During a pre-ride inspection, if the chain shows wear, what should you do?

• A. Ignore it.
• B. Lubricate only and leave as is.
• C. Inspect the chain for wear and ensure gears shift smoothly.
• D. Remove the chain and not replace it.

Answer: (C)

Chain wear directly affects how the drivetrain behaves and whether your bike will ride safely. When a chain shows wear during a pre-ride, the priority is to verify its condition by inspecting for stretch and testing how the gears shift. If the chain is worn, shifting can become rough, slip, or skip, and the wear will also wear the sprockets faster. The right step is to assess the chain for wear and ensure the gears shift smoothly; this confirms whether the chain is still within acceptable limits or needs replacement. Lubricating a worn chain won't fix the underlying stretch, and ignoring the wear or removing the chain without replacement leaves you with a compromised, unsafe drivetrain. If wear is detected, replace the chain (and consider the sprockets) before riding.