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Are you running your XTR M985 Shadow Plus RD 1 x 10 with NO Chain Guide?

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c3024446

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi!

I have seen many people on this forum raving about the XTR Shadow Plus RD.

I am going to run this 1x10 on a 29er Hardtail. The consensus seems to be "I never drop a chain, may not need a chain guide".

How many out there are actually running this RD with no chain guide at all? And if you are, did you fiddle with the clutch setting to make it tighter?

Thanks,

Mark
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Well, i have decided i will give it a go. It will be used 1 x 10 on a 29er carbon hardtail, where all the riding will be pure xc, some roots and rocks but mostly hardpack single trail. I have a Salsa 32T and a HBC 31T coming, both which have pronounced chainrings, so this will help.

I have ordered a Superstar XCR is case it doesn’t work. Also ordered a Jump Stop, but should have researched it more as it won’t fit on my carbon frame. The most inconvenient thing if I have to use the chain guide will be breaking the chain to install it, so might have to fork out for some KMC missing links.

Results will be a while though, still have another 3+ weeks out with a broken clavicle :( This no guide thing will be a bit of a gamble, the broken bone was caused by a slipping road bike chain, but I will do this experiment and put my body on the line for science!
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
The first test ride yesterday was a failure. However, this was due to my chainline being very wrong, the centerline was in the 3rd smallest cog, not the middle of the 10 speed cassette. Changed crank and adjusted spacers, and i now have a central chainline.

So the ride today, albeit on a not-very-bumpy track and a slow pace, was a success! Not once did the chain look like bouncing off.

Tomorrow i will give it another workout on the bumpiest track around here, and since i will be riding with others, the pace should be faster as well.
 
Discussion starter · #6 · (Edited)
Newest ride report:

On Wednesday i went to test it on the bumpiest track i know. Four repeat hits within 1 second, and the chain fell off at the end. I noticed a bit of chainslap, and looking down, i saw that the clutch lever was in the off position, so i either did the whole ride with the clutch off to that point, or it switches to Off when the max tension is exceeded?

Test this morning (Friday, Aust time) i made sure the switch was “On”. Took the same lines and bumps faster, and barely got any chainslap (only on the top of the chain stay, because my chain runs very close to it), and the chain never looked like falling off! The bike seems so quiet going over bumps. I am in love.

Recommendation: 29er hardtail running a long toothed chainring (Homebrewed, Salsa etc.) with a Shadow plus derailleur in the ON position, you don’t need a chain guide.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
I am admitting defeat and putting on a chainguide, but not because the chain is falling off every 5 seconds. It has only fallen off twice in 500km, but whenever it does i have to:

Get off, flick the switch, put the chain back on, flick the switch back on, and hop back on the bike.

My chainline to the granny is pretty bad, and the chain has slipped off the inside once, which scratched the frame a little. The other time was the chain falling off the outside as i was pedaling over a bump. I guess it will fall of more and more as wear continues, i have bitten the bullet and bought a top guide.

I picked the Superstar XCR. Doesn't rub in any gears, and i have attempted to make the chain drop off on the inside and outside with my finger forcing it sideways, but the guide does it's job. Doesn't look too bad either.

Image

Image


Before i got this guide, i tried one of these, the KCNC chain catcher, but didn't research it properly. These things are supposed to be used with a granny, but since i was using a middle ring position, the granny chainring studs got in the way. I couldn't get it close to the ring, so it is going in the bin.

Image
 
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