinning fairly freely, either on a flat or downhill. It doesn't work going uphill.
It works even without any pins or ramps on the rings but these do help.

I get off my bike and pull it back on with my hands. I try to wipe my hands on a nearby lawn.

OK, now if you have shifters on the end of aero bars and going up a hill you shift the big chain ring to the small chain ring but the chain falls to the inside of the small chain ring how do you put it back on? Remember momentum goes down while going up hill when you stop pedaling.

I just shift it back on while pedaling...

what is the big deal ????

dropped chains shift back on 99% of the time

OK, now if you have shifters on the end of aero bars and going up a hill you shift the big chain ring to the small chain ring but the chain falls to the inside of the small chain ring how do you put it back on? Remember momentum goes down while going up hill when you stop pedaling.

turn around, go downhill, shift it back on, turn back around, stand up,
go anaerobic, sprint, then proceed normally up hill


lose less time this way

OK, now if you have shifters on the end of aero bars and going up a hill you shift the big chain ring to the small chain ring but the chain falls to the inside of the small chain ring how do you put it back on? Remember momentum goes down while going up hill when you stop pedaling.

You get off.

Also, you adjust your derailleur so that rarely, if ever happens, especially uphill.

But the chain is totally off the ring and sitting on the tube of the cranks. I guess I'll have to try and shift the gears. Thanks for the tip.

But the chain is totally off the ring and sitting on the tube of the cranks. I guess I'll have to try and shift the gears. Thanks for the tip.

turn around go downhill slowly...ride the brakes

and gently shift it up. it will snagle and complain but eventually come up


this only works with non-worn-out rings and chains

OK, now if you have shifters on the end of aero bars and going up a hill you shift the big chain ring to the small chain ring but the chain falls to the inside of the small chain ring how do you put it back on? Remember momentum goes down while going up hill when you stop pedaling.This could also be caused by cross-chaining in the big-ring before shifting into the small ring. The extra lateral pull from the bent chain makes it jump off the small ring when you shift. Better to get into the small ring at the bottom of the hill before you hit it. Shift down into smaller rear-cogs to match. This then gives you a a wider range of gears to use on the hill without needed a front chainring shift on a hill.

I strip down to my loincloth and run around my dead beast performing a ritual dance in order to appease the cycling gods who I must have pissed off. Then I sacrifice 2 goats and a chicken.

Seriously, I stop and put it back on. I can hurt myself walking on a clean carpeted floor. No need to tempt fate.

Depends upon the type of drop. Once you get good you see that some drops can be reversed. I've not dropped a chain in forever. I think its ones onf those things that you pick up more "immunity" the longer you ride. Like in an RPG game where you reach another level.

Congratulations you have leveled.
Chain Dropping Immunity + 75

I strip down to my loincloth and run around my dead beast performing a ritual dance in order to appease the cycling gods who I must have pissed off. Then I sacrifice 2 goats and a chicken.

Seriously, I stop and put it back on. I can hurt myself walking on a clean carpeted floor. No need to tempt fate.

:D :D :D

I usually get it back on by swearing at it in loud and angry tones. Kinda scares it back on. I'll let you know when it actualy works.

stop bike by stick, saw grass or suitable road trash. use item to place chain back on ring. Hands clean.
QED.

dude at the bike shop just chopped a fingertip off in his chainrings/chain combo...pretty impressive.

IF (BIG IF) I drop a chain:

1) Either skid to a stop, or suddently coasting with no brakes
1a) Skid, unclip, hit side of the road
1b) Really hope that there's a way out of whatever is in front of me (and that I'm not going downhill), hit the side of the road
2) Take off my bag, pull out my latex gloves that I steal from work. No grease here.
3) Loosen track nuts, spin chain back on, tension
4) Find a garbage can for the gloves
5) Continue ride

Track bikes are fun :D

Carry your tools or spare tube in an old sock in you seat bag. (Thus making the tools quiet or the tube less likely to be cut when you need it) Put the old sock over your hand when fussing with the chain, it will do wonders for the black finger look. Stop when working on the chain, new finger tips are largely unobtainable and expensive.

I usually stop and put it back on by hands. I'm quite fond of my nine fingers, so I won't try putting it back on while riding...

Though I have managed to put it back on by lifting the chain with my foot and pedal slowly at the right moment. Now why didn't I tihnk of that when I bought the new, SILVER shoes...

[e] maddmaxx, Thanks for the idea with the old sock, that has saved me some serious hand-washing today... :)

If the chain falls, hit your crotch very hard against the top tube and call someone to pick you up

But the chain is totally off the ring and sitting on the tube of the cranks. I guess I'll have to try and shift the gears. Thanks for the tip.
Check that your derailleur limit screws are well adjusted so the chain can't easily fall inside. If you have a triple, don't shift across from big to small quickly.