MRP Responds To SRAM XX1 With Three New Chainguides - Eurobike 2012
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 Riders
The 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.
56 Comments
@ adam: Got one myself, best chaainguide ever
Because mine broke just where the bashguard stops sitting over the aluminum, and now that won't even be fixed over the aluminum.
So it still can break at that point, maybe even faster cause it's with a hinge... In that case the hard plastic pulleywheel cover (which was another weak point on the SL) in one piece, doesn't change anything.
i recommend the G3 chainguide it is realy nice and very solid ! also the slider is a nice feature
and huge thanks to the guy from MRP who take time to answer all the questions (thumbs up)
I bet you'd be way more bummed on the price jumps for apparel. Sew a few pieces together and add velcro or weave magic fiber together and engineer it to not fail and then glue it up and ship it out.
Im on to my second taco/roller in 6 months after both failed and cracked at the bolt. The thread strips on the included hardware making it extremely difficult to do up with any tension at all, also, its hard to "swing" closed with ANY trail debris in the gap near the roller end, the holes will simply not line up. Idea is great, but in practice, you have failed pretty bad MRP. Stop trying to make it too cute and too light, just make it work!! I will hapily take a 100 gram hit for something that WILL LAST FOR YEARS. Now, go make it.
it can be yours for $1G+
The plastic parts ranged in price from 20-35 dollars each. Plus $2800.00 dollars for each mold and $2500.00 for engineering and programming for each peice. Then the distributor and the shop need to make a few bucks as well. They aren't making as much as you all think. Granted these are prices from American companies not from Asia, but MRP makes their products in Colorado less than 2 hours drive from where I live.
What you are talking about is the cost of a prototype design worked to conclusion as a 1-off full custom. Obviously since MRP has been in the game of guides for 20 years (or whatever, seems like 20 yrs), prototyping and 1-off are not as expensive for them as they would be for a full-custom at a machine shop that doesn't ever make chainguides.
When trying to sound authoritative on the Internet, it helps to be fair-minded and even-handed, and not act as the fluffer for your bros.
My Quote for the plastic parts is for a production run of 1000 units. At 20 - 30 dollars per part to produce. MRP does this in house so that cost would be less be maybe as much as half. The machined parts cost is based on the same quantity.
I designed a guide and looked into having is made and quickly found there isn't much room for profit. Unless I had it produced overseas. Which I dodn't want to do.
My prototype top guide with a clamp mount weighs just over 35grams. Direct mount guides were as light as 10grams. I made these for my Trail/ Enduro bikes and one for a friends BMC hardtail.
PB looks more each day like an outside contractor marketing vector for the mfrs whose products it reports on and reviews. Especially with Noah Sears here shilling for MRP.
NOTE: I'm not commenting on the quality of the MRP guides. Everyone I know who has used an MRP guide liked it a lot and found it very durable.