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Why yes, it is a plastic bashguard |
Words by Stuart Kernaghan
For some reason, I wasn't really thrilled with the idea of running a chainguide when I first got ahold of the Evil Single Ring Security (SRS) back at the end of 2002. It seemed like it was going to be more effort than it was worth to take everything apart, install the guide, and set it up. Besides, what's the big deal about dropping your chain every now and then? Or so I told myself.
I was also worried about losing my granny gear - this was, after all, Single Ring Security. I suffer enough as it is on climbs even with a granny, and the thought of riding up Fromme in my middle ring struck terror into my heart. Well, maybe not terror, but I sure as hell wasn't looking forward to it. That was until I realized that the SRS wasn't like all the other chainguides on the trail.
Evil and its subsidiary e.thirteen components, which now makes the guides for Evil, uses a clear plastic Makrolon® bashguard rather than a metal one. The 14mm thick bashguard is at least as strong (and probably stronger) than its metal counterparts - it won't bend and require trailside repairs after taking a big hit. That's a definite bonus if you've ever spent time waiting for a buddy to pry their metal chainguide back into some semblance of working order. Most of the other SRS parts are plastic as well, so it's is also lighter than metal guides.
Installation and set-up
This particular SRS - the East Coast model, which is large enough to protect a 42T chainring - was going onto a steel hardtail with a 122.5mm square-taper XT bottom bracket, an eight-speed cassette, and a five-bolt Race Face LP compact crankset.
The installation process wasn't particularly difficult, but instructions for the 2002 guides were hard to follow, and a lack of good pictures to illustrate the process made things a little difficult. After about an hour of grumbling and considerable re-reading, I managed to get everything together and set up correctly. Chain tension was good without being excessive, and there was very little rubbing in spite of the long BB. |
Hardtail Evil. And no, it's not night - it's March on the Shore. Photo: Scott Johnson |
The giant plastic bashguard
 Plenty of room under the swingarm for the boomerang Photo: Stuart Kernaghan |
The only issue I had with the guide during the testing period was that the boomerang came loose, which meant that there wasn't any tension on the chain. The problem? The bottom bracket was too loose. I pulled the crank off, tightened the fixed (flanged) side, and everything worked perfectly from then on. After running the SRS on my hardtail for a couple of weeks, I picked up a Bullit with a nine-speed drivetrain and threw the guide on it. In the meantime, e.thirteen components made some changes to the SRS for the 2003 model year that were designed to make set-up and installation easier. |
In addition to longer chainring bolts and a vastly improved instruction sheet, e.thirteen sent a new outer slider with an alignment tab that helps you determine the right number of spacers to install under the mounting plate. You'll still have to pull off the crank and add or remove washers - which can get a little tedious - but at least this way you'll know whether or not the guide is set up correctly. One tip - make sure you tighten the bolts on the top slider while you're setting up the washers. It may be impossible to reach them once the guide's on.
But how does it work, you ask?
I did find that the guide was a little noisier on the full suspension than it was on my hardtail, even with a narrower 118mm bottom bracket. That may be because I'm running more washers under the mounting bracket. Regardless, it's not a big deal and it's not something you notice while you're actually riding at speed.
More importantly, I haven't dropped a chain once since I started using the SRS. I've ridden all over the Shore in the usual winter muck, on a hardtail and on a full suspension bike, up the hill, down the hill, shuttling, doing drops, falling, crashing, and yes, even riding the mighty A-Line, and my chain has yet to come off. In spite of my initial apprehension, I am now a firm believer in the benefits of running a chainguide, and in retrospect I can see how much of a pain it was to stop and put my chain back on. The SRS gives me the confidence that I'll be able to start pedalling without any problems - wherever, whenever, and whatever might have just happened to my bike and my body.
Final thoughts
The biggest thing to keep in mind when you're thinking about a chainguide is the type of riding you do. If you're going to be shuttling or riding Whistler all summer long, I have no hesitation at all about recommending the SRS. If you're looking for a single-ring guide with more clearance, check out e.thirteen's Street/Trail Security guide, which lets you run a 36T or smaller ring. The Double Ring Security chainguide combines the benefits of a middle and granny ring with a chainguide, and is a great option if you spend a lot of time climbing. We'll be testing the DRS over the summer, so stay tuned for the review.
Evil is concentrating on bike production these days and is leaving the components to e.thirteen, so you can't buy Evil chainguides any longer. That's not a problem, though, because the e.thirteen guides are exactly the same as the old Evil guides other than the labelling. Word on the street also has it that there might be more to come from e.thirteen in the near future. You're going to be seeing a lot more e.thirteen chainguides on the trails over the next while, and deservedly so. The SRS and its plastic brethren are overbuilt so they can stand up to the Shore, they works extremely well, they're different, and they've got supermodel good looks.
A couple of other features to note about the SRS: the inner mounting plate adjusts outward away from the BB shell, which means you shouldn't have any problem with tire clearance; the guide is adjustable from the outside of the frame; you only need a hex wrench to adjust the captive-fastener bolts; the lower jockey wheel uses a sealed bearing; and the guides are ISCG and A-standard compatible, and come with an ISCG mount adapter.
The new e.thirteen SRS is available for CDN$239.95 (about US$150) in three different size bashguards and three different bolt patterns, so it will fit just about any crankset or frame out there. You've got a choice of the Mountain-X (30T-40T) in 4 x 104, 5 x 110 or 5 x 94; East Coast (30T-42T) in 4 x 104, 5 x 110 or 5 x 94; or 44 Special (30T-44T) in 4 x 104, 5 x 110 or 5 x 94.
To find an e.thirteen dealer, check out Yodo Bike's Dealer Listings.
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