Chain guards

[John S2]

One obvious advantage of hub gears is the ability to add a chain guard and then (a) put as much lubrication as you want on the chain and (b) be able to commute in light-coloured work trousers without disasters.  SJSC have a chain guard in their on-line shop but don't seem to offer to fit one to their Ravens - any thoughts?

[marcg]

You are quite right.  Full chainguard/chaincase is possible with the Raven.  I have one fitted to mine and it gives fantastic protection and after 1000kms of all weather travelling, the chain and sprockets are pretty well completely clean and shiny.  Fantastic.

I used a Pashley chainguard which I got for about £30.  It's a little bigger than I need but looks fine.  You can see pictures of my Raven on this forum.
Pashely wouldn't supply me directly so I had to get the guard through an LBS.  It fits very easily and very well.

[Stijn]

Thorn makes a nice bash guards too. But only for some selected crank sets. In the past I’ve hit my chainring on a bumps before, but now with my lightweight aluminum chainring I’d be sure to damage it if unprotected.

The added bonus is that my trouser nolonger get durty as well, and I think it helps a little against grit hitting the chain.

Cheers,

Stijn

[stevebush]

I used a modified Pashley Princess chainguard and got 10,000 miles on one set of cahin and sprockets (mostly on a trans-ISA trip in 1999).
I changed the chain, not because it broke, but because it was worn and I was off touring again, so didn't want to risk a chain that old.

The down-side of a full chain guard is that it takes ages to get the back wheel out if you get a flat.

[marcg]

My full chaincase adds only a few minutes to rear wheel removal.  Well worth the extra effort for the protection I get to my chain and sprockets.

[weissenhorn]

Dear Marc,
after reading your enthusiastic contribution about your chainguard and being quite unsuccesful myself when trying to get any further information about available makes and dimensions from pashleys to fit one on my raven tour. i wonder wether you could tell me the dimensions and part no. of the one you use. What size chainring and bottom bracket do you use?javascript:insertsmilie('[?]')
Thank you
Guenter

quote:Originally posted by marcg

My full chaincase adds only a few minutes to rear wheel removal.  Well worth the extra effort for the protection I get to my chain and sprockets.

[?]

[marcg]

The chainguard is a standard Pashley chainguard.  I'm not aware of size differences.  Mine is a little on the large size but it looks fine and does the job.  You do need a longer bottom bracket.  Mine is 118mm instead of the orginal 113mm.
My chainring is 38t but because the chaincase is large there would have been no problem accomodating a larger chainring.

As I have already said, the protection of the sprockets and chain is fantastic.  After a year of regular use the parts are still gleaming and grit-free.

The chaincase adds only a few minutes to rear wheel removal and replacement but not long enough to be an issue.  After you have rehearsed it 2 or 3 times it becomes very easy.  The Pashely chaincase has plastic clips on it and so it is only necessary to undo 2 allen bolts at the front end of it to remove it.  My chaincase uses the bottleholder fixings to secure it.  The bottle holder fits on top.

[kwvogel]

I'm curious if anyone has any experience with the chainguard at:

http://www.noell-fahrradbau.de/specials.htm

especially with respect to fitting it to a Raven!

[marcg]

Wow! That is an interesting chainguard.  I can't read the page but I'll find a transaltion soon.  However, it looks a bit pricey at 95 Euros plus what I take to be about 8 Euros delivery.  But ... I love a gadget ....!

[marcg]

The automatic translation isn't very good but it seems that the kit comprises the forward chainguard and the rear sprocket guard and two lengths of tube which you cut according to the length of your chain.
Brilliant.  Simple.  Why didn't I think of it.  It must save some weight over the Pashley guard I am using and should reveal the lines of the bike a bit better.
I've contacted them asking for info in English.  
I'll report back.

[marcg]

I called Germany.

The owner of the company who is called Noel seemed surprised that anyone should have heard of the chaincase.  He agreed that maybe it would be useful to get an English translation of the spec.
The tubes are made of Teflon and the fore and aft cases are made of some very light special plastic which he was unable to name for me in English.
He doesn't know the weight of the system and said that maybe he would include that detail in the English spec.
The bummer is that it is only made in one size - 16 on the rear and 44 on the front.
He said that if anyone wanted to order 200 pieces in another size then he could do that size.
Finally, the only colour available at the moment is black.  Presumably he could do other colours for a bulk order.

[PH]

Looks good, though for me the 44/16 gearing would be too high.  I also wonder how it would affect the adjustment on the EBB.

[kwvogel]

There is another similar chainguard from http://www.utopia-fahrrad.de/.  I do not see it on the website, but in the downloadable .pdf catalog on page 59.  My command of the German language is nonexistant, so I cannot tell if this is available as a stand-alone item or if it is compatable (or available) for different sized front chain rings.

[Colin]

Utopia Country Google translation & page address below:

Pay attention to the correct funicular curve and install them
the rear framework attachment best with a clip (Sram
resignation clip) if your framework here no thread eye have.
Which versions are there?

There are two colors:
Country silver
Country black.
for Rohloff speed stroke
Two remarks
?
for Sram 7-Gang. ?

Two sizes
for chain sheet with 38 teeth
for chain sheet with 44 teeth
The Country is flexibly adaptable to Hinterbauten of
different lengths. It fits also with Rohloff with rope box or
disc brake. With Sram 7-Gang it is no matter whether
resignation or free-wheel.
We recommend to let the Country in a framework place
install absolutely. We cannot give guarantee that the
Country to all bicycle types in the market are fits!
10/08/04 23:36 Utopia bicycle equipment
Page 7 sur 14
 http://216.239.39.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=de%7Cen&u=http://www.utopia-fahrrad.de/Zubehoer_Html/Kapitel_Html/141_Country_Nachruesten_17.html&prev=/language_tools

[Colin]

Utopia Country Google translation & page address below:

Pay attention to the correct funicular curve and install them
the rear framework attachment best with a clip (Sram
resignation clip) if your framework here no thread eye have.
Which versions are there?

There are two colors:
Country silver
Country black.
for Rohloff speed stroke
Two remarks
?
for Sram 7-Gang. ?

Two sizes
for chain sheet with 38 teeth
for chain sheet with 44 teeth
The Country is flexibly adaptable to Hinterbauten of
different lengths. It fits also with Rohloff with rope box or
disc brake. With Sram 7-Gang it is no matter whether
resignation or free-wheel.
We recommend to let the Country in a framework place
install absolutely. We cannot give guarantee that the
Country to all bicycle types in the market are fits!
10/08/04 23:36 Utopia bicycle equipment
Page 7 sur 14
 http://216.239.39.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=de%7Cen&u=http://www.utopia-fahrrad.de/Zubehoer_Html/Kapitel_Html/141_Country_Nachruesten_17.html&prev=/language_tools