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Bash guard advice (bash guard only or bash guard with chain guide?)

12239 Views 28 Replies 14 Participants Last post by BRnPA, Aug 31, 2021

BRnPA

Discussion Starter · Jul 22, 2021

I'm still trying to get my hands on a 2021 Ragley Big Al 1.0 and I'm thinking about additional accessories. The Ragley guys on Instagram recommended this Nukeproof guard plus chain guide. Pretty nice but there are less expensive alternatives on Amazon and other places. I have NO experience with bash guards so there may be one that most folks go with (or not). Looking for good protection (and I don't have to have the chain guide unless this is also a good thing to have in a complete bash guard). Thanks!

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

Taroroot

· #2 · Jul 22, 2021

Depends on your riding and area. My current ride i have not had a chain drop in a long time, i bought but have not installed my guide + bash. Bash is a good idea, but current frame design makes it not very usefull. The downtube extends forward way beyond the ring so bash gaurd not very effective

BRnPA

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 22, 2021

Taroroot said:
Depends on your riding and area. My current ride i have not had a chain drop in a long time, i bought but have not installed my guide + bash. Bash is a good idea, but current frame design makes it not very usefull. The downtube extends forward way beyond the ring so bash gaurd not very effective

I was a little wary of purchasing since all the install videos I've seen start with "remove bottom bracket crank assembly".
I wish there was a way to install these w/o dropping the crank. I'm on the US east coast so we're not riding over massive boulders like the Hardtail Party folks are, so I might forego the bash guard and chain guide at this point.

Mike Aswell

· #4 · Jul 23, 2021

With narrow wide profiles etc I don't see tons of use for a guide. I never drop my chain.

You might be able to install a bash guard without pulling the crank (I've done it) but it'll definitely be working in tight spaces and if you need spacers it can become pretty tough.

Pulling the crank is probably easier. IMO. But if you really don't want to it can be done without taking that step.

Reactions: 1

Sparticus

· #5 · Jul 23, 2021

Chainguide? We don’t need no stinkin’ chainguides!
=sParty

shadowsports

· #6 · Jul 23, 2021 (Edited)

2

Try OneUp or e-thirteen. I never owned a bashguard or a chain guide. I dropped the chain on my Specialized maybe twice in 10 yrs. When I bought my Ibis, I decided to put one on. It came with a ISCG05 mount stock. Over the years I've wrapped using tapes, inner tubes with zip ties, etc. The OneUp screws right on and is a small price to pay to protect a frame. Bonus, comes with spacers, and guide is two piece so you don't have to take stuff apart.

Bicycle part Auto part Elbow Font Bicycle drivetrain part

Your Ragley has the same tabs:

Features

• 5 Year Warranty and lifetime crash replacement
• 6061 alloy
• ISCG 05 Tabs
• ISO 4210 Certified
• Seat post: 31.6mm
• Rear Axle: 12mm x 148mm Thru-Axle M12*P1.5
• Seat Collar: 34.9mm
• BB Shell: 73mm BSA
• Headset: ZS44/28.6 | ZS56/40
• Disc Mount: Post 160mm
• Wheel Size: 29"
• Max Tyre Size: 2.6"
• Recommended Fork Travel: 140mm

Rectangle Triangle Slope Font Parallel

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Reactions: 1

SoDakSooner

· #7 · Jul 23, 2021

Just personal preference. I"ve never had to remove anything to put one one. Just find a hole in your chainring that will allow access to the bolts. I run a chainguide, but the bike had one on it when I bought it. I've never dropped a narrow/wide chain, but it's a small weight penalty. Definitely need to run the taco. Cheap insurance. I bent the crap out of my last one casing a jump. Saved my frame for sure.

Nat

· #8 · Jul 23, 2021

I'd use it. I smash my bash guard often enough and the chain guide offers a bit of security at minimal weight.

Sparticus

· #9 · Jul 23, 2021

Narrow/wide chainring + chain guide = belt & suspenders IMO.

Reactions: 1

p0is0n0ak

· #10 · Jul 23, 2021

Do people run bash guards with single ring drive trains? Honest question; I really don't know. I used to run one with a double ring set up to protect the exposed big ring when I was using the small, but when I went to the single ring set up with the narrow/wide, the bash guard seemed obsolete since the ring was no longer exposed. When it comes to chain guides, I have only dropped a chain with a narrow/wide + clutch derailleur because my chain was too long.

Reactions: 1

Chuck Johnson

· #11 · Jul 23, 2021

No need for a chain guide on a 1x drivetrain. If your chain is falling off, your bike needs adjustment (don't tell yourself it is falling off because you ride hard). Bash guards are great. I like the MRP stuff.

mrpbike.com

MRP Bashguards

Our XCg line of bashguards tuck neatly behind your crankset and protect those costly chainrings from damage.

mrpbike.com

Reactions: 1

jeremy3220

· #12 · Jul 23, 2021

The chain guide depends on your riding. I don't run one on my trail bike but do on my enduro bike because I do occasionally drop a chain on really rough descents.

SoDakSooner

· #13 · Jul 23, 2021

p0is0n0ak said:
Do people run bash guards with single ring drive trains? Honest question; I really don't know. I used to run one with a double ring set up to protect the exposed big ring when I was using the small, but when I went to the single ring set up with the narrow/wide, the bash guard seemed obsolete since the ring was no longer exposed. When it comes to chain guides, I have only dropped a chain with a narrow/wide + clutch derailleur because my chain was too long.

Yeah, but they are now attached to the bottom bracket and not the crank since most bikes now have ISCG tabs. Sometimes affectionately referred to as a taco.

Sparticus

· #14 · Jul 23, 2021

p0is0n0ak said:
Do people run bash guards with single ring drive trains?

I run a bash guard to protect both chain & ring. I don't run a chainguide - (almost) never needed one. II say "almost" because IIRC I did lose my chain one time. I think a stick got in there an knocked it off. Not something I'm going to install a guide to prevent.
=sParty

Sidewalk

· #15 · Jul 23, 2021

With my current trail riding, I will not go without a bash guard and chain guide. I hit the bash guard frequently. I don't know 100% that the chain guide is necessary, besides the fact that my bike came with one. But it is like a helmet to me, I won't go riding without one just because I think I will be fine.

Reactions: 3

Nat

· #16 · Jul 27, 2021

Chuck Johnson said:
No need for a chain guide on a 1x drivetrain. If your chain is falling off, your bike needs adjustment (don't tell yourself it is falling off because you ride hard).

You should call up every downhill bike racing team on the planet and chew out their mechanics for not doing a good job.

Reactions: 1

Chuck Johnson

· #17 · Jul 27, 2021

Nat said:
You should call up every downhill bike racing team on the planet and chew out their mechanics for not doing a good job.

Nah, it's just marketing for sponsor's parts.

Nat

· #18 · Jul 27, 2021

Chuck Johnson said:
Nah, it's just marketing for sponsor's parts.

I totally believe you.

Reactions: 1

Nat

· #19 · Jul 27, 2021

p0is0n0ak said:
Do people run bash guards with single ring drive trains? Honest question; I really don't know. I used to run one with a double ring set up to protect the exposed big ring when I was using the small, but when I went to the single ring set up with the narrow/wide, the bash guard seemed obsolete since the ring was no longer exposed. When it comes to chain guides, I have only dropped a chain with a narrow/wide + clutch derailleur because my chain was too long.

I do. My bash guards have chunks taken out of them from use and I'm sure the ring would've gotten smashed without them.

Reactions: 2

jeremy3220

· #20 · Jul 27, 2021

Nat said:
You should call up every downhill bike racing team on the planet and chew out their mechanics for not doing a good job.

Yep, DH racers do need chain guides. Like I mentioned, if you ride hard enough dropped chains can become a problem.

Reactions: 2

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