beng1

Every mountain and road bike sold in the last sixty+ years has had two or three front front exposed sprockets in the same exact location as my bike, or didn't you notice ??? Some of the lower-end bikes such as my Huffy did come with a guard ring bolted to the outermost sprocket, but the typical elitist that frequents bicycling forums turns their nose up at those. They work great for keeping your pants clean of oil, and for that reason it is on my list to put them on as many of my bikes as possible.

genejockey 

Please. There's nobody more elitist than the "reverse snob". Nobody cares as much about his equipment and his image than the guy who tries to prove he's not elitist.

Eric F 

I haven’t ridden a bike while wearing pants since I was on my childhood BMX bike. As such, a chainring guard is an unnecessary addition that serves no purpose on any of my bikes. As someone who seems to have eliminated parts you feel are unnecessary on your bikes, I’m sure you understand where I’m coming from.

It’s curious that you continue to stay involved in a forum that is populated with people that you have so much dislike for.

smd4

However, not one mountain or road bike sold in the last sixty+ years has had the smaller chain ring installed on the outside.

Eric F 

Those groups probably exist, if you look hard enough. I'm not about to do the looking, however. Some things you can't un-see.

Eric F 

IMO, people are making way to big a deal out of this. It's simply being used as a bolt spacer, not as an active part of the drivetrain. That said, I expect beng is thrilled that it is rubbing so many people the wrong way.

tomato coupe

That seems to be his prime directive.

smd4

Whatever the reason, it still looks ridiculous.

BlazingPedals

This thread is great entertainment.

Eric F 

Where have you gotten any impression that appearance is any kind of concern for beng? That said, I agree with you, but I understand his reasoning, from a purely practical standpoint. His beloved chainring guard would have been a better choice, for both appearance and function.

smd4

Damn good point.

livedarklions

Gotta say, as long as the small chain ring isn't literally rubbing beng1 the wrong way, I don't see the problem using it as a spacer.

genejockey 

Very much so.

Eric F 

As odd-ball as it looks, the practical application makes sense. Personally, I don't see it as more dangerous than a conventional 2x or 3x setup. Any time you're not in the big chainring, you have fully-exposed chainring teeth next to your leg in the same position as on beng's mystery machine.

BillyD

. . . and yet you can't seem to keep yourselves from posting in his threads.

The best way to stop a troll is to not feed the troll, let his threads wither on the vine from abandonment. Yet in all my years moderating here I have yet to see that principle put into practice.

BillyD

That's going a little too far, there.

Eric F 

How else am I going to waste my time at work?

indyfabz

And me at home?

genejockey 

This is the internet. Are you new here?

beng1

Right, Someone needs to mass-produce and market a line of cheap guards to fit popular crank-sets. They would have to be sold with extra long chain-ring bolts to hold them in place.

beng1

I have not eliminated parts from any of my bikes at all, what are you talking about ??? My single-speed was given to me as a frame and fork and headset only, so I actually added parts to it. What is it missing ??? Weird.

And I ride in a part of the world where it gets down to zero degrees, although I won't go riding if it is below 20 degrees, and prefer it to be at least around freezing or above. Riding outside in freezing weather demands pants. That is really odd that you would not be aware that people ride bicycles in weather that demands such clothing.

BillyD

You have to realize that most of these guys you’re mingling with have adopted the riding standards of professional racing cyclists. As such they wear cycling apparel that, among other features, does not flap in the wind and create speed-robbing drag. So they wear tights, not pants that might also get caught in the chainrings.

But don’t let them criticize your riding habits, there are millions of other cyclists like you who don’t adhere to the racing standards which are not essential to cycling enjoyment. These guys (many, not all) just think everybody who enters here should be just like them.

wolfchild

This is the number one reason why we have so many debates. arguments and hostility here on general forum. A handful of individuals who imitate the pros and pretend to be pros have dominated this forum and any person who doesn't dress like them and ride like them has no right to post here and doesn't deserve to be called a cyclist.

Eric F 

My mistake. I made the assumption that your singlespeed was, at one time, a multi-geared bicycle. Handlebar tape seems to be an item that you don't feel is necessary.

Although it doesn't get to those kinds of temperatures in my area, I'm fully aware that there are people who do ride when it gets very cold. I'm also aware that there are many cyclists who don't wear clothing that is a risk for flapping around in such a way that it risks getting dirty from chain oil, even when the temperatures require full body coverage. I'm one of those cyclists. I'm not telling you how you need to be, or what you need to wear, only that a chainring guard is a completely unnecessary item for any of my bicycles because I don't have the same clothing issues you do.

Eric F 

When did that happen? Do you have any specific examples?