How to Tighten the Chain on a Mountain Bike: A Step-by-Step Guide
To tighten the chain on a mountain bike, first shift the gears to the smallest front and rear chainrings. Loosen the rear axle nuts slightly and turn the barrel adjuster on the rear derailleur until the pulley wheel lines up with the smallest cog. Next, pull the rear wheel back in the dropouts to add tension to the chain and tighten the axle nuts. Finally, check the chain for proper tension by pushing down on it at the midpoint between the front and rear sprockets. The chain should move about 1/2 inch up and down. Adjust as needed and test ride to ensure the chain is properly tensioned.