Was just about to get a KOM on slightly declined bit of farm track the other day when the chain came off on my well-used 1×9 26″ rigid mtb commuter. Don’t want to use the old front mech I took off, don’t want to spend more than £15 if I can help it, don’t want to bodge something with a bit of old plastic pipe (unless it’s the best option).

Anything recommended?

Superstar do a frame mount upper guide and BB mount upper guide. CRC do an ISCG full guide, evans do a cheap frame mount chain guide, all are less than £20.

Can’t see anything on Evans – and no ISG mount. Superstar XCR Chain Keeper looks about right though. Thanks.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RSP-MINO-1-Top-Guide-Chain-Chainguide-Single-Ring-Band-MTB-Bike/112962108976

Over budget though…

There are a couple BB mounted double’s going now for non ISCG fames… (only slightly a bodge to go to 1x*) and they are £15 as I remember.

*I’m hoping as just purchased one!

getting closer…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RSP-Mino-1-X-Top-Chain-Guide-Band-On-31-8-34-9mm-Black/362264603925

Cheapest one I can see

https://www.evanscycles.com/hoy-pinnacle-chain-device-EV199200?lsft=esvt:55222-GOUKE2379916,esvq:,esvadt:999999-0-1222088-1,esvcrea:189702013088,esvplace:,esvd:c,esvtg:pla-307346456549,esvo:EV199200-NA-NA,esvaid:50080&esvt=55222-GOUKE2379916&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-1222088-1&esvcrea=189702013088&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvtg=pla-307346456549&esvo=EV199200-NA-NA&esvaid=50080&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0Nzw5pLi2gIV65XtCh1p6wQeEAQYAiABEgIhW_D_BwE

Not sure how secure it would be (but I am partial to DH style guides personally)

What mount?

I got this, it’s ace:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/funn-zippa-lite-e-type-chain-guide/rp-prod156068

I’ve got three helpers on mine: a Clarks narrow-wide ring (~£15), an N-Gage Jump Stop (~£11), and a bashring (~£10). That RSP one linked above looks a decent choice, too, if you’re not going to get the drivetrain caked in turf.

Someone Correct me if I’m wrong but modifying this for 1x shouldn’t be too much of a botch ???

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/e-thirteen-trs-dmb-dual-ring-chain-guide/rp-prod82800

Should have said no ISG mount on bike.

Thanks bigyan (I hadn’t looked outside of “Chain Devices & Bash Rings”) – that looks to be exactly the same as the Superstar XCR chain keeper but £4 cheaper.

Cheap thick thin ring and 10 speed chain, job done ….may be a bit more than 15 I spose

Has it got a narrow/wide? If not, do that first, it’s way more effective than a top-only chainguide.

I’ve got one of these, it’s been flaweless and does 2x and 1x.

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.RSP-Chain-Director-Chain-Guide_76633.htm

£13.75

I went narrow wide on my 1×9 and used to drop the chain when the rear took square edge hits on rocks etc. Not dropped a chain since fitting one of the Superstar top guides, and it does look exactly like that (cheaper) Hoy one.

Yeah got the narrow-wide. Still long cage rear mech though, perhaps could remove a link or two from chain, it sometimes comes off down a not quite pot-holed but lumpy-bumpy road if I’m feeling particularly energetic or rushed on my morning commute.

N-Gear Jump Stop.  £10.

http://www.billys.co.uk/english/group.php?prod=chng-js

Had one for several years before narrow-wide came along and it worked flawlessly. You can also add a bash ring for extra confidence.

Have NW and 9 speed on one of the boys bikes, they bash that around and it’s never dropped – I’d check the chain length first, free to drop a link or two.

The NW should <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>probably</span> be enough on a 9sp … perhaps its the long cage adding to the leverage and a few links???

I rode my 10sp HT lots with the clutch-off* and not a (frequent) problem with long cage and clutch off NW… but with the long cage and no clutch and 40T expander it started to be a problem.

*Actually the clutch wore out… on another bike and this got relegated but …

I salvaged the med cage from another mech.. and stuck this on… and for other reasons around that hub and the expander and not needing it its running a 36T now and from memory hasn’t dropped a chain… and it gets ridden down some steps and a few drop offs… If it was I’d have got round to transferring the clutch from the donor rear mech!