How to Replace Your Chainrings
Basic removal and installation instructions for 5-bolt chainrings on 3-sprocket systems.
This tutorial will demonstrate how to remove and install chainrings. Since there are so many different crank and chainring sizing combinations, I’ll stick to the basics and give a general overview of the process based on a 5-bolt, 3-chainring system.
For this job, you’ll typically need a 5mm allen key, a chainring nut wrench, and some waterproof grease. On some bikes, you may find it easier to remove the right crank arm before you begin.
Chainring Removal
Before removing the largest two chainrings you’ll often have to remove the smallest one, which is often threaded directly into your crank arm. Use your allen key to loosen all of the bolts that hold the chainring in place, and then use a marker to make a note of the chainring’s position in relation to the crank before removing it completely. Some chainrings have a bump sticking out that should be lined up with your crank arm.
The largest two rings are usually bolted to each other with a nut and bolt. Here you’ll need to hold the nut in place with the special chainring wrench while you loosen the bolt with your allen key. Once again it’s a good idea to mark the chainring’s position in relation to your crank arm. The two largest outer rings often have a few spacers or washers in between, so be sure to note exactly how they came apart so they can be reinstalled correctly.
While it’s ok to install a new chainring that has a different number of teeth, you’ll want to make sure that your new chainrings have the same side profile as the old ones.
Chainring Installation
Before you reinstall the bolts, apply a thin layer of grease to the threads to keep out moisture. Now you can reassemble all of your chainrings the same way they came apart.
Make sure all of the bolts are finger tight and then begin tightening them evenly in a star pattern. Start by tightening the first bolt, and then every second bolt until you’ve gone all the way around. Repeat this process until all of the bolts are tight. Be careful not to over-tighten. Park Tools recommends 44-88 inch pounds of torque for aluminum bolts, and 70-95 inch pounds for steel bolts.
Related Links
Related Tools
- Shimano TL-FC20 Dustcap Pin Tool
- Park Tool HXS-1.2 Hex Wrench Set
- Shimano TL-FC10 Crank Extractor
- Park Tool PAW-12 Adjustable Wrench
- Park Tool SK-3 Starter Mechanic Tool Kit
- Park Tool PK-3 Professional Tool Kit
Categories
Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forums
Oil can spouts
Lastest post 1 day agoYears ago, oil cans had long spouts. Even the throw away cans had long spouts, but makers started putting little nubby spouts on the cans which makes it hard to get into some places such as my bike derailleurs. To oil those I have to pour oil onto a screwdriver blade and let it run down. The cans of '3 in 1' oil I used as a kid, on my bike, had a long spout. So after digging around I found cans w...
Read moreXT M8000 shifter spring
Lastest post 4 days agoHi, I messed up the tension spring for one of my MTB's shifters (Shimano Deore XT M8000) and now it's slightly yet noticeably bent on the tip. Is it actually worth spending my time to "straighten" it back and use it again? Or is it better just to get new one? Found some options on Ebay, such as this one, must fit well....
Read moreUpgrading ‘18 Trek Marlin 7 BB and Crankset
Lastest post 7 days agoCurrently running the OEM square taper BB with 3x9 but they’ve started creaking no matter how much I tighten the cranks. I think the damage is done and was wondering if there are other BB/crankset options out there besides square taper? Any recommended sizes? Thanks!...
Read moreShimano M520 screwed the wrong way?
Lastest post 1 week agoRandomly remembered about my first experience with clip pedals. Few years ago I bought my first Shimano MTB pedals (most likely M520, can't confirm it 100%), screwed them in and went on my training rides to prepare for mountain bike marathon. One training, after multiple rides, the pedal just broke loose on the way home (luckily not in the middle). Back at home I inspected the situation and found ...
Read moreRim brake pads wear
Lastest post 1 week agoCiao. How can you tell that the rim brake pads are worn out and you need to change them? Or when is the right time to replace these brake pads?...
Read moreCan someone help me with price advice?
Lastest post 1 week agoHello, I just got this bike. I paid 50 bucks which I thought was fair. It is a Giant Acapulco probably from the late 90s/early 2000s. The bike functioned well until today when I felt the pedal wobbling and the pedal fell off. So I was reading a few other forums and they said that the crank arm was most likely the problem. The nut also appears to be stripped. So my question is should I just go to a...
Read moreAutomatic bicycle chain keeps jumping off back gear
Lastest post 2 weeks agoI have a 6speed autobike classic. the problem is when i stop and start to pedal again the chain slips behind the gears. when I'm going downhill or fast it changes properly but otherwise won't stay on the gears what can i do to fix this? Please help enclosed is a pic...
Read moreIs this a head tube carbon crack? Thanks for your help!
Lastest post 2 weeks agoHi, guys, the frame is 2017 Giant TCR ADV SL, can you tell this is a paint crack or a carbon crack? If it is carbon, repairable? Worth to repair? Thanks. 4F2F7C4D-0DD6-4271-A1F8-47D66B037913.jpeg (Size: 293.65 KB / Downloads: 3) 5D9E939D-05B9-4691-8586-8D33F305A7E2.jpeg (Size: 228.73 KB / Downloads: 3) ...
Read moreMollema about SRAM mechanical
Lastest post 2 weeks agoHahaha, took a break from project writing tonight and found this video on youtube from Giro d Italia: Bauke Mollema: "F**king SRAM" (volume UP!) Made my day/night ...
Read moreBike changing gears random
Lastest post 2 weeks agoI was biking home with my college friend and her chain was jumping at random changing gears on the back wheel from the smallest cog (is that how you call it?) to the second smallest. She has 7 speed on back and one chainring in front. She has been ignoring this chain jump for few weeks, but now it has become too annoying. Can we somehow fix it easily by ourselves? One guy said that the chain look...
Read moredriveside threads showing/bottoming out on 1980 tubular wheel
Lastest post 2 weeks agoso got this peugeot hle of my dad, as good as unused(all cups mint) with araya tubulars 32ish 1,8mm alloy(rim brakes ofc). started working on em, allways got wobbly when releaving stress, kept truing/tensioning em, bang a spoke broke, i had twisted it off from the spoke bottoming out. looked around the wheel and almost all driveside spokes show loads of thread. how come?. i guess the wheels are s...
Read moreCreative bike mechanics (freehub)
Lastest post 2 weeks agoJust wow, this calls for the bicycle repair photo of the month prize! As this bike rider himself explained, his friend's freehub turned fixie during the ride, and they used such creative tool to get the 16mm nut out of the hub. bottom-bracket-diy-tool.jpg (Size: 137.34 KB / Downloads: 38) ...
Read moreDitch this rim?
Lastest post 3 weeks agoHello everyone. I was taking out an older bike from parents shed for potential refurbish. Noticed that its front wheel has small cracks around 3 of the spoke holes. They look like the one in this photo, distributed evenly around the rim. Those are cracks, not scratches. Is it safe to bike with such cracks or is it better to get new wheels? bike-rim-crack-3-spokes.jpeg (Size: 76.3...
Read moreIs my front wheel on backwards?
Lastest post 3 weeks agoHello, I was doing some maintenance on my road bike and I took the front wheel off, removed the quick release axle from the wheel, set the wheel aside, and put a drop of tri flow on the axle to lubricate it. When I returned to the wheel to reinstall the axle I knew the quick release goes on the left side of the bike's fork due to previous pictures I have taken of the bike. However, returning to...
Read moreFender lights
Lastest post 3 weeks agoAs found on internet and should be shared; fender tail light modification: https://imgur.com/gallery/VdxLvp4 The end result provides better light performance + does not bother panniers/bike bags + theft resistant. Steps: - removing light clip - drilling recess for M5 bolt - spacing out with linear brake hardware - securing with washer & nut...
Read more
