Bashguard on SS?

[jaime]

OK, so I've noticed that a couple of recent projects (AoF, bdee) have included ground-down big rings as bashguards on SS's. I kind of wonder whether it's worth it since (1) the SS ought to have pretty decent clearance (compared to a mtb triple) with the removal of the big ring, and (2) since there's only 1 ring on an SS, doesn't the chain itself provide pretty good protection in the event of an encounter with a log/rock etc? Is the chain vulnerable to damage from a botched (as most of mine are) log-hop maneuver?

In the interest of full disclosure I should reveal that I'm a pretty mediocre mechanic. Sometimes worse...

[ArmOnFire]

Jaime, the real reason is that the crankset that I was using for the project had a worn out big ring, and to remove it would have made it much uglier than it already is, notice how the big ring is attached to the crank.
I could have drilled out the pins/rivets that connect the ring to the cranks, but would be left with some nasty arms, they would then have to be grinded down, to prevent them from grabbing anything.(See attached photo, red circles and arcs)

If I like singlespeeding (once I get it this convert commissioned) I'll pursue a crankset that will just have one ring, no bashgaurd, as I agree that the chain on the chainring will act as the guard.

[AA]

My take on the bash ring on the SS is that it will protect the chain from damage if you smack it on a rock.

BTW I have a 4 bolt bash ring that will fit your bike if you want it.

[GP-TJ]

I run one too because I down want to smash the chain on a rock. My original SS didn't have one. I hit a rock and made a scar on the chain. This is primarily in large rock gardens that I have this problem. I can't get over every rock without touching it. he he

GP

[bdee]

Bash gaurds make you look cool, that's why I have them on mine. Seriously, they will keep the chain from falling off in the event you lose tension (they really are more helpful in this regard on a 1X8 where you will have some slack). They really just protect the chain. I'm using the ground down version because I'm a cheapskate. I do however have a Black spire Ring God (5 bolt 94 BCD) if you would like to maybe trade for, say, some of that fine product you make. I can't remember what you're running on your FAT, is it a 4 bolt? Nevermind, I'll just look at the pics.

[hogboy]

get a Surly Blowerdrive crank spider. done.

[CouchingTiger]

get a Surly Blowerdrive crank spider. done.




Yea, but they only work with Shimano cranks.

I use a RaceFace, a Kooka and a BlackSpire on my various bikes. Whatever is cheap. I like them as they protect the chain and rings and lend rigidity to the crank spider. Even w/out a big ring, you still end up (or I do) bashing the middle.

-Couch

[jaime]

Hmmm, apparently I'm more of a wuss even than I thought, I only ever hit that middle ring on logs and soft stuff like that.

Maybe I'll look at my chain tonite & see if it's dinged up.

Thanks, all
j.

ps AoF, I can see why you're running a bash ring: that crank spider would be a hamburger factory if it ever found a nice, juicy calf muscle to dig into...

[radair]

Better late than never...

The other obvious reason is that you don't need to get shorter chain ring bolts (for those of us running cranks that use a single set for middle/big ring).

Plus I had one lying around that looked nice.....

[DT]

Also depends at how good you are at clearing logs. While I can clear a particular 3' log about 4 out of 5 times, it's nice to know that when I screw it up I'm not going to fold my chainring in half when I land on it. The bashguard can give you that little more confidence in your equipment that you need.

DT