Putting the chain back into play
Another sign of imminent seasonal change; we bought a bicycle chain this afternoon. Son #3 had lost his, during a mechanical failure last season, so the winter riding was (as usual) non-existant. We’re not a four season cycling family. Something about windchill and accumulated precipitation tend to put the bikes into winter hiatus.
For those who have the knowhow, changing the chain is really rather simple. Buy chain. Measure. Install. For those who don’t, the task is somewhat complicated. First of all, the “master link” of my childhood is now the “missing link”. Evolution in transportation. Bicycle chains are delivered in a shrink wrapped mass of steel, with the ends showing no visible system for attachment. A bent paperclip is not the proper solution, nor will layers of duct tape keep things rolling smoothly.
Somewheres in the basement, I have a neat little viselike affair that will drive a rivet out of a chain link. If you are particularly careful in the effort, the rivet need never leave the physical link, which saves a lot of time searching in the mud for the missing pin. Then, the tool is reversed, and the rivet is pressed back into service. If you’ve threaded the chain through the curves and loops of the derailleur, your bicicly will be ready for service in a matter of minutes.
In our case, we’ll probable perform this surgery inside, away from the crispy breezes of a spring day. In real life, chain fixes usually are required in a rainstorm, as a side procedure to something else having broken on your bike. I prefer when replacement of a link isn’t your only guarantee of getting to a safe campsite for the night.
