 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Right then, I'm converting my XTR M958 drive chain to 1x10, probably with a Wolftooth thick thin front chainring. I've got a clutch rear mech so will I need a front chain guide.
I'm setting the bike up as a spare bike for CX duties so it'll be used in muddy conditions rather than anything rough.
Generally no chain guide needed (1x10 with a narrow/wide is more reliable than 1x10 with no narrow-wide and a chain device ime). Chain device still isn't a terrible idea tbh but definitely an opt-in
I don't think you'll need a chainguide.
Not had the chain drop once with a NW chainring and a clutch mech in over a year (sometimes I forget to set the clutch to "on" - still not dropped the chain). I don't do DH type stuff though, I prefer long XC rides out on natural trails.
Cheers I'll try without
I never dropped chains using NW and clutch until the week leading up to the EWS at tweedlove. Then I dropped it on almost every stage.
I got one of these http://77designz.com/product/freesolo-iscg-03-bsa
20 grams including hardware.
I have 3 NW rings from RF,Wolf Tooth and AB and have never dropped a chain, including riding in the Alps. My hardtail doesn't even have a clutch mech and no issues.
You won't need a chainguide but you will struggle to find one to fit anyway
I recently tried, more as I wanted a bash guard for the Alps and have a pressfit BB
Anything MRP or superstar won't wont, problem is the crank arms / chainring tabs clash with the upper guide as the afar crank has a really low q factor
I ended up swapping my cranks out for the XT ones on my HT so I could use the MRP G3 I had bought
once my narrow wide began wearing out I dropped my chain fairly often. New ring and no dropping