Bike Chains

This depends on the type of bike you have. We offer a wide range of chains for every bike type. Do you have, say, an electric bike? If so, you can start at our bike chains page and easily navigate to bike chains for electric bikes. We offer chains for most bike types:

• Road bike chains
• Mountain bike chains
• Gravel bike chains
• E-bike chains
• City bike chains

This question is difficult to answer because several factors are involved. It is generally said that you should replace your bike chain every 3,000 kilometres. After this distance, your bike chain is worn to the point where it can cause damage to other parts such as your chainrings and cassette. But there is more to it than distance alone. If, for example, you ride rather frequently in rainy conditions where mud and dirt get on your bike chain, it will wear faster and you will have to replace it before having cycled 3,000 kilometres. It also depends on how well you lubricate your bike chain. If you lubricate it regularly, it will run smoother and wear less quickly. If you’re not sure about when to replace your bike chain, it is a good idea to get a chain checker. With such a chain wear indicator tool, you can easily see when your bike chain needs replacing.

With the right tools, replacing your bike chain really is a piece of cake. Before starting, it is important to check whether or not you have a chain with a missing link. If you have a missing link, opening and closing the chain is easy with missing link pliers. If you have a chain without a missing link, you’ll need to open and close the chain with a chain breaker (or chain rivet tool). For step-by-step instructions on how to replace your chain, read our blog on how to replace a bike chain!

Lubricating your bike chain is very important. If you lubricate your bike chain properly, your chain will run much smoother; you will absolutely feel the difference when cycling. A well-lubricated bike chain also prevents your bike’s rotating parts from wearing out. A stiff-running and unlubricated bike chain will cause your chainrings and cassette to wear faster. You can lubricate your bike chain with chain lube (or chain oil) or chain wax. When lubricating your bike chain, it is important to apply the lube or wax correctly. So, when using bike chain lube (oil), it is best to do this one day before your ride to allow the lube to settle well between the links. Apply 1 drop of lube to each link. Then turn a few pedal strokes and across gears to spread the oil well. If you use chain wax, apply 1 drop to each link on the inside of your chain; wait 5 minutes; apply a second layer of wax on the outside of your chain; leave the wax to harden (one day or following the instructions on the package).

An important part of bike maintenance is cleaning your bike chain, which attracts a lot of dirt, especially during rainy and muddy rides. You can clean your bike chain in different ways. An easy method is to use a chain cleaner tool, which is to be filled with a degreaser. You can also remove the chain from your bike, put it in a bowl of degreaser and scrub it clean with a brush. Both methods work; which one to choose depends on how much time you have and how thoroughly you want to clean the chain.

The new bike chain you buy in the shop is often too long for a direct fit. It is important to count the links of your old bike chain so that you can shorten your new bike chain correctly. Use a chain breaker (or chain rivet tool) to loosen the bike chain, then remove the pin from the link, then remove the links you don’t need. When you’re done shortening the new bike chain and it is the right length, it can be mounted.

There is only one short and simple answer to this question: yes. This means that an 11 speed bike chain is only compatible with an 11 speed cassette, chainrings etc. The same goes for 10 speed, 9 speed and 8 speed bike chains.

A Shimano bike chain is designed for Shimano parts. Our advice is to only use a Shimano bike chain on a bike that is spec'd with Shimano parts.

A Campagnolo bike chain is designed specifically for Campagnolo parts. So, you can use this bike chain on Campagnolo group sets but not in combination with a Shimano or SRAM groupset, unfortunately.

Een SRAM bike chain is designed specifically for SRAM parts. Our advice is to only use this bike chain for bikes finished with SRAM equipment, not for bikes finished with Shimano or Campagnolo equipment.

The easiest to determine the perfect chain length way is to put your new chain next to your old one. Note here that the number of links should match, i.e. the old chain will be longer. If this is not an option, you can read more about the correct bike chain length in this blog.