why not run an LG-1 with Taco though?

I'm on minimum wage dude. I need to replace the parts that offer the best gram to £ ratio first.

That and of course, I'm anti Taco bash. The things are a danger to your frame, I'm just going to tune a SRS+ to work properly with SLX's. Or hope e*thirteen makes a new, revised bash for Shimano Saint and SLX cranks.

ah, whats wrong with Taco's and frames though?

What's up with SRS+ and Saint cranks?

Odin: I just don't like the idea of it, I've seen too many bent ISCG tabs from Taco guards for my liking and I don't think of the guide as highly as a bashguard style guide.

Jammyboy: e*thirteen made the bashguard featured on the new SRS+ tapered in both directions. And Shimano's new Saint and SLX cranks featured new thicker chainring mounting tabs so that they could take more abuse. Anyway, the thicker tabs pushes the bashguard further away, and the taper means the bash has enough room for the chain to fall off between it. Making the chainguide not do it's job.

My STP guide has never dropped a chain, it's taken many, many hits and it's still strong. I've even tuned the backplate and bits down to 60 something grams and it's still just as good as when I first got it.

I was stumped at first, and with a G-Ring you are correct, but I found that an old Middleburn I had when run backwards made the chainring closer to the bash, and therefore do it's job. It did take me a couple of days to get it right though

Pity is, I will be swapping my TurboCharger out for a SuperCharger, as e*13 have basically made the new ring a disposable part

I'm not running a middleburn ring! They're more than 20g heavier than a G-ring. lol.

I wouldn't give up on your Turbocharger just yet. Grab the pliers and reform it. That's what I'll be doing if/when mine gets dented.

Haha! I weighed this one and it was 87, so quite a bit extra I admit, but I am sure there are others out there which would be compatable, this is just one I had lying about.

I am a bit pissed though, I will try that, but it is basically disposable, and for the price you pay it really shouldn't be

Fair enough if it dented after a big hit or case, but no, I hardly noticed it, something that you shouldn't have to think about.

Soon... The frame isn't released yet (will be sometime in august) and wheels will come after the frame. I want to be on a full suss as soon as possible.

2010 Giant Reign X

yummy i still love my reign frame

I love the Reign series, they feel amazing. But being a weenie I'm waiting for the new one so I save 2 pounds on the frame weight.

Sweet, how much are they goin to retail at ?

No idea just yet. Expect about a 10% increase in price, though.

yeah, i was speaking to my local giant dealer today and he was saying that the new 2010 range of giants were going to be alot more expensive compared to the 09 range

Well, I hit it twice today. So It's quite necessary. I have considered taking it off but I don't think it'd end good.

It's more than likely that I'll just run an e*thirteen SRS+ backplate (tuned if possible) and I'll use a Gamut bashguard if the e*thirteen either breaks or doesn't keep the chain on.

I'm impressed by Gamut how they've got lighter than e*thirteen with their new chainrings. Even if it is only 1 gram lighter for my chainring size.

They didn't get a great view from the guys at MBUK. But with their reputation I wouldn't rule out it being their fault for improper installation. The P30 (last years) that was reviewed supposedly dropped the chain quite regularly.

My e*thirteen bash has been through a hell of a lot of hits. It's got nothing but a few dents and scrapes.

I don't tend to worry about how long a chainring lasts. It's how they wear the chain that effects me. Chainrings should be changed on every second change of your chain & cassette. Sometimes earlier if you overdo the chainwear and go well past 1.0 on a chain wear gauge.

I'm concerned on how fast it wears the chain because the cost of a chain and cassette is rather high. I don't like the idea of saving a few grammes if it halves my chain life and thus costs me nearly twice as much.

Yes, new wheels are in the works. Crossmax SX are the winners so far. And I'm just waiting on the frame to be released at the moment.

Ugh, Crossmax SX aren't exactly cheap for a trade price wheel ether. I could get an I9 set for about the same price and even the new Crankbrothers wheels. But the 721 is a solid rim and I trust it more than the others. So Crossmax wheels will do.

August is the release date. No exact point but I'm sure I'll check the Giant website everyday and keep my eyes peeled. The old Reign X is slightly overweight, but not obscenely. It's still about a 9 pound frame that can take more of a beating than some of the weight weenie downhill bikes (I.E Session 88, Liteville 901 etc.). Yet the Reign X is capable of riding back up and taking you to the tracks too.

Although, if the travel is too much, then I can see your point. Realistically most of the UK only really needs a 7 inch downhill bike. And when you're simply a weekend warrior a burly AM/FR bike is much more sensible.