Chain catchers?

[MissyR]

I was advised by the LBS shop to add a chain catcher to our frames and I had planned to ask them just to fit them for pick up but got side tracked by looking at the pretty bikes and forgot!

So, Is it essential? Which ones do you have? Easy enough to do myself?

 

[Dogtrousers]

What sort of bike? What sort of riding?

I have no real idea what one is, so they aren't essential because I've got by without one until now. (But note, I am speaking from a position of ignorance)

IMO Certainly not for riding around on the road, but perhaps for MTBs, more roughtstuffy riding, or racing/time bound riding where every second counts.

On the very rare occasions that I drop my chain I just put it back on using the front mech, or if I roll to a halt doing that, then I get off and put it back by hand. But it just doesn't happen if everything's set up right.

 

[MissyR]

They are carbon road bikes and we don't race around the streets but do like a good run out in the country roads. Apparently its to stop any frame damage if the chain drops (which may happen till I get used to the gearing ha).

 

[Dogtrousers]

OK ... you can safely ignore me.

I know absolutely nothing about carbon frames and what can damage them.

As you were ...

 

[Kbrook]

I have two carbon frame bikes. Neither has them, if you make sure the low stop screw on the front derailleur is adjusted correctly the chain should never come off.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Curiosity piqued, I did a bit of searching and found this article which is vaguely interesting.

 

[User6179]

K edge chain catcher might be worth fitting depending on type of frame , some frames like mine if the chain drops it gets stuck, as my friend found out on his bike which is same model as mine , no tools to remove the crank so he had a long walk home , most frames I think it is just a matter of picking the chain back up onto the ring so wont to much if any damage .

 

[martint235]

Looks like one more thing to add to the list of stuff to look at when you're thinking "Where's that bl**dy noise coming from?"

 

[youngoldbloke]

I've got a chain catcher on my Rose - fitted by them - no idea if it works - haven't had a chain off since I've had the bike . Happy to have the insurance, as it were. Have Dog Fangs on the alloy bikes with standard size seat tubes - they work as long as as they are set up properly - correct position and close enough to the chain ring.

 

[MissyR]

Curiosity piqued, I did a bit of searching and found this article which is vaguely interesting.

Hmmm I'm no pro that's for sure but however I am prone to dodgy gear change or two...... might be worth investing the £15 as I think I'd be mighty annoyed if I trashed my frame over user error!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I've had a chain unship and catch between the frame/BB and crank once in my life, its a PITA but took about 5 minutes fiddling with a multitool to free it and be on the move again. Technically having the hi/lo screws right should see the chain unable to leave the rings in normal riding. They've always struck me as more of a helpful but not particularly neccessary extra than an essential part. Dunno with carbon though if there may be the potential for more damage tho?????

 

[User6179]

Hmmm I'm no pro that's for sure but however I am prone to dodgy gear change or two...... might be worth investing the £15 as I think I'd be mighty annoyed if I trashed my frame over user error!

If you have an external BB then the chain dropping wont cause much of a problem but if you have press fit with oversized BB shell then that's where you might damage the BB shell.

 

[MissyR]

I have a PF86?! Or so the blurb says on the website.

 

[User6179]

I have a PF86?! Or so the blurb says on the website.

Press- fit then ,if your BB shell is like the top picture then dropping chain wont cause much harm but if it is like the BB shell in bottom picture it will do some damage .

 

[martint235]

Aren't both those pictures of a press fit BB?