Chain guide to convert to 9 speed setup

jamiestogden

I've currently got a triple XT chainset and as I've broken my front mech and never really use the large and small ring was looking at removing all the unwanted weight and converting to single ring, 9 speed ride. I don't really want to change the cranks themselves as I can't afford it.

Can anyone give any advice on how easy this would be and what I would be looking at? I'm not sure if I need a chain guide AND a bash ring to stop the chain slipping off when shifting along the back.

I was looking at the MRP 1.X http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... uide-34957 would this do the trick? Any alternatives? Cheaper the better...

Thanks in advance

GHill

There's an Aussie product called the widgit. Not tired it though.

jamiestogden

Oh, and would I need to get some different bolts for the crank arm and middle ring or would my standard bolts leftover from my triple chainset be ok?

ilovedirt

Yeah that MRP guide would work, though you can get a superstar laser chain guide for £35 posted with top and bottom guides, i have one and they're really good.
Link

But yeah, all you need to do is remove the granny and outer rings (you'll need shorter chainring bolts if you don't run a bash guard) and stick the chain guide on. Does your frame have ISCG mounts? if so, you'll need to find out if it's ISCG 05 or ISCG old, or if it has neither, get that guide i just linked to, as it comes with a bottom bracket mount. You don't NEED a bash guard, i don't run one, as i don't do any really hardcore riding, though you might want one, it's your preference really.

I did exactly what you're thinking of doing a few months ago, as i never used the big ring or the granny ring, got some new cranks (SLX dual ring), just because i fancied them, got rid of the granny ring and the bash that came with it and stuck the chain guide on, easy!

mendipracer

I am doing the same ( putting a chainguide on a single ring). I have truvativ gxp crank however when I take the big ring and the granny ring off, the middle ring is loose. You mention shorter chainring bolts. Where can i get these???

Thanks in advance

jamiestogden

mendipracer wrote:

I am doing the same ( putting a chainguide on a single ring). I have truvativ gxp crank however when I take the big ring and the granny ring off, the middle ring is loose. You mention shorter chainring bolts. Where can i get these???

You should be able to get them from any bike shop, they'll be something like this

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/116036.html

llamafarmer

GHill wrote:

There's an Aussie product called the widgit. Not tired it though.

I was looking at that yesterday. I've been thinking about going to a double and bash ring on my hardtail, but the Widgit looks interesting...

jamiestogden

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to get either the MRP 1.x or the E.13 XCX depending on what's in stock after payday this Friday.

The both look pretty much the same, are light, very easy to keep clean and both look easy enough to fit (on bottom bracket, I've not got ISCG mounts).