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I'm looking at swapping out my ISCG05 38t bash for one that better suits the 30t ring I'm running. Most options seem to be a plastic skid attached to a metal backing plate. However I've come across the Unity Co product which is entirely aluminium (and comes in pimpy colours :D). Other than getting scratched by impacts is there any reason for the plastic skid rather than metal?
Lower friction and better impact absorption?
You can definitely feel a bit more 'give' in plastic bash guards. If you want to feel the texture of that rock strike through your feet / bum then alu is the way to go! I doubt it makes that much difference though.
I'd guess I'm someone that gets more rock strikes than average (mainly from playing at trials on my MTB), but I've given up using a bashguard. On a 1x setup, the chainring is always protected by the chain so there's no risk of bending / snapping teeth. I have slightly bent a direct mount 1x ring but it still pedalled fine and I only replaced it when the teeth wore out. I haven't noticed any problems with damaging chains. YMMV of course.
Its mainly log strikes in my local woods (as I pretend I'm good enough to ride over fallen trees) but this is also the bike I used on rockier trails. I'm not convinced by the chain protecting the ring as I somehow managed to split a tooth in half without chain damage. Made the chain skip like crazy till I filed it down.
Interesting about the give though can't see it makes much difference. I'd assumed it was so the skid could be replaced.
Saying the chain protects the ring from rocks is a bit like saying that your lips protect your teeth in rugby! Plus a damaged chain can then go on to screw your derailleur and cassette. On my shimano 1x set up the teeth are at or even slightly proud of the chain surface so anything that hits the chain will also hit the tops of the teeth which may interfere with engagement.
I tried an aluminium one once and found it to grab on rocks rather than sliding like polycarbonate or plastic. No difference on wood, but then wood is unlikely to cause much damage. The transfer of impact was also noticeably sharper with aluminium.
I did look at the unite ones and wondered if their minimal shaping meant that they gave way on big impacts which may reduce shock transfer to the ISCG tabs or BB area, but have no idea if this is really an issue or if it was designed that way!
Saying the chain protects the ring is a bit like saying that your lips protect your teeth!
I realise you intended that to be a ridiculous simile but it's pretty accurate. Rock to lips = cut lips. Rock to teeth = dental bills.
I no longer think bashguards are necessary whereas 7-8 yeas ago I did. Obviously if you bash things hard enough then more protection may be required. As I said, YMMV.
My Mondraker Dune came with a carbon bash guard! You would think this would be a stupid material to use - and it probably is. However it has held up better than expected. battered but not broken.
The Unite one is also narrower than the plastic skid ones, so it might be more inclined to dig into softer things like rotting logs.
i recon smashing a metal guard into rocks is likely to lead to the metal 'splintering' around the edges. No risk of performance impact, but it might result in those nasty sharp barbs that you get in your hand whilst you're trying to pick the bike up..
I realise you intended that to be a ridiculous simile but it’s pretty accurate. Rock to lips = cut lips. Rock to teeth = dental bills.
If a rock hits you hard enough in the face to damage your teeth and your lips are in the way they aren't going to stop the damage and are going to get mangled. I speak from experience, both personal and witnessed.
Hmm think I will forget it and go plastic again. Maybe get the whichever model I go for anodised a different colour instead.
Alloy will dig into logs and roots and grind over rocks rather than slide, a thicker poly one will always slide over better. Put it this way, if you had to use one to hack at a log you'd strap the unite one to a handle rather than a poly one.
Shackleton
Full MemberSaying the chain protects the ring from rocks is a bit like saying that your lips protect your teeth in rugby!
If you had squishy teeth and steel lips, then yeah, that'd be a good metaphor.
I liked bashrings, I like how they look- still got one of those amazing Truvativ delft china ones. But I've tested the "chain protects the ring and is tough enough not to worry much about" a lot of times and it's never failed me. And that's despite having broken a Gamut bash