that is a bash guard thier was a boss back thier that i had drilled and tapped 2 holes for it thier is some pretty good scuff marks on the guard from the last time i crashed, the ground was frozen and under the frost was mud and i was cruzin on a side hill where the trail was washed out and i slid off the trail and down the side of the hill in the snow for 20 feet if that guard was not thier the xt rd would have been in the dirt the hole time it just barely kept it off the ground, i have had the bike forever its indestructible i just cant break the thing and i am not very nice to it iv beat the crap out of it it just keeps goin got a million miles on it iv wore every bearing out of it at least twice, then i got a trek fuel 100 and i like riding the pacific way more it just seemed way more comfortable to ride dont know why i would leave the trek parked and ride the pacific and it was gettin hard to pedal all the bearings were going bad again, didnt like the 8 spd that was on it and always wanted to gear it down a bit with a 9 spd and always wanted to upgrade the old shocks and disc breaks, so i rebuilt the thing got all the parts off ebay, ever since i got it rebuilt i have not rode the trek since for some reason i just like they way it rides its fast to i can pass the cars down main street with no problem, and it sure climbs good with the 22 to 34 almost geared to low, i dont think i will ever get rid of it havent found a bike yet that i like better, im itching to get a trek remedy 9 does anyone want a trek fuel 100 i need some money for the remedy 9 lol maybe ill have to sell a car that i dont drive either to get enough$$ i have a 1999 ford taurus sho 32 valve v8 anyone want it