Blackspire XC Guards are 305g's of rock crackin' heavy metal! Made to protect the BIG RING from hazardous riding conditions and available in 5 BCD's, this is the ultimate chainring protector out there! The big ring protector is mounted on the outside to cover all three rings.
Submitted by
RichBRAT
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, IN USA Date Reviewed: September 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Brown County State Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$38.00
Purchased At:
Mfr's online clearan
Strengths:
Strong and easy to install. Effective protection.
Weaknesses:
Weight, but Blackspire has lots of other models, including some that weigh way less.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
2006 Kona Dawg Primo, 5" both ends, mostly stock because it's hard to improve on perfection.
Bottom Line:
I'm not the burliest rider and I don't ride the burliest trails, but I encounter lots of obstacles as I travel around to various trails. I don't want to have to get off and lift my bike over big rocks and logs for fear of ruining my big 'ring. The Blackspire Big Ring Protector does a great job of protecting my big 'ring. It isn't a lightweight part, although Blackspire offers other models that weigh less. And it isn't a cheap part, although it's cheaper than a bunch of replacement chainrings. Read the full review at www.BigRingAdventure in the Gear section.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
William P.
a Weekend Warrior
from Newfoundland, Canada Date Reviewed: February 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Anything with dirt jumps!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Can't Remember!
Strengths:
Everything about it!
Weaknesses:
(none)
Similar Products Used:
(none)
Bike Setup:
2006 Specialized Hardrock Comp
Bottom Line:
Buy one of these and you will save about $1 Billion in gears!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Holt, Michigan, USA Date Reviewed: July 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Burchfield Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
internet
Strengths:
It's really strong!!!!
Weaknesses:
It is a little heavy, adds some weight. Also it does have trouble fitting over some crank arms, check with blackspire direct about fitment issues, they are a great help.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing
Bike Setup:
04' Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc, LX front derailluer, Race Face Good & Evil grips, WTB lazer saddle.
Bottom Line:
Great product if you ride in areas that have rocks and logs and you would like to keep your top ring. I have been using it for just over a year and have smacked it into some rocks, logs, etc. and still have my top ring intact. Bottom line if you can handle a little extra weight its a great product.
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Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Ashburn, VA Date Reviewed: March 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$46.00
Purchased At:
Webcyclery.com
Strengths:
Solid manufacturing, perfect fit & protects the large ring instead of replacing it. Keeps my pants from getting chewed up and is effective at protecting the chain rings.
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
2003 K2 ZED 4.0 stock with the exception of the XC ring guard and Koobi Classic SI saddle.
Bottom Line:
Perfect for what I need. I was tired of having to use rubber bands to tie my pants down and this ring guard is just what the dr ordered. Webcyclery was great to deal with and got the guard within a few days. Installed super easy without taking apart the crank with no modifications and as an added bonus will help protect the rings from logs, stumps and your average dings and bangs. Worth every penny.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
D. McNeill
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Treadlies
Strengths:
Peace of mind while riding through technical rock gardens and over logs.
Weaknesses:
It needed a little bit of grinding to make it fit. Weight?
Similar Products Used:
Nada
Bike Setup:
'03 Haro Escape 8.2 w/ '03 Z1 Drop Offs
Bottom Line:
This thing has taken some huge hits while riding through rock gardens but it's still going strong. Without it I'd need new chainrings for sure. It took a little bit of grinding to get it to fit around the TruVative crank arms on my bike but it was easy to do and well worth the effort. If you're sick of bending up perfectly good chainrings then get one of these. You won't be sorry.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Jefferson, NY Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Looks great, works great and it "fits" great.
Weaknesses:
Smooth edge on outside rim has no teeth to grip logs.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
GT XCR 1500, stock with the disc brakes.
Bottom Line:
Others below indicated some problems with installation. I have the stock Shimano LX crankset and had zero problems with installation. Basically, if fit perfect and was easy to install. It allows me to keep the big ring and to protect it from rocks and logs. How it would work for someone using it to freeride or trials....I don't know. For my trail bike, it's perfect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MARK
a Weekend Warrior
from R.I. Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
ANYTHING WITH ROOTS ROCKS AND LOGS
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Strengths:
IT WORKS AND IT LOOKS TOO
Weaknesses:
NONE
Bike Setup:
GT XCR 2000 AND A NEW SANTA CRUZ BULLITT
Bottom Line:
SMACK IT INTO A LOG AND KEEP PEDALING,YOU GO OVER LOG AND HAVE ALL THE TEETH ON CHAINRING.IF ITS TOO HEAVY FOR WEIGHT WEENIES DONT GET ONE.IT DOES WHAT IT SAYS ITS NOT REAL EXPENSIVE AND WHAT YOU SAVE ON CHAIN RINGS MORE THAN PAYS FOR ITSELF THE FIRST TIME YOU WHACK THIS ON SOMETHING,LOOK DOWN FOR THE DAMAGE REPORT AND LAUGH CAUSE NOTHING BROKE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Edmonton, AB Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002
My Launch came equipped with a RaceFace Prodigy DH crank with a 22-32-bash guard setup. I replaced the bashguard with a 44T ring for downhilling, but was concerned about the lifespan of the XC ring in gravity mode. Found this Blackspire XC guard at the local Mountain Equipment Co-op. Now my crank is impervious to rocks, logs, small dogs, etc.
Installation was difficult, took over 30 minutes,and I'm a whiz with a wrench. Very tight fit on the Prodigy crankarm - it looked like grinding was in order, but eventually it fit without any mods.
This thing is very heavy; your crank feels like a boat anchor when you pull it off the bike. The price you pay for protection, I guess.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mekon
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: February 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
phantomcycles.com.au
Strengths:
Pretty tough, just look at the thing, it's phat
Weaknesses:
Unfortunately didn't fit around my cranks so had to be grinded a few mill.
Bike Setup:
2002 Giant AC2
Bottom Line:
First run out i did smash it on a rock and although it did flat spot in a small area I'm sure it coulda been a lot more nasty. Although probably not as useful as a bashguard it does the job and does protect all rings. Bit on the dear side down here but hey our economy sux!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Drew
a Cross Country Rider
from Princeton, NJ USA Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
hartshorne, clayton, mercer,chimney rock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
phattire.com
Strengths:
This product is awsome. It's strong as hell. Allows you to ride on and/or over anything in your path with complete confidence and abandon without having to worry about damaging your big ring. Go ahead, bash it on rocks, logs, concrete, etc., you'll be lucky to scratch it. Along with the quality and durability of this product, it looks totally bad-ass on your ride. The other good reviews you might have read about Black Spire products are right on. Canada rules!
Weaknesses:
A little bit on the heavy side (305g). You install it over the big ring, so it is extra weight (unlike the Ring God or the RF Bash Guard, where the big ring is removed). However, a couple extra grams never hurt. Knowing the teeth on your big ring are safe, it's totally worth it.
Similar Products Used:
Gervin Rock Ring
Bike Setup:
'99 Fisher Ziggurat. Race Face Crankset/chainrings, Black Spire Chainring guard, XT/XTR front/rear derailleurs, XT bottom bracket & rear cassette. Stock Bontrageur wheelset, handlebars, bar ends. WTB seat.
Bottom Line:
Unless you want to buy more than one big ring or you're a real stickler about adding a little weight to your bike, buy this product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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