13
Torque spanners
Chain
To ensure that it can work effectively, the chain
has to be cleaned and greased regularly (see
page 25). Dirt can be removed when washing
the rest of the bicycle. Otherwise you can clean
the chain by rubbing it with an oily clot. When the
chain is clean, it should be greased at the joints
with suitable lubricant. After being left to soak,
the excess lubricant should then be removed.
To ensure that the chain and gears
can work safely, the chain has to
have a certain level of tension. De
-
railleur gear systems tense the chain auto-
matically. In the case of hub gears which were
installed without a chain tensioner, chains
which are too loose have to be tightened. Oth-
erwise they can come off and lead to a fall.
In the case of bicycles with adjust-
able dropouts, the mounting screws
of the axle housing should be loos-
ened and tightened, and not the axle nuts. If
the bottom bracket shell contains an eccentric
Chain tension
bush, please tighten the chain according to
the instructions provided by the correspond-
ing manufacturer.
Please ensure that axle nuts and
quick releases are correctly at-
tached!
1
2
3
10-15 mm
* see page 26
If your bicycle is equipped with a
belt drive, please read the attached
component manufacturer’s operating
instructions before first use.
Belt drive
Dirt and permanent strain wear
the chain. The chain should be re-
placed as soon as it can be signifi-
cantly lifted (approx. 5 mm) from the front
chain ring. Many modern chains for derail-
leur gear systems no longer have chain
connectors. You therefore require special
-
ist tools to open/change/close them. This
work should be carried out by a specialist
retailer.
Other chains are supplied/assembled with
chain connectors. In some cases, these can
be opened without the need for tools. These
chain connectors can also be used to repair
a damaged chain on a ride, if they have the
correct width for the drive train.
