First off, good to be back. I was an adamant lurker many moons ago, but took a hiatus from here as I just accepted the Tank ('08 Rincon) was just going to be my only option for a while. And other things took up my time...

ANYWAY, I got a new (to me) Trek Stache 8 1x10 and the thing just throws the chain off constantly (to the inside of the chainring, not towards the pedal). I've ridden it probably 10 miles total and threw the chain probably 6 times. I work with a guy who races and he has some sort of Wolf Tooth chainring which resists dropping chains (Wolf Tooth Drop Stop Narrow/Wide Chainring 104 BCD Black | Wolf Tooth). First off, how does that even work? I mean, I understand that thickness alternates with each tooth, but how does that help keep a chain on, and how effective is it?

Second, what are everyone's opinions on chainguides? A certain style/brand/model preferred? I've never thought about it before, but apparently all the bumpiness causes the chain to just sling itself off from the top, completing its removal from the chainring as you pedal, is that correct? I notice there are guides for the bottom, but they seem to be in addition to protection on the top. I assume a chain which is too long could also cause this. What is the rule of thumb for determining if your chain is the right length?

It's a hard tail, ridden fairly hard (but not carelessly), on very rocky singletrack. SRAM X.9 RD, RaceFace 32T front chainring, bash guard.

So, what do you think? Thanks for the input.