Bicycle Mechanics - Crank bash guard. Does it do anything ro just take it off?

I got a replacement crank for a low-end hybrid "comfort" bike that had a bash guard on it. It was a hard plastic affair that doesn't seem to have much function. I can see it might keep pant legs off the chain and maybe decrease the greasy cuffs.

Any opinions.

You are correct about the circular chain guards not functioning very well. A couple of my bikes don't have any such guard and one does. I still need something to keep my pant cuff away from the mechanism to prevent chain lube stains. The worst case would be getting the cuff caught up in the chain/chainwheel while pedaling. Generally, loose clothing isn't a good idea around moving machinery. A rubber band works fine to control the pant cuff, and commercial clips are also available.

it does a half decent job of keeping your pants out of the chain.

On hybrids the function is 99% to keep pants out of the big ring and chain. On a trail bike it's 99% to save the ring teeth from log and rocks. Since you got a comfort hybrid crankset the guard is a pants guard and is likely weak enough that if it hit a curb very hard at all that it would shatter.


Rubber bands? Leg clips? For the frequent times I run a short errand while wearing jeans I just tuck the cuff of the pants into my sock. It's always there and won't get lost. Mind you when I get to the store if I forget to lift the leg out of the sock then I wander around looking like a geek.... :D

I got a replacement crank for a low-end hybrid "comfort" bike that had a bash guard on it. It was a hard plastic affair that doesn't seem to have much function. I can see it might keep pant legs off the chain and maybe decrease the greasy cuffs.

Any opinions.

It's only for keeping your pant off the chainring, it's not a bash guard.

It's only for keeping your pant off the chainring, it's not a bash guard. :thumb:

Bashguards.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4234964362_d485a44866.jpg