SRAM's announcement that its new XX1 one-by-eleven drivetrain needs no chainguide reverberated through the industry. A bold statement, perhaps, but early test rides on the single-chainring transmission seem to validate that claim. To MRP, one of the world's premier chainguide makers, that news must have been unsettling. Single-ring drivetrains are their core business. MRP's response, however, was quite positive. They developed the AMG - with a simple upper guide that positively ensures the chain will feed onto the drive sprocket and with a sturdy bash guard below to protect your investment from bottom-outs and rock-hits. The MRP Micro is a full-function chainguide designed to work with the smaller chainrings made possible by SRAM's ten-tooth cassette cog. The Micro can handle sprockets between 28 and 32 teeth.
Two for the Trail
MRP's AMG chainguide adds the security of a top guide to a single-ring AM/Trail setup and the protection of a real bash guard. The advantages are light weight and a very silent running guide system. MSRP is $99.95 usd.
With 29er and Enduro riders joining up with traditional DH and XC single-ring devotees, the market for chainguides is not going away, but rider demographics are shifting more towards AM and trail riding - a trend which suggests lighter weight, and simpler guides will be the go-tos for most new riders. The Micro and AMG are definitely targeted at those folks, but MRP also cranked out a new guide for the Big Bike set as well.
The Micro chainguide is the ticket for riders who run small chainrings. The compact system looks proportional when paired with smaller sprockets. MRP's Micro should prove popular with 29er riders as the larger wheels require smaller chairings to achieve similar gearing as a 26-inch wheel model. Expect to pay around $150.
MRP's Micro bash is removable should you want to clean up the bike's look or drop some grams.
And One for Gravity RidersThe G3 Chainguide has two features, long in coming for chainguide users, The traditional boomerang has been scrapped in favor of a lower profile flange arrangement and the bash guard has been integrated into the lower roller guide. The integrated lower piece hinges on the mounting flange so that the chain need not be broken to thread it around the chainring and through the guide assembly. The upper guide splits and unhinges to facilitate this acton up top. MRP calls the feature "Swingset" and it simplifies the guide's assembly process and makes it possible retrofit the guide to an existing drivetrain without breaking the chain. Another addition is a soft plastic bushing at the tail end of the top guide that quiets the chain.
MRP G3 chainguide with its Swingset integrated bash guard will replace the G2 SL guide. Its compact backing plate is slightly lighter weight and, like all MRP guides, the adjustable mounting hardware is fixed to the guide plate so the bits won't jump off and run away when you are adjusting or assembling the mech. The G3 retails for $150 usd.
Loosen all four mounting screws and then remove two to swing the MRP G3 chainguide elements open. The chain can then be easily threaded around the front sprocket without breaking a link.
MRP G3 is shipped with a slippery plastic insert that replaces the roller guide pulley. The "G-Slide' plastic guide is intended to keep the chain running smoothly when the terrain is muddy and sticky.
