 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I recently got a bike with a SRAM Force groupset.
I've had two incidents of dropping the chain off the inside of the cranks. The second time it happened, it also dislodged what appears to be some sort of chain-catcher (or maybe a decorative part?) which attaches to the inside of the inner chain ring*.
Luckily, it seems to be made of plastic and only did very minor cosmetic scuffing to the chainstays.
The weird thing is, I can'tÂ
(a) Confirm whether this part is decorative or functional and therefore whether it's ok to remove it
(b) See any reference to this part of SRAM service docs
(c) Confirm which exact crankset it is (Giant say "SRAM Force Dub D1 30/43" - those numbers refer to chainring size - whereas SRAM tech support [who I sent the photo below to] say it's SRAM Force AXS D2)
(d) The crankset does NOT have a serial number I can find!
Â
So, firstly, does anyone know what the plastic plate on inner ring is actually supposed to do?
And, secondly (assuming it's functional rather than just decorative), can anyone definitively identify the exact crankset it is so I can figure out whether a new spare part is available?
(I haven't taken off the crankset yet, and don't want to until I have a spare part or know it's safe to remove)
(*The front derailleur has since had its low stop adjusted, so hopefully it won't happen again)
Â
The crank is Force D2. D1 was the previous gen with the light grey accents. Then came D2 which was just a bit of a tart up with sparkly bits, and now we have Force E1 just released in the past few weeks.Â
I would think that your crankset is the 'wide' version, seeing as it's on a gravel bike. The part you're describing is perhaps no. 11.6318.005.000 although a photo would have been helpful!
It's not a part that's found on all (most) force cranksets and I don't know what it actually does because i've never used that particular crankset. I would imagine it rides and shifts just fine without it though. I think it just clips on, so if it's not damaged then you should be able to put it back.
Â
Â
Thanks @Jamz
So it's a "chain jam guide"...I managed to clip it back into place when it detached but didn't take a photo, though the clips looked a bit chewed up so I'm not sure whether it will stay in place.
I'll leave it in place for now but if it happens again, I'll remove it (and hope it doesn't do any damage if it happens 10km+ away from the nearest road, like it did last time...)
Â
