Chain Catchers.. Really?!

bus_ter
bus_ter Posts: 337
edited February 2012 in Workshop
I've seen a few references to chain catchers recently. Are these really necessary or worth while? If your chain is falling off then surely it's a problem with your derailleur adjustment/chain length etc and fitting a chain catcher is just treating the symptoms rather than curing the problem?

Comments

  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,923
    I use one. You're right in that it should not be used to cure bad front mech adjustment. But I just use it as extra protection. And plus if you did drop a chain it would make some nice little marks on the bottom bracket area of your frame. So using one also protects your frame if the chain did drop.
    ***** Pro Tour Pundit Champion 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2011 *****
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Yepp, I use them (the cheapo Deda dogfangs). I found that even with a well adjusted front mech that I would drop the chain just every now and then (couldn't reproduce it on the turbo, etc.). So, not often but when it did drop it was usually just on the first section of a hill which meant stopping, fixing and losing all momentum. No problems since, sorted.
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    bus_ter wrote:
    I've seen a few references to chain catchers recently. Are these really necessary or worth while? If your chain is falling off then surely it's a problem with your derailleur adjustment/chain length etc and fitting a chain catcher is just treating the symptoms rather than curing the problem?

    In a perfect world they wouldn't be needed, but even pro tour bikes use them, better to be safe than sorry.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,536
    they are there for the times when, for whatever reason, the chain comes off - hitting a bump at the wrong moment, over-enthusiastic back pedal at a stop, etc. - should be rare, but it can happen

    they are cheap and light, they stop the chain coming off

    a bit like insurance, you hope you'll never need it, but if you ever do, you're glad you have it
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • Dales1
    Dales1 Posts: 46
    But why does nobody sell them for triple users in this country??
    Does the chain only come off doubles?

    Dales.
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    De-chaining is really only an issue on single chainring setups where you dont have a front mech to act as a chainkeeper. Modern chains have so much lateral flex that they can bounce off, no matter how your rear mech is adjusted.
    On my single ring bikes I use an old front mech as a chain keeper.
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    The new Sram Red comes with one built into the front mech.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    Dales1 wrote:
    But why does nobody sell them for triple users in this country??
    Does the chain only come off doubles?

    http://www.acecosportgroup.com/shop/k-e ... tcher.html
  • waste of time?

    Tell that to Andy Shleck
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    If mine never gets used, great...

    The one time it does (and saves my paint on the crank and getting dropped up a hill) I will be happy I bought it.

    Can't lose.
  • bobgfish
    bobgfish Posts: 545
    But why does nobody sell them for triple users in this country??

    I have a rotor one fitted to a triple. Never used it so far proabably becuase I also never use the very inner ring.
  • cwm
    cwm Posts: 177
    this guy used a zip tie,scroll down in link

    http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... =3&t=73155
    now sharing my plods on
    http://www.strava.com/athletes/cwm
  • K-Edge :D


    Token also do a copy version of above far cheaper


    Yep Mr Shlek indeed :roll:
    Team4Luke supports Cardiac Risk in the Young
  • jomoj
    jomoj Posts: 777
    Dales1 wrote:
    But why does nobody sell them for triple users in this country??
    Does the chain only come off doubles?

    Dales.
    Deda dog fang works on a triple, double or single. Dead cheap, light and it works.
  • markyone
    markyone Posts: 1,126
    K edge for me,never had one fitted on other bikes but now use one,
    just in case.
    Colnago c60 Eps super record 11
    Pinarello F8 with sram etap
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    If you're running 14 different on the front, and 12 on the back (53/39 11-23) then the ease of making it completely safe means it's not worth it, if you're running 16 on the front and 17 on the back - 52/36 11-28, and want to change whereever then it's much more likely to jump off as you're asking a lot more of your derailleur. So in that situation is more worth having one. They don't cost much and will make things better. What's the reason to be against them?
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    My triple came fitted with a Deda Dod Fang. Only noticed it after a few weeks. Cheap, discreet insurance.
  • lemon63
    lemon63 Posts: 253
    Has anyone got one fitted to a Cube, I don't think a Dog Fang will fit due to the way the frame tapers out just above the bb, was wondering if a K-Edge clamp type would fit.
    It's an Agree GTC Pro btw.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,786
    cwm wrote:
    this guy used a zip tie,scroll down in link

    http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... =3&t=73155

    Absolute Genius!! :lol:
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver