CliffordK

I'd put the crank back onto the bike. You may have some issues squeezing the chain around the front derailleur, but it should be OK if you get the chain in the general correct position.

Actually, the front derailleur and crankset should be fine if the chain is hanging down from the derailleur.

For me it would be easiest to remove the Jockey wheels from the derailleur. At least the lower one that is twisted around the back of the derailleur in your photo.



Probably I'd do it in the following order...Sometimes one can intentionally drop the chain off of the crank to remove tension during the last step of reconnecting something.

smd4

Best laugh I’ve had today!

smd4

It should be upright. You can get a wall mount clamp for less than $25. A floor stand for twice that. Doesn’t need to be shop quality, but the money would be well spent to help prevent the issues you’re having.

Sonofamechanic 

…I may have mentioned it would be easier to do it upside down (assumed he didn’t have a bike stand)…but it likely made it all more confusing—apologies. (…I still do all my work by flipping the bike upside down…reminds me of the good old days.)

smd4

Using the correct tools has spoiled me.

It was easy to work on an upside down bike when it only had a coaster brake and one gear.

CliffordK

I've done a lot of work on the bike upside-down.

Some things like adjusting rear derailleur stops with downtube shifters may actually be easier with the bike upside-down (although it may also be a reason that I kept losing a quarter inch at a time of my vintage brake cable housing).

Still, it takes a little readjusting of one's view to think of where things should go.

Rolla

If I had disassembled my crankset, loosened my front derailleur, jacked-up my chain, and had no earthly idea how to put it back together, I'd take it to a shop, where they have the stands, tools, and knowledge to fix it, instead of getting frustrated with the random online strangers who are kind enough to help you for free.

That said, if you have a tree nearby, you can use that:

Kai Winters

Buy a book on bike repairs...read it
Watch videos on YouTube on bike repairs
When this all fails bring it to a local bike shop

smd4

gives a whole new meaning to “shade tree mechanic.”

smd4

Um... I’m going with “no.”

Andrew R Stewart 

When I was riding sort of cross country I used this method of hanging my bike a few times when servicing/cleaning it a few times. Too bad the attractive assistant didn't come with the tree Andy

couldwheels

You'll need a chain breaker tool and a priest.

Sonofamechanic 

?!…. Isn’t this a forum exactly for those who love discussing all things bike? We’re not complaining…he’s doing all the work and for the first time…I only wish we were all there drinking beers and watching him over his shoulder! (We could rig up that tree thing while he threw wrenches at the wall). Hang in there!

Rolla

Yeah, I know, and I get that. But in spite of all the good-natured forum members posting explanations, diagrams, and videos, the chain is still jacked, the drivetrain is in pieces, and the bike's on the floor. If the OP has "no idea what [he's] doing with bike repairs," he should recognize when he's bitten off more than he can chew.

Bike shops exist for a reason, and a worthy mechanic can show the OP firsthand what's going on and how it's supposed to work. It doesn't have to be a struggle.

smd4

It's just that Damnbike did seem to get a little miffed at the suggestion that there might actually be a better/easier way to work on his bike to begin with, rather than sprawled out upside-down on the floor. I like the tree idea. Along the same lines, he could suspend the seat from a belt or strap from the ceiling.

Several of the suggestions here are really good, including a couple step-by-step solutions.

Crankycrank

damnbike, look for a bike Co-Op in your area. They can help you sort it out and you'll have some hands-on experience doing it yourself. This isn't a real complicated thing to fix once you know the proper path of the chain, upside down or right side up. No need to break the chain but a chain tool is always a good investment, so you didn't waste your money buying one.

Mr. 66

It just looks like you need to flip it. No need to take it off. It may be easier if you undid a derailleur pulley.

SurferRosa

To inflate my tires along an epic ride and give the shaft to newbs.

smd4

Pretty harsh.

Yep--you gotta pay 'em for their knowledge, even when you're new and don't know much about bike maintenance. Luckily, though, it wasn't only the newbs that had to pay repair fees. Without our fair share of work that showed up because some cocky home mechanic thought he knew it all, we might have had to go out of business!

Rolla

A bike shop killed his father.

SurferRosa

And appropriate.

Just read the stories on Bikeforums.

smd4

I haven't read back past more than a few months, and I'm sure some folks have bike shop horror stories, but I really haven't seen a pattern here about newbs getting the shaft at bike shops.

SurferRosa

You're right, it's not just newbs.

CliffordK

The upside-down half disassembled photo likely came before the OP joined the site, and he joined for suggestions on how to get it back together.

It really shouldn't be that bad. I was expecting a bunch of knots in the chain which are always a hassle. I have no idea how a circular chain can get tied in knots, but they do.

Half the comments came before I joined the conversation and decided to either look for a photo or ask for one. Otherwise the whole topic was a head scratcher.

I do think that with a little care the bike will quickly be back together.

A little humor is always good!!!

ign1te

It can actually be extremely confusing to reorient the chain if it gets messed up good and proper while still running through the rear derailer. Just crack the chain open and all your problems will go away.