Which Bashguard?
Discussion
Hi,
I've been getting back into biking (been far too cold for me, torn ligament in my ankle, then a broken toe, all gone now
) and was wondering about a bashguard for my hardrock pro. I've been having a look around, and google the crankset number (Shimano FCM-442-8), but can't find any info about what will fit. I like the look of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/ethirteen_Super_... , would that be suitable? are they a standard item or does it depend what chainrings you have?
Cheers all, and hope this isn't too noob-y a question to ask, I'm still a bit green to proper mountain biking
(this is my first decent bike)
anyone wondering which model it is; 2007 model Hardrock Pro:
Mr.Jimbo
edit: forgot to add - I don't mind loosing the biggest ring too much, I only ever use it for road etc, though if I could up the gearing at the back too, that might be useful...
I've been getting back into biking (been far too cold for me, torn ligament in my ankle, then a broken toe, all gone now
) and was wondering about a bashguard for my hardrock pro. I've been having a look around, and google the crankset number (Shimano FCM-442-8), but can't find any info about what will fit. I like the look of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/ethirteen_Super_... , would that be suitable? are they a standard item or does it depend what chainrings you have?Cheers all, and hope this isn't too noob-y a question to ask, I'm still a bit green to proper mountain biking
(this is my first decent bike)anyone wondering which model it is; 2007 model Hardrock Pro:
Mr.Jimbo
edit: forgot to add - I don't mind loosing the biggest ring too much, I only ever use it for road etc, though if I could up the gearing at the back too, that might be useful...
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Sunday 15th March 04:24
That bashguard would fit in place of the outer ring (bolt circle diameter is 104mm on both), but I doubt it would be wise, your cranks and bottom bracket won't stand up to too much abuse, they aren't (along with the rest of the bike) designed for that sort of riding. What are you doing that requires a bashguard?
You most likely have a 11-32t cassette at the rear, you could get an 11-34t but that really isn't worth doing unless it has worn out and will only result in a lower gear. You might be able to solve both problems by putting a 36 or 38 tooth outer ring on the front in place of the current one which is a 44 tooth.
You most likely have a 11-32t cassette at the rear, you could get an 11-34t but that really isn't worth doing unless it has worn out and will only result in a lower gear. You might be able to solve both problems by putting a 36 or 38 tooth outer ring on the front in place of the current one which is a 44 tooth.
If you're doing the sort of riding that requires such a heavy duty bash guard then, further to BR's comments, the whole bike isn't suited to it.
That said, there's no reason why you can't swap the outer ring for a light weight bash guard. There are plenty to choose from. All you need to match up is:
1. The number of fixing bolts - four or five.
2. The BCD - Bolt Centre Diameter.
3. The number of teeth on the current middle ring - 32, 34 or 36 - with the size of the bash guard.
As BR says if you want to still keep a wide spread of gears then get a 34T middle ring on the chainset and a 11 - 34T rear cassette. You'll find some good prices on e-Bay but you should still budget for £100. Alternatively, pop into your LBS and see if they have any bits they've replaced on new bikes.
That said, there's no reason why you can't swap the outer ring for a light weight bash guard. There are plenty to choose from. All you need to match up is:
1. The number of fixing bolts - four or five.
2. The BCD - Bolt Centre Diameter.
3. The number of teeth on the current middle ring - 32, 34 or 36 - with the size of the bash guard.
As BR says if you want to still keep a wide spread of gears then get a 34T middle ring on the chainset and a 11 - 34T rear cassette. You'll find some good prices on e-Bay but you should still budget for £100. Alternatively, pop into your LBS and see if they have any bits they've replaced on new bikes.
Cheers for that, was the fitting stuff I was unsure of, much clearer now. I'm not doing trials or dh with it, just noticed the largest chainring catching logs etc on the trail, and I'd rather not batter the hell out of the chainring, so a guard seems like a good idea. Any recommendations for decent makes etc?
Went out today in jeans and t shirt, forgot how nice it is to ride go the sun
Cheers again lads!
Went out today in jeans and t shirt, forgot how nice it is to ride go the sun
Cheers again lads!
If you just want something to do away with your big ring then look up the genuine Shimano ones as a spare part, like the ones on the older Saint 2 ring cranksets. Much cheaper than the E-13 which is probably a bit OTT for what you describe. Any Shimano dealer can help you out with one.
And dont forget to adjust your front mech or no matter how hard you try not to you will eventually end up trying to shift onto your bashring and end up in a nasty chain mangling mess.
And dont forget to adjust your front mech or no matter how hard you try not to you will eventually end up trying to shift onto your bashring and end up in a nasty chain mangling mess.
Maybe if it is only light, occasional use, you could fit something like this;
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
or
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
In a smaller size (36/38/40), it is quite a lot less likely to hang up in the first place, will still protect the middle ring and offers a bonus over a true bashguard in the form of extra gears.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
or
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
In a smaller size (36/38/40), it is quite a lot less likely to hang up in the first place, will still protect the middle ring and offers a bonus over a true bashguard in the form of extra gears.
I think you may be confusing the old chain guard stlye things that stop your trousers getting caught in the chain ring not a bash guard.
The plastic ones refered to here are very tough and certainly fit for purpose.
That said Racface do a nice alloy one - two of my bikes have them and they work very well when my chainset gets a bit too close to obstacles.
The plastic ones refered to here are very tough and certainly fit for purpose.
That said Racface do a nice alloy one - two of my bikes have them and they work very well when my chainset gets a bit too close to obstacles.
I ran a Blackspire “Big Ring Protector” for a while. It allows you to keep all three rings in place, so as you can imagine it’s a fairly impressive size/weight. Really strong though. On my full sus I have a Raceface, so lost the big ring. I was looking at the e13’s but even though they are “plastic” they are quite a size (thick) and something was mentioned about them cracking if you over tighten the bolts (just the sort of thing I’d do). So I went with the safe (in my mind) option and got the Raceface, which matches the chainset anyway. I think an advantage the e13 has over the Racface is they tend to bounce off things rather than cut into (logs or whatever) like the Raceface does with it’s harsh alloy edges. Anyway, here are a couple of old pics. And yes, it is total overkill on that bike, I got it in a moment of anger after clipping the big ring on a few things 
mk1fan said:
I think you may be confusing the old chain guard stlye things that stop your trousers getting caught in the chain ring not a bash guard.
The plastic ones refered to here are very tough and certainly fit for purpose.
That said Racface do a nice alloy one - two of my bikes have them and they work very well when my chainset gets a bit too close to obstacles.
Yeah, thats what I meant, I'm not after one of the clear see-thru jobbies fitted to kids bikes and such, after protection for the big ring.The plastic ones refered to here are very tough and certainly fit for purpose.
That said Racface do a nice alloy one - two of my bikes have them and they work very well when my chainset gets a bit too close to obstacles.
I have had a look at blackspire, cheers for all the advice dudes.
Edit: BR; are those just stronger big gears, so that they stand up to a bit more abuse? mine look dead thin, a thicker one might be just the job!
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Monday 16th March 12:55
Mr.Jimbo said:
mk1fan said:
I think you may be confusing the old chain guard stlye things that stop your trousers getting caught in the chain ring not a bash guard.
The plastic ones refered to here are very tough and certainly fit for purpose.
That said Racface do a nice alloy one - two of my bikes have them and they work very well when my chainset gets a bit too close to obstacles.
Yeah, thats what I meant, I'm not after one of the clear see-thru jobbies fitted to kids bikes and such, after protection for the big ring.The plastic ones refered to here are very tough and certainly fit for purpose.
That said Racface do a nice alloy one - two of my bikes have them and they work very well when my chainset gets a bit too close to obstacles.
I have had a look at blackspire, cheers for all the advice dudes.
Edit: BR; are those just stronger big gears, so that they stand up to a bit more abuse? mine look dead thin, a thicker one might be just the job!
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Monday 16th March 12:55
Beyond Rational said:
I've had no problems running a 38t DMR saturn on a triple.
Awww really? I always wanted to get a Saturn ring when they used to do them in the mad colours but never did because I thought it wouldn't work as a triple. Seems you can only get black or silver now 
Edited by thepickle on Monday 16th March 19:57
Yep, I was building a bike of spares, the saturn was lying around so on it went. It's overkill on a fully rigid, otherwise lightwieght cindercone but the lower gearing suits the crusing attitude of the bike so it has stayed. That bike does have non indexed thumb shifters though, possibly a more precise modern system wouldn't be robust enough to complete the shift 
If you want a red or blue solid chainring, you could always get the middleburn.
If you want a red or blue solid chainring, you could always get the middleburn.
I’ve looked at the Middleburns before, but the bolt config/size/colour I want never seem to be in stock. I’ve got a full set of Blackspire Super Pro on now but I’m keen to try something different next time and the Middleburns seem the way to go. The “normal” rings option is definitely better in terms of usability but I just love the way the red Saturn looks. Re shifting, I'm thinking it will shift onto the Saturn ok but will be reluctant to come back down (with rapidfire) but who knows. Sorry for the O/T op.
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