MTB Chain guides.
Discussion
I’m fairly new to MTBing so please correct me if I’m wrong.
I was out on the bike at the weekend and over rough ground my chain bounced off twice which, both times off the big ring.
So, do I need a chain guide? Also, is a bash guard to protect the big ring and my leg from the big ring worth having?
I’ve checked the bike (Boardman Team FS) and it appears to have no mounts (ISCG?!?) so I guess I’ll need a BB type.
Bike is running
Front chainset - FSA Comet 2x10 42x27T
BB - FSA Mega Exo
I’ve been recommended one of these as a simple/cheap option to try - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blackspire-Stinger-MTB-D... , but, I guess my big ring is too big.
Any thoughts or suggestions much appreciated.
Cheers,
Cramman.
I was out on the bike at the weekend and over rough ground my chain bounced off twice which, both times off the big ring.
So, do I need a chain guide? Also, is a bash guard to protect the big ring and my leg from the big ring worth having?
I’ve checked the bike (Boardman Team FS) and it appears to have no mounts (ISCG?!?) so I guess I’ll need a BB type.
Bike is running
Front chainset - FSA Comet 2x10 42x27T
BB - FSA Mega Exo
I’ve been recommended one of these as a simple/cheap option to try - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blackspire-Stinger-MTB-D... , but, I guess my big ring is too big.
Any thoughts or suggestions much appreciated.
Cheers,
Cramman.
itsnotarace said:
Back in the day I used to run a Dave's Chain Device
Still got my old bike complete with DCD. 
Never needed one on the current steed* running an LX crank, XT front mech, XTR rear mech/cassette.
I'd check gear alignment, chain length, et cetera before buying something you might not need.
- It is twelve years old and I am a talentless yet powerfully built rider, so my bikes endure great abuse.
Did you have a crudclaw as well? i remember fabbing up some ghetto spring thing that attached to the jockey wheel carrier as a kid to keep the tension super tight, made shifting a bit un-hyperglidey to say the least but it never failed, although I did used to run a road mech on all my bikes and as short a chain as possible.
Now for the OP's set up this is perfect
2x10 compatible
Now for the OP's set up this is perfect
2x10 compatible
Sounds like it is more likely to be something not quite right with the setup if the bike is new, what cog were you in on the cassette when the chain came off?
I had a spring go in a Deore rear mech a couple of years ago which made changing difficult and meant the chain was slapping around, but it was really obvious to identify so I very much doubt you have the same issue.
I am running a 1 x 9 on one of my bikes and lost the chain a couple of times when on the lower half of the cassette on rough ground, I fitted this and have been fine since; http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
I had a spring go in a Deore rear mech a couple of years ago which made changing difficult and meant the chain was slapping around, but it was really obvious to identify so I very much doubt you have the same issue.
I am running a 1 x 9 on one of my bikes and lost the chain a couple of times when on the lower half of the cassette on rough ground, I fitted this and have been fine since; http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
It might be simpler than that. Your chain might be a bit long.
Chain devices or chain tensioners (the one you list on eBay is more of a tensioner) really only work with a twin or single ring set-up, which is why you see them mostly used in conjunction with bash guards. Some of the better/posher ones do away with the need of a bash guard.
Bash Guards are there to stop the chainrings getting 'bashed' if you roll over something ether too sharp an edge, or just ride it ugly, but they replace the big ring.
You sometimes see this set-up called 2+Bash, and is pretty much standard fayre on the longer travel trail bikes these days.
It’s not to hard a mod to do, you’d need one of the devices you list above (the same one came with my old Enduro and worked very well) and a bash guard. Strip off the chainset and bb. Install the device, remembering to remove any spacers behind the BB on the drive side equivalent to the thickness of the device if possible. Reassemble the BB. Strip off the outer ring on your chain device and replace with the bash. There are loads available, but they’re just bits of tough plastic really so there’s no need to go mad on it. Then adjust your front derailleur so you won’t accidentally try to shift onto the bash (there should be ‘+’ and ‘-‘ screws on it somewhere you can use to limit the range of it’s movement.
Chain devices or chain tensioners (the one you list on eBay is more of a tensioner) really only work with a twin or single ring set-up, which is why you see them mostly used in conjunction with bash guards. Some of the better/posher ones do away with the need of a bash guard.
Bash Guards are there to stop the chainrings getting 'bashed' if you roll over something ether too sharp an edge, or just ride it ugly, but they replace the big ring.
You sometimes see this set-up called 2+Bash, and is pretty much standard fayre on the longer travel trail bikes these days.
It’s not to hard a mod to do, you’d need one of the devices you list above (the same one came with my old Enduro and worked very well) and a bash guard. Strip off the chainset and bb. Install the device, remembering to remove any spacers behind the BB on the drive side equivalent to the thickness of the device if possible. Reassemble the BB. Strip off the outer ring on your chain device and replace with the bash. There are loads available, but they’re just bits of tough plastic really so there’s no need to go mad on it. Then adjust your front derailleur so you won’t accidentally try to shift onto the bash (there should be ‘+’ and ‘-‘ screws on it somewhere you can use to limit the range of it’s movement.
You can try removing a couple of chain links to tighten things up a bit but the 42t big ring might not allow the chain to be shortened much, however it’s an easy job to do and certainly worth a try.
If your chainset is dual ring specific (i.e there’s no way to fit a third ring) then it might be difficult, or even impossible, to fit a bash guard as they normally replace the outer chain ring on a triple set up.
MRP do a dual ring chain guide that’s suitable for rings up to 42t, or a slightly more expensive option would be to fit an XTR Shadow plus rear mech http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shimano-xtr-rea...
If your chainset is dual ring specific (i.e there’s no way to fit a third ring) then it might be difficult, or even impossible, to fit a bash guard as they normally replace the outer chain ring on a triple set up.
MRP do a dual ring chain guide that’s suitable for rings up to 42t, or a slightly more expensive option would be to fit an XTR Shadow plus rear mech http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shimano-xtr-rea...
Thanks for the replies.
So, before I start buying shiny things I need to check the chain length, makes sense.
I'll have a trawl of the net tonight and find a guide on how to set the correct length of chain.
I'm not interested in losing the big ring as I do like to use it, especially on flat sections.
Cheers,
Cramman.
So, before I start buying shiny things I need to check the chain length, makes sense.
I'll have a trawl of the net tonight and find a guide on how to set the correct length of chain.
I'm not interested in losing the big ring as I do like to use it, especially on flat sections.
Cheers,
Cramman.
SkinnyBoy said:
Thanks for that, really useful, I'll have a go at it tonight.Expect a 'which new chain' thread tomorrow.
cramman said:
SkinnyBoy said:
Thanks for that, really useful, I'll have a go at it tonight.Expect a 'which new chain' thread tomorrow.
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