Chainguides

M:Part Single Ring XC Chainguide Review

This is a really neat and easy to fit chainguide from M:Part that replaces your front mech if you’re switching to a single ring setup. It’s light, easy to fit to any bike that doesn’t have ISCG tabs, and importantly does a good job of stopping the chain derailing.

If you want to ditch your triple or double chainset and join the single ring revolution, a chain device is a really simple way of ensuring your chain stays in place. They’re not completely invulnerable, they don’t offer the same level of chain retention as a full device, but they are light and easy to fit to most bikes. They’re also much quieter as there’s no roller.

The M:Part guide looks pretty similar to some other guides on the market. It was easy to fit to the bike, the guide can be split so you don’t have to break the chain, and the height of the guide is easily adjusted to get the chainline perfect.

It’s not the quietest guide though. Riding in the smallest or largest sprocket on the cassette causes quite an audible noise and, try as I could, I couldn’t get the guide positioned such that it would run quietly. In the middle of the cassette everything is fine and quiet though.

Chain retention is good. Combined with a clutch-style rear mech I didn’t experience any dropped chains. It’s a reasonably simple and affordable way to go 1×10 or 1×9 if you don’t feel you need a double or triple chainset, but maybe serves as a stopgap until wide-narrow chainrings become more prevalent. Even if you’re running such a chainring, a chain device like this is still a good measure, especially if you’re racing.

The guide is made with a CNC-machined aluminum backplate and a plastic upper guide. It’s compatible with chainrings sized between 32 and 42t. It’s light on the scales, just 77g.