rear mech guard???

carbonkid

just fitted my new sram xo rear mech and shifter and have been reading a few worrying reviews about how easy it is to snap the carbon cage on the rear mech. so was thinking back to the 1990's when every mountain bike was fitted with a metal guard. is there a reason you dont see them on bikes any more? maybe just fashion or the fact the guard didnt really do much?

mcnultycop

My little girl's new bike came with one on (and red jockey wheels, still annoys me I haven't got them).



I'd imagine the reason they are no longer fitted is because they are likely to cause more accidents as they get caught on things and won't snap. I'd rather my mech broke than my mech guard got tangled up in something and knocked me off the bike.

carbonkid

yeah good point, might try to make a carbon guard that will snap under impact, bit like a rear mech hanger is supposed to do, let you know if successfull

njee20

They were never on 'decent' bikes, always a BSO/kids bike thing, where they're still prevalent.

MTBUK

My zesty has a smart carbon fin that protects the rear mech.

bennett_346

My specialized came with a carbon fin also, but since i have a shadow mech i see no point in fitting it.

cooldad

carbonkid wrote:

just fitted my new sram xo rear mech and shifter and have been reading a few worrying reviews about how easy it is to snap the carbon cage on the rear mech. so was thinking back to the 1990's when every mountain bike was fitted with a metal guard. is there a reason you dont see them on bikes any more? maybe just fashion or the fact the guard didnt really do much?

Seems a bit pointless to have a superlight carbon mech and add a chunk of metal to protect it. The little carbon wing on the Zestys looks ok though.