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About Chain Guards

There are different levels of bikers. Some of them simply love to keep their bike as they bought it, while others like to embellish the bike with accessories and get the most out of it. One of the things that the latter group like to add to their bikes is a good chain guard to protect themselves and their bikes.

For an outsider, cycling might seem simple enough. You just need to pedal it. But only an experienced rider will know all the nuances and niceties of a bike. Even something that looks really simple, like a handlebar, comes in a dozen different varieties. The hardest part is figuring out what type of handlebars to you for what purpose. Similarly, there are hundreds of other parts that you can customise in a bike, including bash guards. Read this page to know more about them. Having a better understanding of them will help you make the right choices while shopping for them.

A beginner’s guide to buying chain guards

Chain guards are usually circular disks that attach to the chainset of a bike. You can either install it as a replacement for a large chainring or as a supplement to it. Unlike many other bike parts, these guards do not have to undergo any significant level of stress under normal riding conditions. Therefore, you can find them in a wide range of materials and shapes. Here is a brief guide that will help you decide what kind of bash guard you should be having. On this page, you will find a lot of useful tips that will help you while shopping for chain guards.

The function of a chain guard

If you are unfamiliar with the term chain guard, don’t be surprised. It also comes in other names like “bash guard”, “chaincase”, “gear case”, etc. The basic function of this bike accessory is, like the name implies, to protect the chain of the bike. However, that is not all. While protecting the chain, the guard also prevents things from getting trapped in the chainrings. That being said, not all chain guards look or work the same. Some of them fully cover the chain, while others only cover the chain partially. Then there are guards that are basically a tube that covers the chain and protects it.

Adding a chain guard

Some bikes come with all kinds of guards preinstalled. Cruiser bikes and city bikes put more emphasis on the comfort and safety of the rider and don’t mind the extra weight of the guards. However, if you look at mountain bikes, BMXs, or racing bikes, more often than not, you won’t see a bash guard. This is because such bikes prioritise performance over comfort. Therefore, manufacturers try to reduce weight in whatever ways they can. In such scenarios or cases, you can use a third-party guard for the bike. This will help you reduce repairs.

Riding without a chain guard

Some people are not very sure whether or not they should add a guard to the bike or not. If you find yourself in your situation, considering the benefits of having a guard against not having one will help you clear things up a little bit. One of the primary reasons not to have a chain guard is the reduction in weight. While a bash guard on its own might not be that big of a deal, people who are serious about performance try to shave off every bit of weight that they can. However, if you value the durability of the bike and comfort and don’t mind adding a few grams to the bike, then it is worth installing a guard.

Chainguard alternatives

If you favour the weight reduction that you get by not having the mountain bike chain guard but also want more durability out of your bike chain, you can instead go for a chain guide. Instead of going all the way through the trajectory of the chain, the chain guide simply attaches to the front of the ring. By doing so, the guide holds the chain in place even on difficult terrains. The chain guide works similar to a cassette tape. It prevents the chain from jumping up or moving sideways and makes sure that the chain stays in the ring.

Tips on how to buy Chain Guards Online

At first, finding the right type of chain guard might seem like a really easy thing to do. However, it might be harder than you might think because of the variety that exists within them. There are bash guards that come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, materials and event designs. That being said, it is going to be easy to select one if you know what factors to consider while selecting them.

  • Consider the bike – Before buying a chain guard, you should make sure that the one you are buying is the correct fit for your bike. Just as bikes frames vary between models, the guards also vary in size and fit. Moreover, for the guard to be useful, it is essential to use the right model.
  • Material – Most bash guards out there are metal. Metal guards are generally cheaper and offer great durability and protection. However, these days, there are synthetic materials that offer some advantages over metal ones. Plastic chain guards for bicycles are cheaper than metal guards.
  • Weight – The primary reason why sports bikes choose not to install guards on their bikes is to achieve as less weight as possible. However, you can use guards made from weightless materials with comparable results. There are guards made from synthetic polymers and carbon fibre that keep the weight to a minimum while providing better protection.
  • Coverage – Guards are classified into fully covering or partially covering. As you might have thought, this depends on how large the guard really is. Partial guards are much smaller than full coverage guards. Intuitively, the coverage and protection partial guards offer are inferior to that of the full coverage ones. However, partial guards give a good compromise between performance and protection.

If you love riding bikes, then you might need a few other bike parts apart from chain guards. These include things like handlebars, seat posts, saddles, safety lights, helmets, bicycle vests, tyres, wheel accessories, and locks. You can find any of these easily using our shopping search engine. It will also let you compare the prices and features of different products and pick the best one among them. So, don’t forget to check out all the other amazing products from the bikes category.

Question & Answer

How to adjust the chain guard on a road bike?

The first question to ask before you get to run to grab a spanner and a screwdriver is why you want to adjust the guard on your bike. In the case of a fixie bike or a single geared road bike, there is hardly any reason to adjust the chain guard unless the guard is damaged or pressing against the chain. However, if you are using a bike with multiple gears, an improperly positioned guard might come between the chain and the gear shifter. This can sometimes cause the chain to derail when you shift gears. Adjusting the guard is pretty simple, though. All you need is to loosen the screw and adjust the position of the guard such that there is enough room between the gear shifter and the guard.

What size chain guard do I need?

The size of the guard depends on two things. Firstly, the model of your bike. Chain guards of larger bikes are usually larger. Another factor that determines the guard size is the type of the guard itself. Intuitively, guards that offer more coverage are also larger. As a result, such guards are also heavier than partial guards. One way to lower the weight of the guard, even while using a bigger guard, is to choose a lighter material. Materials like plastic, fibreglass, and carbon fibre offer you the benefit of being lightweight.

Where to buy chain guards online in the UAE?

Some people really like to have chain guards on their bikes, while others do not so much. But if you fall into the very first category, the good news is that there are plenty of shops where you can find good quality bash guards here in the UAE. one of the best places to shop for them is, of course, Shops.ae. It is incredibly easy to find the right model using our shopping search engine. Moreover, you will be able to buy them for really affordable prices as well. Amongst the brands you can choose from include Shimano, Specialized, Brompton, Electra, Giant, Trek, and Batavus.