Tech Tuesday - MRP G2 SL Chain Guide Install

Mar 1, 2011

by Mike Levy

Today's Tech Tuesday shows you how to install MRP's G2 SL chain guide. Watch the video inside to see how it's done.

If you've never installed a chain guide before you'll want to download and carefully read the instructions provided by MRP, and watch the how-to video below before picking up a single tool. Familiarizing yourself with the steps prior to starting will make the job much easier once you begin. While the process is simple enough, it is very important to install the guide correctly. Not doing so can result in your chain coming off or jamming at the worst possible time. It's one thing to lose a chain during your race run, but it's a whole different ball of wax if your chain jams while pedaling your ass off towards a jump. As with any repair that we show you here on Tech Tuesday, don't even start if you don't have the correct tools or the confidence to do the job correctly. That is what your local bike shop is for.

Some pointers before you begin...

• Be sure that you intend on using the correct size chain ring that works with the guide. MRP produces a number of guides to work with different sizes, but the G2 SL is designed to be used with 36-40 tooth rings.
• The G2 SL is available in BB mount (using the guides specific BB mount backplate), and ISCG or ISCG 05 mounting patterns. How do you know the difference? BB mount refers to a frame that doesn't incorporate chain guide mounting tabs around the bottom bracket shell, meaning that you'll have to use an adapter that is sandwiched between the frame and drive side BB cup in order to install the guide. ISCG and ISCG 05 stand for "International Standard Chain Guide" mounting system, with the new 05 standard being the most common. If you're not sure which one your bike uses you can either look it up on the manufacturer's website or measure the shortest distance between the mounting holes. ISCG will measure at 47.7mm, ISCG-05 at 55.9mm.
• For the guide to work properly it must be positioned correctly over the chain ring. The G2 SL, as well as most other guides, can be adjusted both in and out from the bike's center line by way of thin washers in order to be centered over the ring, as well as clocked correctly by rotating the guide on its slotted mounting holes so that the sliders are in the right position to hold the chain in place. Both adjustments are critical to have the guide function properly.
• While it can sometimes be a time consuming process to dial out any and all drag by changing the thin mounting washers between the frame and boomerang, your guide will function better and last longer if you make the effort to do it correctly. Never space out either the upper or lower sliders.
• The upper and lower slider are held in place with lightweight aluminum bolts. Take care to not over tighten these.
• The MRP G2 SL's upper slider should sit between the 12 o'clock and 12:30 position when adjusted correctly.
• Do not install the guide and head straight out to the trails! Check your shifting on the stand to be sure that it doesn't interfere with anything and then do a few laps around the parking lot before loading the bike up.

What's needed: 2.5mm, 4mm, and 8mm hex keys, crank extractor (if your cranks do not use self extractors), the appropriate bottom bracket cup tool (if uses a ISCG adapter)

Learn how to install your MRP G2 SL:

Tech Tuesday Ep. #3

by brockanderson

Views: 39,120 Faves: 63 Comments: 11

Have you done this job? Want to add a tip or hint of your own? Put it down below!

Posted In:
Stories Tech Tuesday Chainguides MRP

Author Info:

mikelevy
Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

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72 Comments

19 0

chochocho (Mar 1, 2011 at 0:10)

can you do a tech tuesday on a marzocchi 888 fork rebuild? i know its a simple fork to do, and ive done it many times before, but there are times where im not too sure if im doing the process correctly.

10 1

chajcu (Mar 1, 2011 at 0:22)

it makes two of us.

JohnJohnson (Mar 1, 2011 at 4:03)

3!^^

macix (Mar 1, 2011 at 5:51)

nouser (Mar 1, 2011 at 6:34)

i am also really happy to see mike back

10 2

Greenwood102 (Mar 1, 2011 at 7:50)

Orrrr.... for boxxers?

mikelevy Mod (Mar 1, 2011 at 8:41)

I'm sure that we'll get to a Marzocchi fork rebuild at some point soon!

chochocho (Mar 1, 2011 at 17:49)

Horayy!

BadBrass95 (Mar 1, 2011 at 18:04)

maybe a fox 40?

onegoldenbear (Mar 1, 2011 at 19:19)

888!

sousathiago (Mar 1, 2011 at 19:33)

Boxxer Rebuild!

JohnJohnson (Mar 2, 2011 at 11:03)

888r 2004!

stompeinator (Mar 2, 2011 at 11:20)

2009 888 rc3 wc!!!!!!!

nouser (Mar 2, 2011 at 11:46)

nah just do a basic 888 and a basic boxxer video and then bam done

bretttippie (Mar 1, 2011 at 7:07)

Mike Levy is the man! Thanks for this...perfect timing. I just got my girlfriends and my MRP G2 SL's in the mail yesterday! I think they are the best chainguide out there and now I can confidentally put these on our Flatline's properly! Psyched!

stompeinator (Mar 1, 2011 at 8:50)

Wish i had bought a G2. Got an LG1 and had to do some MAJOR modifications to fit my 951. Cutting metal and plastic off of a $100+ chainguide is a little scary hahah

i-eat-dirt (Mar 1, 2011 at 13:27)

is it a newer lg1+?

stompeinator (Mar 1, 2011 at 16:26)

nope, its just the older lg1 on iscg05 mounts. Didn't realize that those didnt really work with 951 frames until it showed up at my house, but i got a crazy good deal on it so i figured id just make it work. Works fine now that i shaved down the upper part of the guide a bit

i-eat-dirt (Mar 1, 2011 at 17:45)

had to do the same thing with an older one. the newer ones don't have the same problem.

jasonleebeer (Mar 1, 2011 at 18:35)

I put the new LG-1 on the girlfriend's 951 and had the same issues. It turns out that a lot of the issues are with the clocking of the ISCG tabs on the bike. Nothing like taking the bench grinder to the old lady's new chainguide. I had to send her shopping so that she did not have to witness the carnage.

freelifenride (Nov 27, 2011 at 12:55)

will this guide fit a 2010 demo 8? be clear of the downtube? my older lg1 dsnt come close, the bash guard is in the way, cheers.

eastforkbikes (Mar 28, 2012 at 23:48)

If you check Intense's Owners manual it will tell you that the bike was designed to be used with MRP guides. The LG1s are too thick to be used on the Intense's as the contact the linkages. Unless you file them down....

nouser (Mar 1, 2011 at 10:02)

i love how when they were doing easy repairs everyone was having a go saying how easy we want harder ones and now a few people are saying do more basics :L people love to be difficult on pinkbike but anyway thanks Mike glad your back

mikelevy Mod (Mar 1, 2011 at 10:06)

No worries, you can't keep everyone happy! Glad to be back.

allenrotstein (Mar 1, 2011 at 5:11)

It would be really nice to see a Fox DHX coild rebuilt video.. I could only find the RP23 video on Youtube. Does anyone have the servicd manuals or video for the DHX coil series?

grifrowl (Mar 1, 2011 at 7:53)

DHX rebuilds require some tools not available to most consumers or bike shops. If it needs a rebuild, send it into Fox, they're pretty fair about pricing.

mikelevy Mod (Mar 1, 2011 at 8:45)

Have a snoop around the forums, you should be able to track down a certain members excellent DHX rebuild instructions.

allenrotstein (Mar 1, 2011 at 12:47)

That's the problem.. Last time I had to send my DHX 5, it took me 2 weeks to get it back and ended up costing me $170 + shipping + tax.. I have a Pro level repair shop at home, so it would be really nice and a money saver to do this at home, just like i service my own Boxxer, Vivid and Fox 40..

jjstx1 (Mar 1, 2011 at 18:35)

you could send it into push industries and have it custom valved and tuned to your riding style weight and customized for your frame linkage,they also replace some parts with their own like the adjustment nobs.

www.pushindustries.com/2009/index.php

kora25 (Jun 10, 2012 at 13:55)

i have a question ? so please help me .... right now i have just one sprocket on front 32 t..... and i also have a square bb shaft.....does i have to buy a new bb like hollowtech or i can have my old becuse i want to put a chain guide on my bike so this is very important to me

Dj-Tramp (Oct 31, 2013 at 20:40)

This is a OLD video but now got into downhill again hope to get a response.
As i'm about to set up the gears should i have the chain guide installed when taking out the links to get the correct chain length?
My thinking on this is that if i set the chain to the correct length etc before mounting the chain device it will come to be too short as the bottom guide pulley will suck the chain up more creating too much tension on the Derailleur.
Hope you get what i'm getting at and i get a response.
Thanks PB rules.

FUSE318 (Mar 1, 2011 at 5:34)

i kinda think that they shouldent focus on parts they should show us how to do basic stuff...instaling headsets,instaling bb's, changing bearings in hubs, etc...

mikelevy Mod (Mar 1, 2011 at 8:43)

If you check out the past Tech Tuesday list at the bottom of the article you'll see that we've covered some basic repairs as well. Everything from how to change a tube, adjust your headset, remove and install pedals, chain wear, chain lube, basics of wheel truing, cockpit setup ect. There will be more basic ones as well in the future.

FUSE318 (Mar 1, 2011 at 13:15)

kk thats good to hear

ripai (Mar 1, 2011 at 6:08)

i want to buy one of this but i don't know did i have any problems with install on my glory dh 09 .I ask you because one website giant write on glory specifications Chain Guide Custom .

ripai (Mar 1, 2011 at 6:19)

yea i know i will buy ISCG old but i ask you did i have any problems with install because here i can't show on live how will be .And is this on glory complete bike is anything different with this

z-man (Mar 1, 2011 at 9:41)

nice rusty chain!

citizenlee (Apr 28, 2011 at 2:12)

Cool, I have one to fit this weekend so this vid will come in very handy!

Anyone tried fitting one to an 05 SX Trail or 05 Enduro? Just wondering if I'll need to bust out the Dremel and mod it to fit?

Nobble (Mar 1, 2011 at 0:12)

from my experience ISCG old is more common than 05. Unless i'm somehow missing something. My last four bikes have all been ISCG old

bisk (Mar 1, 2011 at 3:04)

companies like giant and specialized still use ISCG old (i think the new demo 8 used ISCG 05, simply becaus it uses BB30, which is too big to use with ISCG old.. generally speaking though, most new bikes are coming out with ISCG 05.. esspecially with things like E-13's/FSA's BB30 cranks now coming out

sean-dh (Mar 1, 2011 at 11:45)

I pray my glory has iscg cos i just bought this D:

Nobble (Mar 1, 2011 at 13:43)

My 2010 has iscg old

sean-dh (Mar 2, 2011 at 5:48)

damn. cheers man ill just return it

ne14bikes (Mar 1, 2011 at 3:08)

888 service n rebuild! Plz

nouser (Mar 1, 2011 at 18:35)

wow of all people you'd think a mechanic's chain wouldn't be rusty

saruti (Mar 1, 2011 at 3:42)

wow this wilson frame does not have any clearance between the shock and the rear wheel.....

mikelevy Mod (Mar 1, 2011 at 8:45)

There is plenty, must be just the angle.

taletotell (Mar 1, 2011 at 4:59)

Welcome back, mike!

jojopunani (Mar 1, 2011 at 5:27)

dont forget to check for frame clearance! or things like the distance between lower roller to rear triangle....

marxxy (Mar 1, 2011 at 6:35)

chain needs some oil....

gt85 (Mar 1, 2011 at 7:50)

God i love that bike :[

codered3 (Mar 1, 2011 at 9:30)

Nice work, Good Topic Mike

i-eat-dirt (Mar 1, 2011 at 13:32)

when you say to adjust the upper slider to 12:00, what part of the slider are you actually using to determine this?

NoahColorado (Mar 2, 2011 at 10:25)

Essentially you want to have the upper guide bolt (the one directly above the "R" in "MRP") near 12 o'clock in relation to the crank's spindle. In some instances you may have to clock that position earlier, aka turn the whole guide anti-clockwise, on bikes with dropped chainstay designs (a lot of dual-link bikes). Can't think of a case where you should have that point radically past 12 o'clock - unless you're on a Canfield or K-9 bike with an idler pulley and you'd be using our special wide angle guide anyway. Cheers

zorba73 (Mar 1, 2011 at 20:02)

I have two mini Gs and soon figured out I needed to swap out the aluminium screws/nuts to steel.

Jesua (Mar 1, 2011 at 4:53)

thanks!

turco999 (Mar 1, 2011 at 5:03)

Awesome, i just purchased on 2.

kaptankaos (Mar 1, 2011 at 10:27)

Why is your derailleur so far away from your largest cog in the vid?

TR450DAN (Mar 1, 2011 at 19:58)

My G2 broke in 2 places and the all the bolt heads rounded out, do not buy this product!!!!

NoahColorado (Mar 2, 2011 at 10:20)

I handle warranty claims for MRP, did you try and contact us?

Granted, I haven't been doing it long, but I know my predecessor was extremely fair in handling claims (as am I) and actually pretty lenient. On the very first G2 we did use aluminum bolts which would strip if attention wasn't paid to torque specs, we have since replaced those (in production and for anyone requesting them) with steel to mitigate the issue. On the newer G2 SL the bolt heads are 4mm, so you'd have to fudge-up pretty bad to strip those. Cheers

mikelevy Mod (Mar 2, 2011 at 10:21)

Are you referring to the aluminum bolts that hold the upper and lower sliders in place? Those are light, but need to be dealt with carefully and they don't require much torque. Just taking a guess as to what happened... was there an impact that could have damaged the guide? It don't see it just breaking into two pieces all on it's own.

cornwallextreme (Mar 1, 2011 at 10:54)

2011 fox 40 rebuild please

moonchav06 (Mar 1, 2011 at 12:56)

already?? surely thats a bad sign?? :/

curler (Mar 1, 2011 at 14:47)

Don't you know? They have to be rebuilt every other ride.... On a serious note I would like to see one because ill be buying one this month.

Bjammin (Mar 1, 2011 at 17:40)

thats outrageous. a rebuild is a fairly complicated thing, i dont want to open up my for every other ride! mike also said (on the boxxer vid) that it shud be rebuilt every 25 hrs! thats a hell of a lot of maintenence!

curler (Mar 5, 2011 at 9:32)

I was exaggerating of course, but they do have to be rebuilt more frequently then any other fork

cornwallextreme (Mar 5, 2011 at 10:02)

Nah they still run sweet i just want to know how to do it

nouser (Mar 9, 2011 at 10:38)

guys what does a santa cruz vp free have??

nouser (Jul 2, 2011 at 11:53)

how do you know what chain guide and mount size to get?

EricThiessen (Aug 14, 2011 at 19:28)

what if the chain fell off? mine did and its really hard to put back on

EricThiessen (Aug 14, 2011 at 19:28)

blackspire chain guide

bonkywonky (Jun 10, 2012 at 6:11)

Am I the only one noticing the derailleur being too far off the cassette?