There are many important parts that go into making a functional bike. You wouldn’t be able to ride without pedals, handlebars, a stem or most other bike accessories for that matter. One element that is integral to the movement of the bike and the transition of power from the rider to the wheels is the chain. This incredible piece of engineering is utilized in equipment and machinery all over the world and is responsible for many different tasks. However, chains do break down and malfunction if not looked after properly. Here are the 3 main reasons why you need to give your chain some regular TLC.
Long life. Because chains are made from metal they are subject to rusting and corrosion. Bike chains are even more prone to this as they are often exposed the elements quite a lot. A bike chain should ideally be cleaned off after every ride and then be given a good coating of oil or lubricate. This will stop the chain links from ceasing up and will protect the whole thing from weathering. I you get to point that more than a few links are not moving properly, you will be seriously detrimental to the chains potential.
Damaging the bike. A whole host of other component can become damaged by a bike chain that is not being looked after. The crankset is designed to work intricately with the chain and will become damaged and bent if the chain is not running over it smoothly. Another part that can easily suffer harm is the derailleur, which is also in constant contact with the chain. Racing bikes are even more prone to this their mechanisms are very finely tuned.
Rider damage. The rider of the bike can also be harmed by a chain that is in poor condition. If the links are not moving properly they can jam and potentially cause the back wheel to lock up. If you are riding at any sort of speed this can cause the rider to be thrown from the bike and receive untold injuries, especially if you are wearing fragile cycle clothing
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