General Cycling Discussion - Chain Guards for all bikes?

Can you put a chain guard on any bike or does it have to have something pre-existing?
What about the full chain guards (like on a 3 speed)?
Also what about the ring that is on the chain rings themselves the blocks the chain a bit?

Retro-fitting a chain guard usually requires modifying it in some way. I wouldn't do it except at time and materials charge or if I wanted to undertake an interesting challenge.

no i dont necessarily want to retrofit a guard. I have a road bike and i dont see any attachment points for it. So Can i put on a chain guard and am i limited in what type of guard i can put on?

no i dont necessarily want to retrofit a guard. I have a road bike and i dont see any attachment points for it. So Can i put on a chain guard and am i limited in what type of guard i can put on?

Very limited choice as in you may need to make something yourself I suspect. Chain guards and cases do not normally provide any provisions for a front or rear derailleur. They are typically designed for use on single speed or IGH geared bikes with a fixed chainline. Even the ring type of guard, if large enough to do much good, will normally interfere with the operation of the front derailleur.

The one possibility I am aware of is the SKS Chainboard imported by Velo Orange. Here is the link to it.

http://www.velo-orange.com/skschainboard.html

I hope that this is some help. I have no personal experience with the Chainboard but noted it when visiting the Velo Orange web site. The only derailleur bike chain guard I am aware of.

Here is another chain guard from Soma that says it works with a front derailleur.

http://store.somafab.com/ogkchainguards.html

what if it was a single speed, would it work regardless? or do i need some special wholes?

If it was a single speed and it could fit a chain guard which covers just the top of the chain would a 3-speed style chain guard which covers anything work as well?

what if it was a single speed, would it work regardless? or do i need some special wholes?

If it was a single speed and it could fit a chain guard which covers just the top of the chain would a 3-speed style chain guard which covers anything work as well?

Depends on the guard. Some include mounting hardware while others do not. The same chain guard should work for a single speed or 3 speed IGH bike as both have a single plane unchanging chain line.

Difficulty in fitting can vary with the bike frame too. Some mounting hardware may not fit oversized tubing aluminum frames for instance.

Again need for mounting holes would vary with chainguard design. Most aftermarket ones are so called "universal fit" but read the description carefully. Here is a guard for single speed or IGH bikes that should fit most bikes with steel frames.

http://www.velo-orange.com/sunchaiguard.html

There are a variety of aftermarket chain guards out there. Many mount using some type of tube clamp. The OEM (Orignal Equipment Manufacture) quite often are mounted using a welded or brazed on bracket. Getting one to clear the derailleurs and chain as it moves across the cogs and rings. I have one derailleur bike that has a chain guard, that guard was mounted on tabs welded on the frame. The guard itself was plastic and has since broken and will be replaced by an aluminum one when I get around to making it.

Aaron:)

what if it was a single speed, would it work regardless? or do i need some special wholes?

If it was a single speed and it could fit a chain guard which covers just the top of the chain would a 3-speed style chain guard which covers anything work as well?

I'm not sure what the point would be. Chain guards are not foolproof. From my experience when I was younger riding bikes with chain guards, every now and then something would catch. A better solution is a clip or a velcro and elastic band that holds your pants to your leg.