Bash guards serve as a preventive tool for keeping trail bikes from getting damaged by chainrings. It is used on gravity to stop rocks, logs, and all other forms of obstacles on race tracks from causing any damage to the chainrings of a trail bike. Therefore, it is essential you have the best mtb chain guide and bash guards for your bike.
The bash guards come in a design of circular discs connected to the chainset in place of the big chainring. Bash guards are constructed with high-end polycarbonate and aluminium, which makes them very great at absorbing impacts.
Bash guards or rings can be used alongside chain guides that are on bikes. Most of these bikes are made for high octane, big hit riding like enduro racing and downhill, etc. Also, they are used for slopestyle and free ride.
However, the lightweight version or smaller versions are becoming popular on general trail bikes; hence we have collected the best mtb chain guide and bash guards for you.
Top 10 MTB Bash Guards
ABSOLUTE BLACK Bash Guide Premium Chain Guide
If you need the best bash guide for your mountain bike then the Absolute black bash guide is the perfect choice for you.
The bash guide is lightweight and comes with a simplistic design hence it is easy to attach. Also, the bash guide features an adjustable chain line for universal compatibility.
With this bash guide, you can be sure big hits won’t interrupt your flow. Just attach the Absolute Black Bash Guide Premium Chain Guide to your rig to be sure your chain stays attached during rowdy trails.
Pros
- Lightweight material
- Fully adjustable
- Includes more spacers
ethirteen LG1+ Chain Guide 28-38t Bash ISCG-05, Black
The ethirteen LGI chain guide is one of the best mtb chain guide in the market hence it’s always on popular demand.
You can trust this product because of its beautiful features such as the chainring size indicator for a simple adjustment.
Also, the lower armature is adjustable and replaceable. You can easily change chains and chainrings without removing wear plates
Pros
- Keeps sprocket safe
- Perfect for every bike
Funn Zippa DH Chain Guide, ISCG05 Interface, BSA Adapter Included
The Funn Zippa chain guide is another awesome mountain bike chain guide that is worth the money. If you need a chain guide designed and made for downhill machines, here is the best choice.
Additionally, the heavy-duty construction keeps your chain on the ring and the underside bash guard ensures chainring protection.
Lastly, you don’t have to worry about compatibility as the chain guide is ISCG05 interface compatible.
Pros
- Comes with a super burly 6061 alloy backplate
- Tooth capacity is 32T – 38T
- Comes with an external type BB adapter
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MRP AMg V2 Alloy Chain Guide
Here is one of the best mtb chain guide in the market made with alloy. MRP focuses solely on drivetrain accessories and suspension, bestowing careful attention on its small family of products.
The AMg has a simple, effective design that guards, rather than guides, your chain through a ride. In fact, you’ll be able to install and make adjustments on it yourself using only a 4mm hex wrench.
Also, MRP added a nylon skid plate to further shield your chainrings through chunky rock gardens, aiming for smoother transitions through bumpy spots.
It also updated the upper guide, using a softer durometer alloy interior for noiseless guiding when you’re out on the trails.
Pros
- Alloy material
- Recommended for Trail and Enduro
MRP XCg Micro Bash Guard ISCG-05 30T Black
The XCg bash guard mounts directly to the bike frame to protect the crank and chainrings from damage.
Also, the nylon skid glides over rocks and the bash guard comes with a sturdy aluminium backplate for extra durability and stiffness.
Stealth and strength are the two symbol this bash guard is known for hence you can be surer this bash guard will last you for a long time.
Pros
- Solid Aluminum
- Easy to mount
- Lightweight
How to Choose The Best MTB Chain Guide and Bash Guards
When choosing the best chain guide and bash guard, you should consider various things like if you want to run a double, single, or triple-chainring setup. The size of the chainring to be used determines what bash ring to choose.
Bash rings are characterised into different sizes based on their teeth; we have the 34t or 36t. In reality, they don’t have teeth.
Looking at riders, the majority of them who are interested in using a bash ring is majorly running a single or double ring setup. They will have the bash ring fitted in place of the most massive chainring.
In the case of riders who are interested in maintaining the big rings, there are various rings available. These available rings can be mounted in the outside of the crankset while also coming with a split design to accommodate the crank.
What is The Best Bash Guard
There are two significant types of bash guards, and they are known as the frame-mounted bash guard, and the chainset mounted bash guard.
Either of these two serves a different purpose, and you will like just how they operate. The choice of choosing the two is mostly dependent on you. However, we will be discussing just how good both are below.
The Chainset-mounted Bash Guard
The chainset-mounted bash guard has its majority attached to the crankset spider with the use of a four-bolt attachment. They are built to be bigger than the most massive chainring that is being used. It has its overlapping edge protecting the teeth on the other chainring from damage brought by hitting logs or rocks.
The fact about the chainset-mounted bash guard is that they are without teeth, and they are built with enough durability. Hence, they can take rugged use.
You can fix the chainset-mounted bash guard on any bike. Also, they are mainly used alongside a separate chain retention device, also known as a chain guide.
The Frame-mounted Bash Guard
Frame-mounted bash guard is a type of bash guard that comes mounted with the frame, forming a comprehensive, integrated chain retention system.
The Frame-mounted bash guard generally takes the form skid plates or half guards for use alongside with the chain devices from the manufacturers. These serve as a type of overall protection system for the whole drivetrain or chain guide.
If you fit a frame-mounted bash guard, you need to know the type of mounts or fittings attached to your frame so you can get a fitting guide.
Most of the frames are made for DH, FR, or trail/Enduro use. These types of frame come featuring particular mounts-metal tabs. They are found on the drive side of the bottom bracket shell in which you will find the attached plate for this type of bash guard.
These two types of bash guards are designed to come with two different and standard sizings.
The ancient type of sizing is the International Standard Chain Guide (ISCG), and the most recent sizing is the ISCG 05.
In the case where you have a frame that does not have either of the ISCG sizings, you are still able to run a frame-mounted bash guard with the help of an adaptor. The adaptor will be securely attached to the bottom bracket shell.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Best Bash Guards in the Market?
The best bash guard in the market are designed with topnotch materials and will readily serve the purpose of purchase with no worries attached. Majorly, the best bash guards are designed with high-quality aluminum material as well as a durable polycarbonate material. These materials are excellent at absorbing impact from any form of obstacles, be it rock, log or any obstacle. Also, high and efficient bash guards are made to be lightweight, so it won’t slow down your riding while also giving maximum protection along the way.
There are a lot of bash guards in the market, but we will be listing a few names to give you a pointer to their quality.
- BBG Bashguard
- Blackspire C4 Super God Bash Guard
- MRP G2
- e*thirteen SuperCharger
- Shimano Saint Bashguard
- Race Face Lightweight Bash
- Nashbar Mountain Bike Bashguard
- Race Face Single Chainring
- TruvativRockGuard
These are some of the most popular bash guards in the market, and they come with optimum quality.
Do I need narrow-wide chainring?
The essence of having a narrow-wide chainring is to protect chain retention. Hence, you can choose to use a narrow-wide chainring for added protection.
Before narrow-wide chainrings come into play, it was essential to making use of a chain guide to stop the chain from falling. Since narrow-wide chainring is now available, it is not necessary to mount a chain guide.
Conclusion
The best mtb chain guide and bash guards for bikes are designed generally for the protection of bike riders, and it is necessary to take your time to buy the best in the market.
With all of the information listed in this article, we believe you will make the best decision while purchasing because it is all about your safety.
Read all the information to have a proper understanding of what is required to buying the best bash guard and the best chain guide.