Hey i just wanted to hear from you anyone if they got any little/cheap upgrades for their bike that made a difference? I was looking into getting a RaceFace bashring for my 2005 specialized hardrock pro disk until i found this https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Bashring.aspx is it true that it eliminates the biggest front chainring?? and if i were to get one what configuration would i go with because i use the largest chainring a good amount of the time since I use my bike for minor errands around town.

Another little thing i was looking at was getting a Shimano Deore LX rear deraileur, and from what ive read its the best bang for the buck deraileur. What other little upgrades did many of you do that were on a budget that either reduced weight or improved performance?? and also it would be nice if you could name the place where you bought them from if it was from an online dealer. thanks again

Hi!

I own a Specialized Hardrock Sport with some upgrades, namely a Race Face bashguard. Yes, it's true, you have to ditch the biggest ring up front. As for the LX RD, if you have the money, I'd go for it. As for what other upgrades I've done, check my signature.

I am fairly sure that Blackspire offer a bashring that allows you to keep the big ring. I'll see if i can dig up a link

Edit: https://www.blackspire.com/prod_cguard.html There is the XC guard in the bottom left corner

Hey there,

I'm actually thinking of getting a bashguard for my stumpie to protect my big ring upfront. When you say "ditch the biggest ring upfront" do you mean remove it or you just can't use it anymore? I'm assuming you mean you just can't get into it right? Also, is there a reason to use a bashguard to protect a big ring you can't even use once it's on?

I'll check out the Blackspire - sounds like a good suggestion - thanks!

Hi. Well, think of it this way: The average bashguard is put in place of the big ring (you remove crankarms, remove big ring, you put on bashring and put the crank arm back, making your bike a 2 ring setup up front). Blackspire makes a special bashguard which protects ALL 3 RINGS, there is no need to take off the big ring even, it simply goes on the outside of it all.

Changing tires can be one of the bestest/cheapest upgrades.

One thing I like about using a bashring is the size difference. If you use one that replaces the big chainring the bashring is only slightly larger than the middle chanring, so clearance is a bit higher than before. So I have not been hitting things as often or as hard (most of the time) since I put it on.

Thanks there DC (gotaa love the name)! I'm glad I asked before just buying one. I'd like to keep my big ring, so I'll look for the Blackspire.

Hehe, welcome and thanks for the compliment.

I'll be in this boat soon too, I'm afraid. We have a paved trail connector that connects two pieces of single track, and I tried to use my big ring on it the other day, and it made a horrifying sound. Upon inspection I found that two teeth on my big ring had been bent over by something I bashed them on during the previous ride.

I've never had this happen before. Perhaps Race Face chainrings are weaker than Shimanos? Either way, I'll have to decide whether to ditch the big ring and get a bashguard, or keep it and lose clearance.

I bought and installed this bashguard from Mountain Equipment Co-op that protects all 3 rings.


It's more than a simple bolt on, there are tiny things that have to be done to accommodate:
1 - I needed to get longer bolt to accommodate the bashguard and the existing chain rings.
2 - I needed to put spacers (washers) between my largest ring and the bashguard. The fit was not flush because of how the largest ring has various indendations and it caused flex when I tightened the bolts. Two little washers on each bolt solved that problem. The spacers also give enough room for the front derailleur cage to move far enough.
3 - My front derailleur had to be raised in order to clear the the bashguard. when moving you also have to make sure that the alignment is correct. It took trial and error to get it just right so I had no problems shifting down and up the 3 rings.

how much bigger does that bigring guard make the rings?