Black Spire Bash Guard

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This is the 4-arm, 104 bolt-circle-diameter (bcd) model. Covers my 44t big ring. Other sizes/styles are available.</div> <div> <B>Source:</B> Ordered online from <A HREF="http://www.blueskycycling.com/" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.blueskycycling.com/">Blue Sky Cycling</A>. Other online vendors carry the product, as well.</div> <div> <B>More info:</B> <A HREF="http://www.blackspire.com/" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.blackspire.com/">Black Spire Web site</A>.</div> <div> <B>Recommended?:</B> Yes.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="644" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 38 ><NOBR><div> Ratings</div> <div> (1 is lowest, 5 is highest)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="398"><div> Comments</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="149"><div> Effectiveness</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="71"><div> 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="398"><div> No big ring dings since installed</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> Ease of Installation</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="71"><div> 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="398"><div> Comes with extra-long ring bolts</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="149"><div> Cost/Value</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="71"><div> 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> Cheaper than a big ring; `way cheaper than 10 big rings</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="149"><div> Style</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="71"><div> 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="398"><div> It says “BIG RING” right on it!</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>As my Kona goads me into tackling bigger and gnarlier obstacles,</B> my distaste for pranging my big ring becomes the main thing holding me back. (That, common sense, and a fear of tedious recovery from painful injury.) Big rings ain't cheap, and it doesn't take too many whacks against logs and rocks to send a big ring to the scrap pile. I'd rather buy one bash guard than a dozen big rings.</div> <div> The Black Spire model came with the necessary, longer chainring bolts. Installation was a 15-minute snap.</div> <div> I'm not the wildest rider on the trail, but I have put the Black Spire to frequent use since I installed it some months ago. Each time it has done exactly what I wanted it to do - it has provided protection for my big ring. Other, similar products have serrations or teeth on their edges to help riders pedal over logs. I've not found the smooth perimeter of the Black Spire to be a disadvantage.</div> <div> If there is a disadvantage, it is weight. The Black Spire adds 323 grams - about three-quarters of a pound - to a bike that was already pretty porky. The silver lining to that dark cloud of mass is that the Big Ring Protector itself is bash-worthy. Mine has not deformed despite some seriously heavy hits. Black Spire makes a polycarbonate model that they say clocks in at 180 grams. At a half-inch thick, the poly design probably provides solid protection, but the tech weenie in me thinks aluminum is even tougher. I'd be especially concerned about the poly model's ability to resist side loading, the effect of cold temperatures on its performance, and the possibility of small stress fractures developing around the mounting holes.</div> <div> A heavy big ring bash guard doesn't belong on a lightweight race bike or an XC rig, but on a go-anywhere, “C'mon we can clean it" tank like my Kona, it's a virtual necessity.</div> <div> <B><U>Photos</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="2538ae80.jpg" border=0 width="650" height="488" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> An unprotected big ring looks so vulnerable - because it is.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="2558ae80.jpg" border=0 width="650" height="488" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The extra-long chainring bolts needed to secure the guard come with it. A dab of <A HREF="http://www.devcon.com/devconfamilyproduct.cfm?familyid=347&sr=1" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.devcon.com/devconfamilyproduc">Permatex blue gel threadlocker</A> will ensure that the guard and rings stay happily wedded to the crank spider. <A HREF="http://www.loctite.com/int_henkel/loctite_us/index.cfm?&pageid=19&layout=3" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.loctite.com/int_henkel/loctit">Loctite </A>also offers a fine medium-strength threadlocker (#242) as well as a number of special applications products (e.g. oil resistant, high temp). But I've had great results with Devcon Permatex products and I really like the twist applicator and gel consistency.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="257e88a0.jpg" border=0 width="488" height="650" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The installed bash guard gives excellent protection to my 44-tooth big ring. Despite the seemingly tight clearance between the guard and the front derailleur, shifting was unaffected. There's plenty of room for my Race Face Evolve's crank arm; even a Saint arm should fit.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>