Best Chain guide

Bicycles with derailleur gears are usually equipped with several gears (sprockets) in the area of the pedals and on the rear wheel. Depending on which gear is selected via the twist grip or pressure gear on the handlebar, the chain runs over two of these gears, one on the bottom bracket and one on the rear wheel. This changes the transmission ratio and thus also the power transmission from the pedals to the rear wheel. The step resistance thus becomes heavier or lighter. The chain guide is essential so that the chain remains in position and does not jump unintentionally onto another gear wheel. It moves with the chain and holds it parallel to the gears selected with the gear shift

If you use your bike exclusively on well asphalted roads, it rarely happens that it is shaken so much that the chain jumps off unintentionally or “becomes independent” and jumps into another gear. On bicycles, however, which are used for off-road or even downhill riding, the chain guide assumes an essential function. The constant vibrations increase the risk of the chain shifting, which must be prevented. High-priced (competition) bicycles in particular are therefore equipped with chain guides that work with high precision and reliability to meet the high demands of such applications. The chain guide on racing bikes and triathlon bikes must also be smooth and trouble-free, since a chain jump-off or change could not only lead to poor results, but in the worst case to a total failure during a race

In many cases, a factory-mounted chain guide is of high quality, but does not optimally meet the requirements of the cyclist or his individual riding style. Especially in competitive sports this can be decisive for success and failure. This is why ambitious athletes often equip their bikes with an alternative chain guide that better meets their needs. Such guides are offered on the market by a large number of suppliers in a wide variety of designs. They are not only made of high-quality materials, but also offer a multitude of possibilities for individual adjustment and adaptation to the respective needs. Chain guides are offered for various applications such as track cycling, road racing or downhill applications

Depending on the manufacturer, application and price class, a chain guide can be made of different materials. These differ considerably in their robustness as well as their bending and breaking strength. In many cases, conventional series models are made of steel, which is galvanized, painted or coated to protect against corrosion. Furthermore, chain guides made of stainless steel are common and are often installed on standard bicycles. In order to save weight, professional sportsmen and sportswomen also need a component as compact as a chain guide to be as light as possible while still offering maximum stability and robustness. For this reason, chain guides are made of aluminium or even carbon in addition to the materials mentioned above. In addition, many material mixtures are in use, the properties of which may vary according to the intended use.

A chain guide is not only available in local bicycle shops. Also on the web numerous specialized shops offer chain guides in the most diverse designs and price ranges as well as for every purpose. In many cases, professional advice from experts is also offered here, as is customary in the local bicycle business. This means that you can always find the right chain guide in relevant online shops and can usually still save a lot.