Bash Guards

[Nuget]

Well I had the moto out at Theo this past week and managed to warp my large ring on my FSA cranks on some rocks. Luckily I was able to get it bent back to make the second ring ridable at least. Which then brought up the idea of replacing it with a bash guard instead of a large ring. Anyone here ride the trails without a large ring?

Another thought I had was to grind down my current warped ring and use that as a bash ring until I decide wether or not to buy a new ring or bash guard.

[JayPee]

I use the Spot (http://www.spotbikes.com/parts/) bash-guard. Works great.

[wildkona]

E13 all the way!!!! I have an extra one too...

[soupboy]

I haven't had a big ring for many moons. Spot, Race Face, Truvativ - they all pretty much do the same thing. FSA probably has one that matches your cranks if that's important to you.

Keeps you front getting hung up on stuff and from ripping your right calf apart.

[DmacBmac]

Race Face!!

[RichZilla]

The big ring is only for road rides and Experts.

ha ha ha

[SpecHR55]

I second Josh with E13. Dont go MRP unless you wanna add on 20 gazillion pounds.

[TrailSquirell]

depends on the hits your going to take, myself, I run an E-13 on my race bike, and a half inch thick one on my play bike I j-hop up onto docs with, Kinda fun.

[Neckroll]

Another thought I had was to grind down my current warped ring and use that as a bash ring until I decide wether or not to buy a new ring or bash guard.[/quote]


I bashed my big ring last fall, and did exactly that. Not as solid as an actual bash guard, but has done well for me so far.

[Nuget]

Thanks for the posts everyone. Looks like I'll grind down my current large ring and see if I miss it at all and then i'll start looking for an actual bash guard.

I Think FSA has a couple that would fit my cranks. Looks like aluminum and a composite. Anyone have better luck with one over the other as far as durability of materials?
http://jensonusa.com/store/product/CG408C09-Fsa+Bash+Ring.aspx

[tedsti]

I like my Salsa bash guard. I would watch out for the lexan ones like E13. Bob has now proven they are merely bullet resistant, not bulletproof.

[soupboy]

Get the metal one - I've seen the plastic stuff crack from impacts and/or excessive tightening.

I've got an extra RF 94bcd (5bolt) if it fits and you're interested.

[Nuget]

here's a pick of my cranks. Think the RF bash would fit? PM me.

Thanks Sean

[Nuget]

Looks like mine is a 4 bolt, nevermind sean.

Looks like the FSA is also 5 bolt at jensonusa.com. Why would they make it 5 bolt when their cranks are 4 bolt. Maybe the higher end cranks have 5 bolts.

Dang.

[biking_stickman]

I like my Salsa bash guard. I would watch out for the lexan ones like E13. Bob has now proven they are merely bullet resistant, not bulletproof.

http://www.salsacycles.com/images/CR_ringGuard200.jpg

I'll second this...I think mine is great.

I'm using it slowly saw apart the step up log at Leb one revolution at a time.

[Nuget]

Hmmm, that looks very nice. I'll have to check that one out.

Thanks

[Aberrix]

+1 for e.13

[bigwheel]

-1 for E.13

You can have mine if you don't mind gluing the pieces back together.

[TrailSquirell]

lol, if possible, get a bash gaurd with teeth kind of like the salsa showed earlyer on this thread, makes it so much easyer if you bash on a log to just keep pedaling and go right over with a lil finese.

[soupboy]

I would confirm with Jenson - looks like a stock photo. The vast majority of new and late model cranks are 4 bolt (104bcd) so you are likely fine.

Looks like mine is a 4 bolt, nevermind sean.

Looks like the FSA is also 5 bolt at jensonusa.com. Why would they make it 5 bolt when their cranks are 4 bolt. Maybe the higher end cranks have 5 bolts.

Dang.

[wildkona]

I've never heard of an E13 bash guard breaking til now. I know Dusty used his in an urban settng and the thing took a beating. If they did crack or break wonder if E13 backs them up with an warranty?

[Tegra54]

i have a kooka and a race face....honestly i cant tell the difference, all it is is a hunk of metal, for the largest amount of chi, machine your own

[steef]

I've never heard of an E13 bash guard breaking til now. I know Dusty used his in an urban settng and the thing took a beating. If they did crack or break wonder if E13 backs them up with an warranty?

It is Bob who broke it. :D

[manual63]

Salsa has a few options.

Salsa Chainrings (http://www.salsacycles.com/chainrings.html)

I like the thinner and lighter ones, especially for XC use.

Unless you actually use the outter ring, which you really shouldn't need for most off-road riding, just swap that sucker out with a bash ring and go for the logs, rocks, or whatever you may feel the need to conquer.

[Buck]

-1 for E.13

You can have mine if you don't mind gluing the pieces back together.

The only time I've heard of e.13 stuff breaking is when people over tighten the bolts...could that have happened?

Give e.13 a call they're a solid company, they'll get ya set up!

weRd!
Buck

[Ish]

The only time I've heard of e.13 stuff breaking is when people over tighten the bolts...could that have happened?


After helping Bob wrench on his bike last week, over torq is a very good posibility.

[TB0NE]

A bash guard is a cheap and solid investment. Just get one online and save the hassle of grinding your big ring.

[Buck]

After helping Bob wrench on his bike last week, over torq is a very good posibility.

Yep, the second you fracture around one of the bolts holes the guard is worthless. E.13 ran into this problem a couple years ago. I believe they fixed it by using bigger washers and telling peeps to not over tighten the bolts. I'd definitely give 'em a call about it.

weRd!
Buck

[manual63]

I believe they fixed it by using bigger washers and telling peeps to not over tighten the bolts.

Standard Bykes (http://www.standardbyke.com/) figured this out about.....say......15 years ago. Sometimes I wonder why companies don't look at what has been done already and copy it. I believe Standard started with steel washers to fix the problem. Then they actaully released the clear plastic (not sure what type of plastic) sprocket guard for sale to the public. Later they came out with nylon washers to lighten is up some.

Boo on e.13's part.

[Danimal]

I run a bash guard on my Prophet, works great. Only thing is I can't go as fast as I used to.

[Ish]

Only thing is I can't go as fast as I used to.

I can spin my 32x11 out at around 28-30mph. That's fast enough for most of my mtb applications.

[manual63]

Here is a hint for you big ringers. This should be in Riding Tips, I know.

A smaller ring allows for more revolutions in a shorter distance. This allows for more pedal positions on singletrack. Being in a smaller gear gives you more torque, thus allowing you to position the pedals where you need to, like in a rock garden, and then gives you torque to get through it.

Running in a big ring is for wide open roads and trails. If that's what you are riding, then you ain't riding singletrack......:p

Seriously, ditch the big ring, put on a bash guard. Spin fast when you need speed. I recall Chris D referring to an article about how spinning is better. Better torque and better for your joints too........happy joints.....:)

[bigwheel]

After helping Bob wrench on his bike last week, over torq is a very good posibility.

It's very possible, as I didn't use the torque wrench putting on the plate. However, I looked pretty closely at it, and it didn't break at any of the screw holes.

My guess is that it was from our last day of riding (Hike-A-Bike) where I had to use the bike as a walking stick. My guess is that the plate hit a few rocks sideways while I was schlepping it up/down a hill. My crank arms have a lot of dings/scratches on them, considering that they were new 4 days ago. Still, IMO the plate should be able to handle it. You don't get to choose how you will beat up your bike.

I'm switching back to a metal RaceFace plate. You gotta dance with the one who brung you.

[Buck]

It's very possible, as I didn't use the torque wrench putting on the plate. However, I looked pretty closely at it, and it didn't break at any of the screw holes.

My guess is that it was from our last day of riding (Hike-A-Bike) where I had to use the bike as a walking stick. My guess is that the plate hit a few rocks sideways while I was schlepping it up/down a hill. My crank arms have a lot of dings/scratches on them, considering that they were new 4 days ago. Still, IMO the plate should be able to handle it. You don't get to choose how you will beat up your bike.

I'm switching back to a metal RaceFace plate. You gotta dance with the one who brung you.

Seriously Bob, call e.13, tell them the situation, and I bet you get a new guard. I've put my e.13 stuff through hell and back with out ever breaking one...I doubt your broke it sliding down a hill or from a side impact, I've put mine through way more then that.

weRd!
Buck

[mb598]

bash is the way I would have to look at mine to tell you which one it is but it has saved my butt contless times over the past couple weeks, even if I was a seasoned rider I would still prob ride one