Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Bike Chain Tangled
#1
Hi all, new to the site and to bike maintenance in general, so forgive me if this is a novice question. I was riding my bike around town earlier today when the chain slipped off of the back gear. Now it has two "knots" in it where it curves back in on itself, and I have no idea how to get it back to normal. Any advice or techniques you guys can offer me will be much appreciated.

[broken_image]
[broken_image]
[broken_image]
[broken_image]
  Reply
#2
If the chain never came off the bike, it is just a matter of playing with it until you get it untangled. If it is really tight and hard to untangle, you may want to remove the chain and then straighten it out, but that should be your last result. I have never seen a chain that can't be untangled while still on the bike.

If you need to remove your chain, you will need to look at it carefully. Some chains have quick-connect master links that allow you to remove the chain without a chain tool. If your chain does not have a quick-connect master link, then you will need a chain tool to remove the chain.

BTW, your photo links are broken.
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe...Ride Hard...Ride Daily
  Reply
#3
Oh, sorry about the broken image links. And you were right, I just had to keep fiddling with it and just logically thinking which way to turn it next to get the next "knot" out. It was like a bar puzzle that leaves your hands black and greasy. Thanks for the advice, friend!
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
22,268
09-25-2012, 01:14 PM
Last Post: GeorgeET

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
New to the Forum - Introduction
Yesterday 05:38 PM
Would you like a pizza after cycling?
Yesterday 02:10 AM
Hardtail as only bike?
07-12-2026 05:23 PM
Spoke Count Preference
07-12-2026 09:17 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
07-12-2026 03:34 AM
Are you mainly into Mountain Biking, Roa...
07-12-2026 02:20 AM
New around here
07-11-2026 10:53 AM
Favorite MTB brand?
07-10-2026 03:16 AM
29"front & 26" rear? Thoughts?
07-10-2026 03:13 AM
suspicious broken part after service--is...
07-09-2026 02:45 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
27 posts
no avatar 2. meamoantonio
17 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
17 posts
no avatar 4. ReapThaWhirlwind
15 posts
no avatar 5. Mr. Beanz
13 posts