MRP G2 Carbon - Sea Otter 2011

Apr 19, 2011 at 10:42
by Mike Levy  


MRP's G2 Carbon explained:

MRP's G2 Carbon explained

by RedfernMedia
Views: 5,920    Faves: 4    Comments: 1



Carbon for a chain guide back plate? MRP debuted their new G2 Carbon guide at Sea Otter that does just that. There are bound to be many naysayers, but MRP feels that when done right, this is one of the ideal places to use carbon fiber. Yes, the G2 Carbon is 35 grams lighter than their aluminum version, but it is the impact resiliency that could be the real benefit to this design. Have you ever buried your guide's aluminum back plate into the ground or smashed it on a rock or log as a result of your speed or timing being off? The result can be a bent back plate that needs to be straightened by hand, although it can be terminal damage on occasion. MRP says that their carbon back plate is able to flex and absorb the hit, then spring back to its original shape, and after using one MRP's older carbon guides, I would have to agree - I've never had a guide survive so much abuse for so long. For those who won't ever be swayed by carbon, MRP will still have their G2SL guide available as well.


photo
MRP has taken their popular and easy to install G2 guide and added carbon to the mix. The new carbon back plate is not just for light weight, but also for resiliency - MRP says that the carbon back plate is far more likely to spring back to its original position after an impact, whereas the aluminum version may bend and stay in place. It also doesn't hurt that the G2 Carbon is also 35 grams lighter than the standard G2.

MRP G2 Carbon details:

- Carbon back plate
- Integrated and replaceable skid plate design
- Sealed bearing pulley wheel protected in skid plate
- Front-access, single-bolt positioning of upper and lower guide
- Captive hardware
- Fits 32-36 and 36-40 tooth rings
- Weight: 140 grams (approx)
- Price: TBA
photo
The G2 Carbon is available in two sizes and adjustable to fit either 32-36 or 36-40 tooth rings by way of sliding up and lower guide pieces.
photo
The G2 carbon uses MRP's integrated and replaceable skid plate that no only protects the chain ring from damage, but also shelters the sealed bearing lower roller from impacts.


Visit the MRP website to see their entire lineup.


After putting an older MRP carbon guide through the ringer in the past with great results, I am sold on the idea. The guide was flexible enough to not sustain major damage that would render it useless, but stiff enough to keep the chain in place on the ring. Are you as convinced as I am? Put those thoughts down below.

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles
Must Read This Week
[UPDATED] Elite Finals Results & Overall Standings from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
159824 views
Semi-Final Results from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
105293 views
Elite Qualifying Results from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
82729 views
Extra Tech Randoms: Fort William DH World Cup 2024
52402 views
Bike Check: Greg Minnaar's Norco Prototype DH Bike at Fort William World Cup
50150 views
4 Tech Takeaways From the Fort William DH World Cup
48935 views
More Tech Randoms - Fort William World Cup 2024
46562 views
Timed Training Results: Fort William DH World Cup 2024
44422 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

91 Comments
  • 274 3
 I paused my porn for this.
  • 19 3
 Rofl , made my day
  • 16 2
 Brilliant, needed a laugh today and that was it! Thanks mate!
  • 12 93
flag rejean (Apr 19, 2011 at 13:05) (Below Threshold)
 i had to watch porn after this because it gave me a hard on
  • 32 1
 I hope you are not using touchscreen.
  • 13 0
 lol fetish fail
  • 4 0
 HOJJ i mean pos prop lol, i failed im sorry =[
  • 9 21
flag bomberdave (Apr 19, 2011 at 15:10) (Below Threshold)
 I just kept it going for background noise.... the guide looked better then the chick so i just went with it
  • 9 1
 ahh hoj how classic yet orginal. so much can be said for rejean's poor effort at popularity :/ when will he learn.
  • 3 0
 oh and it looks pretty sexi aswell Wink
  • 2 8
flag chrispilling (Apr 19, 2011 at 16:46) (Below Threshold)
 gonna crack everywhere just like the non carbon... the plastic is junk
  • 2 1
 ...Or a really sexy chainguide
  • 2 3
 this IS my porn
  • 6 0
 Ahhhh, just pressed play...
  • 3 0
 HOJJJ u just made my day lol
  • 1 7
flag Konakid1324 (Apr 22, 2011 at 11:17) (Below Threshold)
 It's not THAT great! I like the E THIRTEEN LG1 better though...
  • 3 0
 I'm selling mine if you are interest:

www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1069247
  • 7 0
 Flexible is a good idea. I remember an article with a bent guard a while ago. A lot of people said they thought that meant it was junk, but a lot of us pointed out that, by yielding, it saved the frame from a total fail. This kinda makes me feel vindicated. Flexible beats rigid.
  • 2 0
 definitely a good point ^. but putting a carbon structure on a MAJOR impact zone.....just doesnt sound very wise to me. my mind tells me that the first major impact will simply shatter the backplate....but hey who knows, it may hold up just long enough to show it off to all your freinds.

sure is damn nice looking tho!
  • 1 0
 carbon doesnt shatter. It will flex and take a hit. Its as strong as any metal if made right. Even if you hit it insanely hard and you delaminate it, use some thin superglue and it will wick into the cloth and will set it back as strong as ever. Carbon = Good!
  • 7 2
 After putting an older MRP carbon guide through the ringer in the past with great results, I am sold on the idea. The guide was flexible enough to not sustain major damage that would render it useless, but stiff enough to keep the chain in place on the ring. Are you as convinced as I am? Put those thoughts down below!
  • 3 0
 will it last as long as aluminium? or is it a 1 season thing..
  • 4 0
 In theory, it will last longer. Probably the hotest looking guide in a while.
  • 2 0
 As stated in the article on ENVE carbon rims, carbon takes a lot more abuse than aluminium and doesn't loose its shape but when it fails - it fails completely.
  • 1 1
 ya but a broken chainguide isnt as bad as snapped rims.
  • 2 0
 Kral why did you just copy and paste why mike wrote already?
  • 1 0
 if your guide fails completely big deal, but if your wheels fail completely that is another story...
  • 2 0
 Totally, its definitely something to factor in. I'm personally all in favour of carbon though. If I bent an Alu chainguide I'd rather replace it than botch it, so why not have a carbon guide that isn't nessescarily botchable (new word) but takes a lot more to damage in the first place. It kinda makes sense for the season-by-season riders out there who replace parts instead of making do. Haha sleep deprivation has made putting my point across incredibly difficult but yeah, I think this is a step in the right direction for high performance MRP products.
  • 4 0
 broke my Ethirteen in two weeks. stuck at whistler with MRP as only replacement option at the time. going on 2 season now. so im glad i switched to it. the idea of the carbon keeping shape is excellent as mine is definitely bent but working. if they can keep the cost down some I will try it once my current one finally fails.
  • 2 1
 I agree My e-13 smashed to oblivion in the bike park because people stop there they shouldn't and then you avoid hitting them at mach-4 and smash your chain device into another time zone. Had to get a G2 because there were no e13s around and I am wrapped with the result. Thank you Mr.P
  • 2 0
 icwutchudidther
  • 3 5
 "My e-13 smashed to oblivion in the bike park because people stop there they shouldn't and then you avoid hitting them at mach-4 and smash your chain device into another time zone."

Learn to write. Please
  • 1 0
 What is wrong with that statement? Apart from putting ' there ' instead of ' where ' which is a tiny mistake that any person with half a monkeys brain can read past and still understand?
  • 6 0
 were you trying to avoid a psychotic female who then tried to attack you with her bike? did she sit down and cry about it for 15 mins?
  • 2 0
 nice reference....
  • 2 0
 GrantR, what a tool you are. Or maybe you're just dyslexic and that's why it didn't make sense to you. If you are dyslexic, I apologize, retard.
  • 2 0
 My standard G2 is flimsy and weak. In my experience thee plastic is cheap feeling and only just strong enough for general DH use, I have broken two top guides. The back plate has been fine, I just want stronger rollers/guides really. I'm sure a lot of you guys wont like to hear this but it's just my experience...
  • 2 1
 So buy a stronger roller/guide. Problem solved.
  • 1 0
 Good idea, I just bought a replacement G2 one when I snapped the first one tbh, it's a bit of a let down though
  • 1 1
 I never buy a product again if it lets me down in a way through use that would be considered "conventional" for the product.
  • 1 0
 ive owned an lg1 and now a g2, i can honestly say the ethirteen plastic is far more britle. the top guide cracks/snaps so easy and the taco only took a small hit to snap.
  • 1 0
 Eww...that comment made a lot more sense in my head. Reading it now I'm just like "wtf?"
  • 1 0
 Really Dougie? I've not used an lg1 but I thought they looked stronger but hey, the taco on the g2 has been good
  • 2 1
 I checked it out first hand at Sea Otter and was amazed at the weight and quality feel. Given that the G2SL is already $100+, it'll be expensive. Paul wouldn't reveal any projected pricing or availability though. But he said the proto seen above (one of 2 or 3 in existence) could be had for a mere $500!
  • 1 0
 Hi guys, just to clarify, the backplate is ~45% lighter than the aluminum version. That puts the weight of the Mini (32-36t) ISCG version I'm currently testing at around 140g. We are in the early stages of testing the guide, but so far sooooooo good. Cheers
  • 1 0
 Carbon is great, and has downfalls just like anything else. It is more forgiving than aluminum when it comes to light hits, as it will just bounce back into place - that's the beauty of carbon. The downfall, as mentioned before by someone, is that when it fails, its a disasterpiece. Its not like aluminum which will just bend or crack. Carbon will often times explode/disintegrate. Anyone remember the Spinergy Rev-X road wheels? Remember how many serious threats those posed? The wheels were poorly designed (to say it in short), and when they hit something and had to absorb too much energy (beyond the point of no return really), they exploded and splintered. There were roadies with broken noses, jaws, plastic surger to the face, splinters of carbon in their leg etc.

Ok, so a chainguide is not a REv-X wheel, and I am assuming the design is much stronger than some X shaped wheel, but still.... I would love to see someone doing a stress test on it, to see what happens when it gets pushed beyond the allowable limit, and if it can cause any problems to the rider etc.

Still, a very cool looking product with a good (so it seems so far) design Smile
  • 1 0
 Good point, their chainguide might break off causing....... their chain to fall off.
  • 1 0
 actually a lot worse, it could splinter and lock up your cranks, causing you to vault or fall at a very bad time and die, but so can a standard chain guide by bending or locking your chain, the chances are so remote though that it doesn't seem worth worrying about.
  • 1 0
 Hey, I never said it will happen, or that the chances are high; I was merely weighing the options and discussing postive and negative aspects. The Rev-X wheels were considered an amazing feat, and had a very low chance of error....look what happened there.

The only BAD thing I see happening is if it DOES break, it will splinter, and if someone is wearing shorts, I would hate to see the damage to their skin and tissue of carbon spinters embedded nicely in their leg.
  • 1 0
 this thing would fit PERFECT to a 2012 carbon session Smile
and carbon backplates are lasting very long, here in central europe there are many riders with self bild carbon back plates riding them for years right now without problems
  • 1 0
 This is exactly what I've been waiting for to go 1x9 (or 1x10) on my trailbike. I want a chain guide with taco (or skid plate) and current options make the weight savings negligible, and not worth the investment (IMO) - why run a DH guide on a trail bike?. I've been waiting for guide manufacturers to make a lighter version of the DH chain guides with skid plates for trail duties, and this seems to fit the bill. I'll be looking forward to seeing how much they come in at.
  • 1 1
 Hi guys, just to clarify, the backplate is ~45% lighter than the aluminum version. That puts the weight of the Mini (32-36t) ISCG version I'm currently testing at around 140g. We are in the early stages of testing the guide, but so far sooooooo good. Cheers
  • 3 1
 160 grams! so only 10 grams lighter than the aluminium version. doesnt seem worth it, unless your after a bit of bling!
  • 1 0
 10 grams ??? did you even watch the video ? 35 grams lighter which is a 45% weight saving ... almost half
  • 3 0
 the weight isn't the selling feature, it's the improved durability that's the selling feature...
  • 3 0
 The 45% savings is the carbon back plate vs aluminum back plate. The number excludes all other components, which remain the same.
  • 5 0
 how about that?
www.pinkbike.com/photo/5973850
www.pinkbike.com/photo/5973849
  • 1 0
 i hope it performs as good as it look. Bet you you wont get change out of a 100 thou...
  • 2 0
 or two bills
  • 1 2
 you'll be lucky to get any change out of 200..
  • 1 1
 sorry thats what i meant, hit the wrong key :S
  • 1 0
 Im interested in it woud be a good investment if the price wasnt too big.Just have to see what it costs now
  • 1 0
 I have a Shaman Racing Drake (the Al one) and it is 150 grams(proved).
It sucks that this one is 160 grams.
  • 2 1
 It sucks your lighter Al guide will bend and/or break before this one.
  • 2 0
 Atleast no one will be suprised when they say retail is $180+
  • 1 0
 if you like carbon i'd check out the chainguide from carbocage which weights even less and works perfect on my 4x-bike.
  • 1 0
 if you like carbon i'd check out the chainguide from carbocage which weights even less and works perfect on my 4x-bike.
  • 2 0
 the carbocage dosent have a bashguard though
  • 1 0
 beautifull :0

i want one
  • 1 0
 Deff getting this when i build up my TR450.
  • 1 0
 sexy as f*** i need 2 pls asap
  • 2 0
 I like the retro orange.
  • 1 0
 looks sick, but the price will probably be pretty high
  • 1 0
 It's sweet but the aluminum ones already cost a fortune.
  • 1 0
 if you lost 35 grams eh,you would all be a pro?
  • 2 0
 Orange? Not a fan.
  • 1 0
 white FTW!
  • 1 0
 it's so nice but can you get different colors other than gold?
  • 1 0
 That looks to good to use on a bike.
  • 1 0
 ooooooooh carbon
  • 1 1
 Dayum new investment for me I think...
  • 2 0
 Investment?are you kidding?why call that an investment if the value goes down once u useed tha dang thing?
  • 1 1
 Maybe because it could save you the race, your chainring, and chain?
  • 1 1
 yeah man..i will buy it to keep my chainring and so on all in top condition...one may say this version is more flexy but its surely stronger if it is carbon...annd i will be "investing" on this because my gamuti is....shit!
  • 1 0
 :O I want that :O drool
  • 1 0
 35 grams is NOTHING!
  • 3 0
 what is even more ridiculous is that this should be even cheaper to produce than cncing an aluminum one - i bet my ass these are simply cut from a big sheet of carbon that can be machine-produced unlike frames that require manual laminating...
  • 1 0
 That's exactly how it looked when I saw it in person.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.029677
Mobile Version of Website