Probably should be posting this in some other forum, but here seems to be enough trailbiking downhillers to answer my question.
I'm looking for a chainguide for my hardtail trailbike. My priorities for the guide are (in stated order):
-Chain secureness (must not drop the chain, ever)
-Drag-freeness
-Longevity (no high-wear components that have to be replaced regularly)
-Preferably would include a crank-mounted bashring to keep my pants off the chain
-Silentness
-Lightness
The guide will be used only with a 32t chainring, so no need to be adjustable.
I have e.13 Freechucker at the moment, which is not secure enough, I have dropped and jammed the chain too many times to continue to use that.
Before going to 1x9 setup, I had two front chainrings with a bashring and Blackspire Stinger (and a front derailleur of course), and that combination was much, much more secure than the Freechucker, still dropped the chain a couple of times though. Before you accuse installation error, I must say I have adjusted everything to have minimal gaps between the chain and the guides. Some of the reasons for the dropped chains might be a long-cage derailleur, a shift-ramped front chainring and a rough riding style on a hardtail bike.
Some of the guides I have been thinking:
-Straitline Silent Guide. Proprietary 32t size is good, but I am not sure about the longevity of the guide, the bottom plastic part must be wearing pretty fast in muddy conditions? How about the drag with this guide, do you feel it?
-Gamut P20 or G25. The 32-34t size is quite nice, but how do these work? I have heard they might be a bit noisy?
-MRP S4. How does this work with 32t ring?
-e.13 SRS+. Not really keen on this one though, I have the steel version (SRS) on my DH bike and it's not that drag-free or silent, and no specific 32t version.
Did I miss any potential guides?
Tell me your experiences with the guides, especially if you are using them with smaller chainrings!
I'm looking for a chainguide for my hardtail trailbike. My priorities for the guide are (in stated order):
-Chain secureness (must not drop the chain, ever)
-Drag-freeness
-Longevity (no high-wear components that have to be replaced regularly)
-Preferably would include a crank-mounted bashring to keep my pants off the chain
-Silentness
-Lightness
The guide will be used only with a 32t chainring, so no need to be adjustable.
I have e.13 Freechucker at the moment, which is not secure enough, I have dropped and jammed the chain too many times to continue to use that.
Before going to 1x9 setup, I had two front chainrings with a bashring and Blackspire Stinger (and a front derailleur of course), and that combination was much, much more secure than the Freechucker, still dropped the chain a couple of times though. Before you accuse installation error, I must say I have adjusted everything to have minimal gaps between the chain and the guides. Some of the reasons for the dropped chains might be a long-cage derailleur, a shift-ramped front chainring and a rough riding style on a hardtail bike.
Some of the guides I have been thinking:
-Straitline Silent Guide. Proprietary 32t size is good, but I am not sure about the longevity of the guide, the bottom plastic part must be wearing pretty fast in muddy conditions? How about the drag with this guide, do you feel it?
-Gamut P20 or G25. The 32-34t size is quite nice, but how do these work? I have heard they might be a bit noisy?
-MRP S4. How does this work with 32t ring?
-e.13 SRS+. Not really keen on this one though, I have the steel version (SRS) on my DH bike and it's not that drag-free or silent, and no specific 32t version.
Did I miss any potential guides?
Tell me your experiences with the guides, especially if you are using them with smaller chainrings!