Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Cycling fans received the worst news last week. Both the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) in Dallas, Texas this year, and the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California were postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Traditionally these Spring cycling festivals are where the bike industry debuts all its new toys. Without them, there’s going to be a void in product news for a while. Also, because the virus is pushing back pro racing, too – another product launchpad.
Luckily, show and race cancellations haven’t slowed product innovations and launches yet. So, while I won’t be able to see it in person at one of the bike shows, I did recently learn of a brilliant new tool that I think is well worth a look.
It’s the Chain Lift from the company of the same name. As soon as I saw their press release, I ordered it. Because their new tool is a problem-solver that makes some of the most common tasks on bicycles easier. In fact, the name Chain Lift hardly does it justice in my opinion. I would have named it Chain Tamer or some such.
Gets the Chain Out of the Way
What the Chain Lift does is lift and hold the chain off of the cassette cogs. It can do this because it’s attached outboard of the bicycle and has articulated arms outside it, too. They hook onto the chain and once activated they move it and the rear derailleur away from the cogs.
Once the Chain Lift is in place and holding the chain like this, the rear wheel is easier to remove and install because there’s no interference from the chain or derailleur. No longer do you have to fight with those parts to get the wheel to go into the dropouts and keep the chain on the correct cassette cog. Instead, you simply hold the wheel and put it in place in the frame.
The Chain Lift also makes it easier to spin the rear wheel while it’s in place in the frame to diagnose/hear and repair disc brake rubbing issues. Because the chain isn’t attached, the cassette spins silently meaning you can finally hear even the slightest rub.
Plus, with the Chain Lift holding the chain and derailleur in place, it’s much easier to install the bike on a wheel-off indoor trainer. You won’t need to touch the chain or derailleur (no more greasy hands!). And, since the chain is nicely stretched out and wide open, it’s a breeze to place the bike down onto the trainer’s cassette and locate the frame dropouts on the trainer, too.
Universal Fit
To fit most bicycle drivetrains the Chain Lift comes with several installation pins. These fit inside the derailleur attaching bolt to give the Chain Lift a secure mounting location.
I have SRAM and Shimano-equipped road and mountain bikes and I’m looking forward to seeing if the Chain Lift will fit all of them. Right now they’ve sold out their first run of Chain Lifts. So, I’m on the waiting list for the next batch. I’m excited to try it and see if it’s as nice as it looks. It’s one of those why-didn’t-anyone-think-of-this-before products to me and exciting to see.
For more information, visit https://chainlift.com/. The retail price is $79, but right now they’re offering a 15% discount due to being sold out. So you’ll save a little if you order. They say they’ll begin shipping in mid March.
The best way to understand the Chain Lift is to watch their three videos.
Removing the rear wheel showing how Chain Lift attaches and the steps :
Removing a disc brake rear wheel:
Removing a rear wheel and putting the bike in a “smart” (wheel-off) trainer:
Ride total: 9,576
Interesting and clever product.
My technique involves no tools and I never touch the chain, wheel going out or in.
If you’re taking both wheels off, start by opening the front QR, but leave the wheel in its dropouts to support the front of the bike.
Wheel removal: Open the rear brake quick release (QR). Shift to the highest (farthest outward) gear and hold the bike leaning against you with driveside outward and the saddle next to your left hip. Grasp the bike in front of the seat stays above the brake with your left hand. Open the wheel QR with your right hand. Lift the rear end off the ground with your left hand and reach over to pull the rear derailleur backwards with your right hand. The rear wheel should drop down. If not, give it a little push downward. (You did open the brake QR, first, right?) The bike can be lifted away from the wheel.
Wheel insertion is the reverse with a few helpful tips. Make sure the rear wheel can be reached easily. If both wheels are off, start by putting the front wheel in its dropouts so it can support the front end of the bike. Standing with the saddle toward you between your feet, lift the rear of the bike, DS up, with the left hand holding the seat stays as described above (it will pivot on the front tire). Put the rear wheel in position between the chain runs, being careful to set the chain on the outermost cog. Put the toe of your right foot behind the rear tire to hold it in place. Reach over with your right hand to pull back the rear derailleur and set the bike down on the rear axle guiding it into the dropouts.
Tighten the wheel QR, close the brake QR. Done.
This works just as well with disc brakes, although extra care is required to make sure the disc enters the caliper properly when reinstalling the wheel(s).
Thanks for sharing your wheel removal tips/secrets, David!
Jim
Great suggestion. Need to add fluid to my rear wheel, and will give it a try!
You don’t need to remove rear wheel to add fluid
Bought this immediately the second I saw it last month. It’s a little counterintuitive at 1st but now that I have used it several times, it’s super easy and very handy. I take my bike in and out of the car for group rides and on and off the smart trainer several times a week. This tool is great for guys like me.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Chain Lift, Paul!
Jim
I saw an ad for this on Facebook and bought one. It’s not perfect but does what they advertise and it is useful to have at hand.