Mountain Biking - Chains

ok heres a question.. i need a new chain.. i bought one and it is longer than my old one.. but says its an 8speed chain. i put it on and it is really loose.. does anyone know why?? is there a way to adjust it.. or is it just the wrong chain..??

you need to "break" the chain. this requires a special tool. when you buy a new chain they're given to you very long so you have to take off the extra links to make it equal to your previous chain. by the way what chain is it that you just bought?

Yea either that or run it through the smallest cog and chainring and through the derrialeur and cut it where the tension is perfect.

Is your bike a 8 or 9 speed? If it is a 9 speed your chain is not going to work, 8 speed chains are wider than 9 speed chains.

If every thing matches IE 8 speed chain and 8 speed drivetrain, all you have to do is shorten it.

How Do You Know What The Right Tension Is?when I Use My Granny Gear My Chain Has A Tendency To Get Sucked Up Into The Front Sprocket When Climbing For Less Than Desirable Results.is This A Chain Too Loose Or Too Tight Or Worn Out Or What?it Is Clean And Lubed With Triflow And Still Does It But Only Under Stress Of Climbing.oh Yes It Can Be 1st Or Any Other Gear But Only In The Granny Front Gear.i Have Removed Some Links And It Is Not As Bad But 4 Links And It Still Does It And Did Not When New.it Is Deore Sprockets,der. And Not Sure What Kind Of Chain It Is(came With Bike)i Broke A Link Today So That Is Why There Are 4 Gone Now As Opposed To 2.i Could Not Get The Pin To Start And Was About 2 Miles From My Truck So I Just Removed It And The 1 Next To It So I Could Put It Back Together And Get Out Of There.never Fixed A Link In The Woods So It Was A Cool Learning Day!

iamthetas,

Sounds like you need a new chain. Have you checked your granny gear for any bends/broken teeth? This could cause that as well. If the small ring is ok, it's time for a new chain.

I Am Thinking A New Chain Too Cuz Gear Is Good On Front And Der.is Set Right.it Sucks Up Like It Will Not Let Go And It Is Not The Gear So I Was Not Sure Of Length -tension Thing.it Is 8 Speed.the Harder I Crank The More It Sticks. Grrr! Will Try New Chain And Will Buy At Lbs Not Online Cuz I Have No Idea What Correct Tension Is And Hope Owner Will Show Me.he Is Cool That Way.showed Me How To Install And Maintain Freewheel-cassette When I Got New Wheels.what Is A Good Chain That Goes With Deore Stuff Or Should I Leave That Up To Bike Shop?

Oh Yeah And Thanks For Your Help And Insite .i Really Do Appreciate Everyone Here For Their Knowledge And Willingness To Share.it Is A Rare Thing Today To Get Such Good Info Without The B.s.

P.S. Dont skimp on the chain. Get a SHIMANO HG-93 9SP CHAIN MTB/Road $16 or for 8 speed: SRAM PC-68 8SP CHAIN MTB $20