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Morten

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,

I recently purchased a 2004 Marin Rock Springs from Sierra Trading post. When I received it I decided to get a chainstay protector to protect the frame. I also wanted the chainstay protector to dampen out the sounds from the chain hitting the chainstay -- monoque frames are notorious for transmitting and even amplifying sounds.

I started reading reviews on this site and others, but there weren't too many options for the tall flat chainstay of my monoque frame. Lizard skins made one for such frames, but I read elsewhere on the internet that the neoprene alone did not provide sufficient protection. I looked at a cut up plastic tube, but that scheme seemed better suited for a traditional round chainstay. I read about people using old tubes or similar contraptions. Those, however, did not satisfy my desire for something that also looked reasonable and could be easily removed.

In the end I read a review where someone praised the Gebali chainstay protector. The Gebali chainstay protector uses Aluminum coated kevlar (insulated with neoprene) on the surfaces that the chain can contact. This prevents the chain from chewing through the neoprene. The neoprene is mainly used to dampen the impact.

I looked at their website but saw only protectors for round chainstays. I then contacted them and asked if they could do a custom design. The people I corresponded with were very flexible and nice, and after a brief price negotiation we agreed. I then sent them a picture of my chainstay with all relevant measurements. The protector was completed in a few days and shipped to me. It fit very well on my bike. I have now used it for some time and it seems durable, stays in place, and dampens the impact of the chain on my frame. It does everything you would expect from a chainstay protector. So in conclusion I am very satisfied with my purchase.

I also bought their shockjacket which also has performed very well. It keeps dirt away from the rear shock and is made from ripstop goretex.

In conclusion I just want to express my satisfaction with both of their products and to point others with the same needs as me. I hope this short review is of help to you. I will take a picture of my bike and add it to this post.

Morten

BTW: I have no connection to or financial interest in Gebali. I am just a satisfied customer.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Bikin...

thanks for the interest and comment. Jumping in the gears where the chain is most loose, it does move. Perhaps the perspective in the picture is misleading, but the chain is not that far away, from the _underside_ of the chainstay, close to the front of the chainstay in the low gears. Similarly, in the high gears the chain is not that far away from the rear of the chainstay. I just decided I did not want the chain to eat into the thin aluminum profiles of the monoque frame and there really is no downside to the protector: it weighs little, doesn't cost much, and does the job.

The spoke protector came on the bike. I saw no reason to remove it, since the weight is probably insignificant. You have anything against spoke protectors???

BTW. I love the terrain you are riding in!!!

Thanks,

Morten
 
Bikinfoolferlife said:
Protection from what? With an elevated chainstay that protector looks like major overkill. Your chain jumps that high up? Goes with the spoke protector I guess...
Had a friend with a similar frame, no idea why, but his chain somehow managed to ding up his frame, the guy was an insane biker... wasn't usually much left on his bike that wasn't banged up come to think of it. He probobly could have used that... Their normal guard looks like it does the job well http://www.GEBALI.com/, beats an expensive oil absorbing flap of cheap neoprene. Thanks, was actually looking for something like that.
 
singletrack said:
I do. They don't actually protect your spokes, and ultimately they break off and become trailtrash.

If a person rides trails with a spoke protector or reflectors, they should be preemptively charged with littering.
I don't use spoke protector's these days, but early on I did, like most. Depending on the hub/clearence between the chain and spokes sometime they can help. After twenty years of riding, racing, and working on bikes, I have seen numerous wheels devastated by chains slipping between the rear cassete and spokes. Most often this seems to happen when someone is new to tuning the rear derailer... or a bike mech messes up.
 
I just put a Gebali on my 575. Very nice product. Well made and I am very happy. Beats the snot out of Lizard Skins It's more money but get this......they charge like a dollar or two for shipping instead of gouging you, very cool. :D
 
Just yanking yer chain, Morten. That chainstay is lower than at first glance now that you mention it. Personally I use a piece of old innertube and zip ties, they're pretty much free and have a big supply in the garage.

If you need a spoke protector, by all means keep it on, I just think they're fugly and prefer to be careful with my rear derailleur setup (altho just last week after a little slip off a log I did manage to bend my hanger then proceed to shift into the spokes a while later; I stopped pedaling in time but that's not always easy to do).

I guess you looked at the photos I posted; they are from Durango, Fruita & Moab...not exactly my local rides (which aren't bad either).
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Bikinfoolferlife said:
If you need a spoke protector, by all means keep it on, I just think they're fugly and prefer to be careful with my rear derailleur setup (altho just last week after a little slip off a log I did manage to bend my hanger then proceed to shift into the spokes a while later; I stopped pedaling in time but that's not always easy to do).
Ok, ok, I have surrendered to the wisdom of the board (and its sense of aesthetics) and removed the spoke protector :) My chainstay protector, on the other hand, you will have to pry out of my cold... I like it so much I ordered one for my wife's hardtail. Her chainstay is round and needs the protection even more.

Morten
 
I was surprised at that too.

Bikinfoolferlife said:
Protection from what? With an elevated chainstay that protector looks like major overkill. Your chain jumps that high up? Goes with the spoke protector I guess...
I have a Ventana Pantera with a somewhat similar "elevated" swingarm design and I thought that the swingarm would be noise free. However, that bike bangs the chain on the swingarm something fierce. With the swingarm naked, it's actually the noisiest bike in this regard that I've ever ridden. I wrapped an old road innertube spirally around my swingarm though and that works fine to stop the noise and protect the swingarm.
 
Finch Platte said:
That is quite the site.

♦PRESERVES SHOCK

♦Does NOT trap moisture!

♦Prolongs Shock Life

♦Securely Seals

♦BREATHS

"Breaths"??? :rolleyes:
So, I actually had the lizard skins version of the shock protector, wasn't a fan. Problem was during rides, especially the wet ones, it got soaked and let in tons of dirt... then rather then drying out, I would just have to take the whole thing off and clean it... That said, the idea of something that allows air to pass in, to wick out moisture, without letting in debris, sounds nice to me. I hate rebuilding shocks because they get dirty... or pumping it up before every ride because I'm procrastinating cleaning it/rebuilding it yet another time. +ends up costing a boatload of money over time. I wouldn't have appreciated such an item before these frustrating experiences.
 
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