Category: FAQ

Need to replace your bike chain? You are not the only one. No matter what type of bicycle you own, a slipped, damaged, or worn-out bike chain is a common issue that all bike owners experience at least once.

Here’s the good news, putting your bike chain back on is easy, and won’t take more than a few minutes! We’ll show you how to fix a slipped bike chain, and how to replace your bike chain if you need a new one altogether. If you’d like to know how to take a chain off a bike, click here.

How to put a bike chain back on

If your bike chain slipped off its gear while you are cycling, follow these five steps on how to put a chain back on a bike. This also works for multi-speed bikes such as mountain bikes.

Step 1: Downshift

The first thing you should do is the most important, and it may even be the only solution you need. While you are still riding your bike, downshift to the lowest front gear setting using your left shifter, so the chain shifts to the largest chainring. Then, keep pedaling and see if the chain goes back into place.

Step 2: Lift the rear tire

If the first step does not work, you will need to get off of your bike and untangle the chain so you can put it back into place. You can do this by spinning the pedals with one hand while lifting the rear tire with the other. See if this solves the problem. If not, proceed with step 3.

Step 3: Release the tension

At this point, you will need to release the chain tension by pushing the rear derailleur forward. Reposition the chain by lifting it and placing it on the chainring, then follow step 2 again in order to realign the chain. Keep repeating this step until the chain falls back into place.

Step 4: Place the chain on the small chainring

Another thing you can do if the third step doesn’t quite work is to use the gears to your advantage. Start by threading the chain on the smallest front chainring. This should be easy to do since the chain is already slack because of the third step. Once that’s done, release the rear derailleur to tighten the chain.

Step 5: Pedal forward

Finally, you can just get back on your bike, and gently pedal forward until the chain returns to the right gear. You might initially experience a bit of erratic shifting until the chain fully returns to its gear. Don’t worry, this is normal.

That’s how to put a chain on a bike!

If you experience a lot of chain slippage, your chain may be damaged, in which case you will need a bit of chain repair. If the damage is really bad, however, it’s best to just get a replacement chain and change the old one. If this is the case for you, read on further on how to install a bike chain.

Replacing a bike chain

If you have a broken bike chain, or it’s worn out and needs replacing, here’s how you can take apart the old chain and fit the new one on your bike. The process is easy, but you will need a couple of tools to get started.

Step 1: Gather the right tools and the new chain

Before you start, gather all the tools you will need, as well as the new chain, so you can have a faster and easier workflow. The tools will depend on what kind of bike you have. Here, we will focus on bikes with a derailleur.

First of all, you will need a chain tool (it’s also called a removal tool, because, well, it’s used to remove a bike chain). Also, if you are using a master link chain, then you will also need a link remover.

Step 2: Remove the old chain

Once you have everything you will need, the first part is to remove the old chain. You can do this by pushing out a pin holding any two chain links together using your chain tool, then wiggling the chain apart, before finally taking it off of your bike.

Step 3: Get the chain through the derailleur

Once the old chain is removed, you can now replace it with your new bike chain. But first, it’s important that you measure it against the old chain to ensure that it’s the correct length. If the new chain is too long, you’ll need to break the bike chain and remove a few links in order to shorten it.

Afterward, you can place the new chain on your bike. First, feed the chain through the highest pulley called the guide pulley. Next, locate the derailleur cage, which should be between the tension and guide pulley, and thread the chain inside the derailleur cage. Finally, thread the chain over the tension pulley.

The last step is to reconnect your new chain. Simply align the two open links, fit them in the chain tool with the driving pin facing the chain link pin, then screw the pin into the link until it’s fully secure. Work slowly, and wriggle the chain every now and then to see whether the screw is too loose or too tight.

That’s it! Before you go, check to make sure that everything is in its proper place, and work the pedals with your hand a few times to see if the chain threads nicely. Then, just wipe and clean off the grease, and you’re good to go!

Final thoughts

Each and every bike owner has experienced chain slippage at least once, and it can happen to you too, even if you’re riding a new bike with q new and shiny chain. But, as you’ve seen in this article, solving the problem is quick and easy!

Here are a couple of helpful reminders to keep your bike chain in top-notch condition:

Take care of your bike chain.

You know what they say. “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” If you want to get the maximum performance from your bike chain for a long time, you need to take care of it properly. For one thing, always clean and lubricate the chain so it threads and spins nicely without too much tension and debris that can cause it to wear and slip. Also, make sure not to put too much pressure on your bike. Distribute heavyweights evenly and consider getting a good bike cargo trailer.

Check your chain thoroughly.

While fixing slipped chains is easy, you need to fully assess the condition of your bike chains to see whether there are any underlying problems that are causing the slippage. Doing so can prevent further slippage, determine whether you need to bring in your bike for repair, identify if you need new chains, and most importantly, keep you safe on the road.

Common bike chain issues include incorrect chain length, not enough lubrication, heavy loads causing too much chain tension, excessive wear and tear, and damage due to impact and improper use. Know your limits, a.k.a when you can fix the issue yourself, and when you need professional help (such as if the chain is damaged in more than one section).

No matter if you are a beginner cyclist or thinking about commuting by bike to work, this article should be a comprehensive guide for you to answer some common questions.

When it comes to how long does it take to bike a mile, the answer depends on several factors, including that person’s physical condition, the bike you’re using, and the road you’re cycling on.

We’ll talk about the average time it takes a person to bike a mile and more, the factors that affect bike speed, and how you can bike faster, so keep reading!

How long does it take to bike a mile?

The average time to bike a mile is three to four minutes. 17 to 18mph is the average cycling speed of a healthy person biking with a decent quality bike on a flat and even terrain. With that in mind, it goes to say that the answer will be different for every person. 

For example, professional cyclists can bike 2 miles or more in that time, while an average person cycling leisurely normally takes around 6 minutes at 10mph to complete a mile. Or, if you’re biking on a steep, sloping hill, that can take you around 7 minutes going up, and just a minute or so going down.

Again, this varies on the person’s fitness, the condition and incline of the road, and the wind direction and weather conditions. We’ll go over these things in more detail later. First, let’s talk about the time it takes to cover longer distances. You might be thinking, “I just have to do simple multiplication to know the answer.” However, the bigger the distance, the more factors play into effect.

How long does it take to bike 3 miles?

If we apply the above average for a mile, it should take a cyclist about 12 minutes to bike 3 miles. Professional cyclists will be able to cover 3 miles much faster and might be able to bike 5 miles in the same amount of time. 

How long does it take to bike 5 miles?

Biking a distance of 5 miles on an even road should take around 15 to 20 minutes, or even almost twice as long when you’re pedaling slowly to enjoy your surroundings, especially when the weather is good and the wind is blowing nicely.

How long does it take to bike 10 miles?

It can be difficult for many people to cover 10 miles while biking at a consistent speed. Chances are, you’ll slow down eventually, or even take a quick break at some point. When you do the math, a bike ride of this distance should take 30 to 40 minutes, but realistically speaking, it could take you almost an hour.

How long does it take to bike 20 miles?

The longer the distance, the bigger the range for the average time it takes to cover the distance when riding a bike. While a professional cyclist can bike 20 miles in less than an hour, the average person will need anywhere from an hour to two hours or more, taking into account short stops and inconsistent speeds.

How long does it take to bike 100 miles?

Anyone planning to bike 100 miles would need great stamina and endurance, both physically and mentally. That said, cycling this distance will take anywhere from 4 to 10 long and exhausting hours, but for marathon enthusiasts, it’s well worth the effort.

What is the average bike speed?

When it comes to the question of “How fast does a bike go?”, the answer is tricky, especially since, as we mentioned earlier, the type of bicycle you’re using affects your cycling speed. A regular person riding a typical bike has an average mph of 10 to 19mph, taking into account the biker’s experience and the distance he’s covering

What is the average road bike speed?

When you’re a professional using a road bike (or a “racer”, as others call it), the average speed for bike riding is around 25mph. This “average” may be slightly higher or lower, depending on the terrain and distance covered.

The fastest mile on a bike is…

Having said all these things, the fastest cycling speed on a bike ever recorded was a staggering 89.59mph, set by Todd Reichert in 2016 while cycling on an even path under fair weather conditions.

Factors that affect bike speed:

Ultimately, how fast you can go on a bike is dependent on several factors- some of which you can control, such as your fitness regimen and the bike you use, and some others, like the weather and terrain, you’ll just have to deal with.

Physical Fitness 

As biking is a physical activity, it goes to say that your physique affects how well you can perform. Factors such as your age, weight, exercise routine, and cycling experience all come into play in terms of your skill and endurance in biking long distances over a short amount of time. In case it gets too exhausted, simply put your bike back on your car and safely protect it with one of these tailgate bike pads.

An older person who doesn’t exercise regularly will get fatigued easily, and a beginner may have difficulty sustaining speeds and navigating terrains, so 10 to 19mph is the reasonable range. By comparison, for professional riders at the Tour de France, the average speed is a little over 25mph.

Weather and Road Condition 

The physical state and slope of your biking path are another important factor in your speed. A bike stunts track is made of smooth materials, while paved roads are a bit rougher, and dirt paths are the most uneven. Plus, there may be large bumps, hills, and slopes along the way that will require extra endurance and care to be able to overcome safely and successfully. If you end up damaging your bike, fix it easily on one of these best bike repair stands.

On a similar note, the weather conditions and wind flow also factor into your speed. Rain makes the road slick, which means you can ride faster, although it’s unsafe and difficult. It also reduces visibility, along with smog. A windy day can either help you when you’re riding along the direction of the wind, or work against you when you’re battling headwinds.

Type of bike 

Finally, the height, size, weight, and type of your bicycle also need to be taken into account. A heavy bike requires more energy to pedal, and a bike that’s too small or too big won’t allow you to work your muscles properly in the first place. Of course, it also depends on how much weight you carry with you. The best bike trailers smoothly glide over the street and won’t slow you down too much.

In terms of bike types, the most common are mountain (BMX) bikes, which usually go 10mph. Old style cruisers are a bit faster at 12 to 15mph, with touring bikes and folding bikes coming close at 13 to 19mph. Then, there are road bikes or racers, which can handle speeds of 17 to 25mph.

How can I become faster at riding my bike?

Now that you know the average numbers, you might be wondering how you can improve. Well, as with everything else in life, for you to be good at something, you need to do it properly, and regularly. Learn the gears and how to use them efficiently, and bike every day. In one word, practice.

How many miles you should bike a day depends on your fitness state, and how committed you are to improving. A good strategy is commuting by bike to work, so you can go biking 10 miles a day- it’s a doable distance for beginner cyclists.

Conclusion

That’s it! The short answer to how long it takes to bike a mile is 3 to 4 minutes at an average speed of 17 to 18mph, but the reality depends on the cyclist’s physical fitness, the road and weather condition, and the type of bike he’s using. If you want to get better and faster at riding your bike, you need to practice, practice, practice!