It’s a basic mountain biking skill, but it’s not often told. The bike shop guy probably never told you, and your riding buddies have assumed you know it. And if you try to Google it to find out, you’ll have even worse luck.
But the fact is that knowing how to ride with a good chain line is one of the most important mountain biking basics you’ll ever learn. You need to know it to ride better and faster on a mountain bike.
But before I explain how it makes you become a better mountain biker, let’s go through what the term chain line means, and the problems that riding with a bad chain line can cause for you and your bike.
What is a Chain Line?
Chain line is the term given to the path your chain takes as it comes off a rear cog and on to a front chainring. No matter what gear you’re in, you’ve always got a chain line. But, there are good and bad lines.
A bad chain line is when the chain’s path is not straight enough to allow the drivetrain to operate efficiency. A bad chain line is when the chain has to cross over to far to the left or the right as it comes off a rear cog and moves forward and onto a chainring at the front. A good chain line is when the chain’s path is relatively straight.
-
Good Examples of Bad
Some examples of a bad chain line on a 27 speed (3 x 9) drivetrain mountain bike are:
- chain on eighth gear at the back, going on to granny gear (smallest chainring) at the front
- chain on first gear (biggest cog) at the back, going on to middle chainring at the front
- chain on second gear (second biggest cog) at the back, going on to big ring at the front
Why a Bad Chain Line is So Damn Bad
Making the chain cross over on more of an angle than the chain and its drivetrain friends are designed for creates all sorts of problems for you and your bike. All that excess curving and twisting of the chain as it comes off and onto gear teeth and through derailleurs results in
- unnecessary drivetrain friction and stress, resulting in decreased drivetrain efficiency and increased wear on parts
- more noise
- increased risk of chain failure (snap!), and
- terrible gear selection habits for you
But don’t panic. Riding with a bad chain line might be a bad, but you can…
-
Change that Bad Habit Quickly and Easily
* The Good Chain Line video *
Follow these three simple steps to start riding with a good chain line: (typical 27 speed (3 x 9) mountain bike)
- when you’re in Granny ring (smallest chainring) at the front, only use the biggest five or six cogs at the back
- when you’re in middle ring at the front, only use the middle five or six gears at the back
- when you’re in Big Ring at the front, only use the smallest five or so gears at the back
-
If you’re still unsure, take your bike down to your local bike shop and have them check out your drivetrain and gear shifting for you.
-
Very Good Reasons
There are several reasons why riding with a good chain line is better for you and your bike. Keeping a good chain line results in
- minimal noise, friction, stress and wear on drivetrain components
- maximum drivetrain efficiency
- reduced risk of chain failure, as long as you’ve got good gear shifting habits
but the biggest reason of all…
- riding with a good chain line makes you think better on a mountain bike, and…
-
When You Think Better You Ride Faster
Instead of being lazy and just shifting the rear derailleur to whatever gear is next, then front shifting when you’ve reached first or ninth rear cog, the three rules will teach you to shift like a mountain biker should.
The three rules will force you to make quicker decisions and teach you to shift using both derailleurs at the same time where you need to. You’ll develop a better understanding for what gears to use and when. And instead of your old habits telling you to shift through eight rear gears at once, your new habits will help you shift two or three gears between front and back for a better result.
- you’ll stop crunching gears and breaking chains
- you’ll start thinking quicker and gear shifting faster, and
- you’ll have more confidence to look further ahead, excited that you can handle whatever’s coming next
With good chain line habits, no matter what the trail brings, you and your chain will be better prepared to respond and adapt with more brain and bike speed than ever before.
