My setup is 1x9, using a non clutch rear mech. I want to stick with this because I have a proper pivot for the rear mech that doesn't wear out instantly like the shadow mechs.

Having used the bike a few times, all was well running my velosolo single ring (3/32" wide basically), and to be fair my little bro could hop it on the rear wheel etc. and the chain would stay on. Had a superstar xcr chain guide on for a bit of extra security.

Anyway, at the weekend I was riding round Coed-Y-Brenin, and er couldn't keep the chain on for love nor money. Had to properly faff with the chain guide in the end to get it to work and get round. Now I suspect riding fully rigid round the black run didn't help things (I'm also impressed I didn't fall off!), but basically the superstar designed chainguide using just a grub screw is a bit naff. Are you just gonna tell me to get a paul components one? It does look like a better design. (As an aside, this chain guide has worked well on my commuter bike day in day out, but trail centre riding does slap the chain about a bit more...!).

So could you lot throw a few other ideas about please

(I am aware of this thick-thin chainring malarky and clutch mechs, but I wanna stick with 9 speed for the moment.)

Fitting a NW chainring with no clutch mech or chain guide will give you 90% as good as with a clutch mech.

However, if you want to keep the security of a proper chain guide I have a Paul top guide I really ought to sell. (I'd still get the NW ring as well).

I've got a Pauls Keeper ... it's lovely

TT rings aren't just for 10spd, they will help when you're running 9.

Although I've not used one, the chain devices that attach to the chainstay seem to work well from what I've seen ... Bionicon C guard, pretty much like a Daves Chain Device.

Dyffers wrote:Fitting a NW chainring with no clutch mech or chain guide will give you 90% as good as with a clutch mech.

However, if you want to keep the security of a proper chain guide I have a Paul top guide I really ought to sell. (I'd still get the NW ring as well).

Interested in that. I thought my wide only ring (rather than narrow wide) would have been pretty good and I was impressed - in normal riding it worked find without a guide. Not so impressed now

Having just had a closer look having taken the bike out of the car now, it seems I've bent the chain guide, which then meant it started jumping off and hence the faff on the trail to make it broadly work again.

s8tannorm wrote: Although I've not used one, the chain devices that attach to the chainstay seem to work well from what I've seen ... Bionicon C guard, pretty much like a Daves Chain Device.

That looks like it keeps your chain clean too!

Ha ha, I've just read

Note: This is not designed for downhill, freeride, or big hit use.

off paul's components website. I was using the superstar equivalent....and being on a rigid bike + doing a black trail centre run & following a certain UK gravity enduro champ down a off piste trail in betws-y-coed is probably a bit outside what they're designed for

Guess I should get something a bit meetier and/or fix my suspension bike so I can use that instead on stuff like that

I've used the Superstar BB-mounted top guide and their full top and bottom guide. Neither kept the chain on.

I know lots of people have used them and had good results. I'm not one if them. I went back to a double and bash, which is 90% better. When it wears out I'll go 10 speed and prob 1x NW + clutch

Chris, what is the problem you're getting with Shadow Mechs? Mine have lasted perfectly well with thousands of miles of use in all weathers. Maybe you don't like them because they are new?

mountainbaker wrote:Chris, what is the problem you're getting with Shadow Mechs? Mine have lasted perfectly well with thousands of miles of use in all weathers. Maybe you don't like them because they are new?

I'll have you know I bought a shadow mech back in '08 literally the moment they came onto the market. I find the pivot wears out really quick compared to a conventional one. Yes I got several thousand miles out of them, but that's all....

Fair enough! I've not had any trouble, yet