Ok, so I'm starting to race some XC and still love to ride just about any trail. I'm not much for DH, but I've still done a little damage to my large chain ring. So far it's been nothing major, a few slightly bent teeth and a little warped, but still very useable. I would like to protect my big chainring, but I've also got a triple and would like to keep it. I've heard that there are gaurds that work with triples, but I was wondering if anyone used them and could give me a little info on them. Are there any problems with them like strength or interference? Any suggestions for which one to get? or perhaps make my own (hey, it's just a solid disc, can't be that hard, right?) On the other hand, is there a chainring that's tough enough to where, as a XC rider, I wouldn't need to worry about the bash gaurd? I mean, the damage has come from just clipping a log or two, not like I landed it flat on a rock, so maybe there's a little beefier 'ring out there that could take it better. Just so you know, the crankset on there now is mid 90's no name, served me well so far, just taken a beating. Thanks for any help.

Personally I don’t see the point in them. I have always had one pedal or the other run interference for my ring in the instances when I can’t clear an obstacle. Having a short cage derailer with a tight spring and being in the right gear eliminates the need for a tensioner even on the gnarliest landings. Maybe some one can explain why you need all this extra stuff.

I replaced my XC crankset with DH one, never really used the third ring, kept bangin it, and the DH is smaller so i can clear taller obsacles.

i haven't used any bash guards for triples, but i know that truvative makes one that's optional for their fiveD crankset. blackspire also makes a xc bash guard that protects your big ring. here's the link to it clicky, clicky.

I have a Tooth Fairy aluminum bashguard that still lets me run all 3 rings. It works pretty well, but I had to put a few small spacers in, otherwise it rubs the mech when on the large chainring. I'd recommend it for agressive XC or freeride applications.

How much was it and how much does it weigh?? I"m worried about baning up my chainrings as well....

From a google search it looks like the Tooth Fairy line got bought out by Salsa...and I can't find anything similar. I got mine a while back from a local bike shop, I think around $30 if I remember right.

Here's a 3-ring bashguard: https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...29&category=58

Do some searches for "xc bashguard" and you'll probably find something you like.