Chain Guide or Bash Guard... pick one.

Chain Guide Or Bash Guard


  • Total voters
    10

CrankAddictRich

Well-Known Member
2 weeks ago, I picked up a new Specialized Epic Evo 8 Expert and with it came a a brand new SRAM GX Transmission group set. In researching this group set, one of the most intriguing accessories I saw was the ability for a chainring mounted bash guard to be installed.

GXbash.jpg



Upon closer inspection of the bike, I realized that the bike already has an MRP 1x chain guide mounted on it, that mounts to the rear suspension's main pivot bolt.

expert_silver_03.jpg


and it seems that would conflict with the bash guard on the chainring.

I've never used a chain guide before on one of my bikes and I've never managed to lose a chain.... I've also never managed to bend or wreck a chain ring, but I definitely have hit one before.

so the question is.

chain guide or bash guard?
 
Narrow wide rings have all but eliminated chain drops for all but the harshest riding conditions so you dont necessarily need one there. As for bash guards, you would know if you needed one if you knock the chainring on logovers or rock gardens but even down here in middle of the state I'd lean towards the bash guard for logs as i've knocked mine a few times. I run one on my enduro bike but not my XC since it doesn't have ISCG tabs.
 
Narrow wide rings have all but eliminated chain drops for all but the harshest riding conditions so you dont necessarily need one there. As for bash guards, you would know if you needed one if you knock the chainring on logovers or rock gardens but even down here in middle of the state I'd lean towards the bash guard for logs as i've knocked mine a few times. I run one on my enduro bike but not my XC since it doesn't have ISCG tabs.
That's my thoughts as well... I've never managed to drop a chain, so the guide seems kind of points. Unless its more common on electronic groups... is the clutch not as strong?

I haven't ever managed to whack a chain ring hard enough to do damage, but I have definitely hit it on stuff before on other bikes... so I'm leaning toward the bash guard.
 
you really only need one of those bash guards
Assuming you always ride with the same foot forward, I'm guessing.... normally I do.

that being said, on Sunday I was in a situation where I want over a long with my opposite foot forward. No contact in that situation, fortunately.
 
A bash guard is useless unless your usual rides are through large boulder fields, but then you've also developed your technique to avoid smashing into said rocks. A chain guide can be useful if you ride fast through rocks. It didn't happen often, but I occasionally dropped a chain even with a clutch on the rear mech. They're cheap, light, and easy to install. If you're not riding through rocks, then neither.
 
I have only installed one on a modern bike that didn't come with one (Heckler came with an upper guide). I installed a bash guard on the Megatower mounted to the ICG tabs and mainly because I mostly use that bike for park riding and Blue Mtn has a lot of loose rocks that can get kicked up by the front tire into the chain ring. Judging by the gouges on it, it's served its purpose.
 
Depends on if you value chain retention or chainring protection. As others have said chain retention is pretty darn good these days, so bash guard will probably be more useful.

I should note, however, this is the opinion of someone who's hit things hard enough to bend ISCG tabs. So, depends on how you ride.

Screenshot 2024-11-26 at 3.51.28 PM.png
 
In all my years of riding I've so far only smashed into a rock once so hard that it bent the chain ring badly. And it bent it so bad the chain wouldn't have stayed on even with a guide. And after bending it back straight it's lasted for 6 or so years on my wife's bike without a complaint.

So bashguard.

But really, it depends on where your riding. Slow tech rocks then nothing. Fast with the potential to hit rocks, then bashguard.
 
If your technique for getting over big logs/rocks is to lift your front wheel on it and then smash the rest of your bike into it, get a bash guard. Otherwise get a chain guard. That said, I don't use either. I do find that my chain drops occasionally because it gets jabbed by a stick or something, but not enough for me to do something about it.
 
If your technique for getting over big logs/rocks is to lift your front wheel on it and then smash the rest of your bike into it, get a bash guard. Otherwise get a chain guard. That said, I don't use either. I do find that my chain drops occasionally because it gets jabbed by a stick or something, but not enough for me to do something about it.
I religiously install a bash guard on all my bikes, specifically the oneup lower bash guard. If the plastic insert were to get too chewed up I’ll change but in spite of the noise the damage is usually minimal.
 
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