OneUp Components Bash Guide - ISCG05 - V2
| Where To Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $12.99
|
|
|
|||
|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
||
Review by Matt Swenson // Photos by Chris Wellhausen (Action) and Matt Swenson (Product)
OneUp Components produces a wide range of drivetrain products and this Bash Guide, they claim, will “eliminate dropped chains forever and more than double your chainring life.” The simplistic, light and durable chainguide isn’t just for enduro racers like Richie Rude and Jared Graves, we used it for trail riding, bike park ripping and even some DH racing. After two months of testing on two different bikes, we’re ready to share our thoughts on this guide.
OneUp Bash Guide Features
- Weight: 87g 28-30T, 102g 32-34T, 105g 36T
- Capacity: 28-36T
- Chainline: 5.5mm adjustment
- Mount: ISCG05
- Color: Black and green top guide pieces included
- Material: 7075 aluminum, top guide glass reinforced thermoplastic
- First guide to be both OVAL and BOOST compatible
- MSRP: $79.00 USD
Initial Impressions
Out of the box the guide is noticeably light (102g) for the 32T bash we used. Typically, light guides can mean easy bending and with sub-par support for the back plate. This OneUp back plate however is cut from 8mm thick 7075-T6 aluminum so it felt ready for potential big hits at the bike park. Having three bash plate options and two top guides makes this guide versatile enough for almost any 1X drivetrain. Installation was a breeze once we had our 32T bash guard piece on the back plate. With the cranks still on and the top guide off, we secured the back plate to the ISCG05 mounts with 3 stainless bolts at 5Nm. We then determined proper chainline spacing with the top guide, secured it at 3Nm and we were ready to ride.
On The Trail
We chose to test this guide with a SRAM XX1 drivetrain as well as a hybrid Race Face / SRAM 1x11 drivetrain. In both applications, the guide was completely unnoticeable. Since the top guide is adjustable, we were able to set it up so there was absolutely no rubbing or noise in both the largest and smallest gears of our cassette. We have tested bash guides with a lower roller and it's nice not to have the extra drag on this guide since a lower roller isn't required.
We experienced zero chain drops in any riding conditions after two months of testing on our Norco with SRAM XX1. We spent time riding hundreds of miles of trail in Moab and Colorado including the Whole Enchilada, Captain Ahab and other challenging Colorado terrain. We also spent over 25 days at the Trestle Bike Park riding everything from jump lines to techy, rocky DH trails. The bash guard has taken several big impacts on large rocks and has only small dings in the nylon.
Things That Could Be Improved
Near the end of our session we were curious to see how much the guide could really handle, so we set it up on the Yeti SB5.5c (Race Face / SRAM drivetrain) of pro rider, Dillon Lemarr. He raced all weekend at the Colorado Freeride Festival with the guide. Dillon was able to get the chain to come off during a Super D practice run in some very rocky and normally unridden terrain. We decided to drop the top guide down for his race runs since he didn’t need the big climbing gears. This seemed to eliminate any further dropping issues throughout the weekend, however, it did bind up a couple times in the gnarliest section of the bike park. Despite these minor issues, Dillon still swept the Pro Men’s class in Air DH, Super D and DH all on the same bike with the OneUp guide.
Long Term Durability
The guide has been through the worst conditions and some abnormal racing abuse and it is still in great shape. We haven’t had to tighten anything since its original installation which is fairly uncommon and impressive. The bash has held up nicely and there aren’t any large chunks missing. The top guide has seen some wear from chain slap, but nothing that concerns us.
What’s The Bottom Line?
We’d say this guide should be at the top of your purchase list considering the great performance and low cost of $79 (which includes extra parts). The minimal weight is well worth the peace of mind that having a chain guide creates. And having the bash protection keeps the chain protected from large impacts.
Although Dillon was able to drop the chain in very extreme racing conditions, we still give this guide 4.5-stars for its optimal performance and durability. OneUp claimed the guide would “Eliminate dropped chains forever” so if it would have, we would have awarded the full 5-stars.
Visit www.oneupcomponents.com and check out all the unique products they have.
About The Reviewer
I’m a ColoRADo native who’s been shredding bikes since the age of 2 and my life revolves around 2 wheels. I currently work at Winter Park Resort running both Gravity and XC race series as well as a new JR Development Race Program at Trestle Bike Park. My past employment includes working in the medical field and building/judging slopestyle events such as GoPro(Teva) Games, Colorado Freeride Festival, Crankworx and others. I grew up working in bike shops as a mechanic so I’ve always been a nerd when it comes to bike components and tech.
I’m a former DH and Motocross racer who grew up riding BMX and pioneering sketchy wood features as a child. These days I enjoy the bike park, trail riding, skate park and dirt jump sessions with my wife and puppy. Come say hi if you're ever at Trestle and we can shred a lap!
"Hold the throttle wide open ‘till you see God...then brake."
1 member reviews
This review comes after a full year of using the OneUp Components Bash Guide for trail riding, enduro racing, bike park laps, and shuttle runs. I have around 115 days of riding on this little piece of aluminum and plastic, and have to say that the results have been beyond expectations.
Set up: The Bash Guide comes with two different top guides, a black one and a bright OneUp green one. Not having any green on my bike, I immediately put the green one back in the box, saving it in case anything ever happens to the black one. It also comes with three differently sized bash guards. I chose the guard for my 32-tooth ring. Setting it up is pretty simple and I love how you don't have to remove your cranks to install it to your ISCG-05 tabs. Instead, you slide the open end of the plate around your cranks, and then line up the holes before screwing it in. There is around 10-15mm of wiggle room to rotate the plate around to get a good fit for the guide on the chain. The next step is to install the correct amount of spacers for the top guide so your chain doesn't rub as you shift from the smallest to largest rear cogs. I did find it took me 2 or 3 tries to get this spacing correct, though total time installing the Bash Guide was about 10 minutes, mostly me fiddling about with the spacers.
Tech: The Bash Guide is a minimalist piece of equipment, which will appeal to the "enduro" crowd and maybe those of us who ride our enduro bikes for park or shuttle laps. Prior to this, I had an E-Thirteen XCX top guide, and while functionally they do the same job as far as chain retention, I've found the OneUp to be more durable, plus it has the added security and peace of mind of a bash guard for a very slight weight penalty, and less money. I really like how with a couple of quick turns of a multitool, I can loosen off and rotate the top guide to remove a chain while on the trail without having to remove the whole guide. I also like how its almost invisible on my bike. At first, I was worried because the top guide is so small, but I have found the same, or better, performance as with the larger E-Thirteen guide.
Performance: After having my chain fall off twice during an enduro race in Fernie a couple of years ago without a chain guide, I have ridden with some sort of guide ever since. Then, just over a year ago, a new alpine trail opened up near my hometown. On my first time down I smacked my 32-tooth front ring on a rock, damaging the ring and convincing me that having a bash guard was an essential piece of equipment as well. I research which bash/guide unit to get and the OneUp Bash Guide just made the most sense. Light, cheap, and minimalist; exactly what I was looking for. I ordered it directly from OneUp and it arrived within a week. I was using an 11-speed Shimano XT m8000 11-42 tooth cassette with a 32 tooth Race Face narrow/wide ring. The first few rides I did notice a small amount of noise when I was in my largest rear cog as the chain rubbed slightly against the guide. After experimenting with the spacers, I found it either rubbed in my smallest or largest cog. This went away after a few rides (presumably, the plastic wore away just enough for some clearance). The guide itself is small, but provided secure chain retention throughout. The chain did come off once since I installed it, but I experienced similar if not worse results with the E-Thirteen guide. By lowering the guide slightly below the recommended line, I have now eliminated dropped chains.
The bash guide itself has saved me several times from damaging my front ring when smashing through rocks. After a few very hard hits, the guide has some minor dents, but is fully functional and continues to provide peace of mind as I travel through rocks. Most of the time however, I forget its even on my bike. Which I think for a bash guard and chain guide is the best complement I can give.
Recently I installed a Sun Race 11-46 tooth cassette and the Bash Guide's performance is still excellent.
Conclusion: The OneUp Components Bash Guide checks all the boxes that most of us are looking for; light, strong, and cheap (compared to other bash/guide set ups). It looks good on the bike, does its job, and is durable. Plus, Ritchie Rude used it to win multiple Enduro World Series overall titles. Those words alone should be enough to sell you on this little gizmo. If you are looking for a bash guard and chain guide without a chain tensioner, the Bash Guide can't be beat.
1 comments
Post a reply to: OneUp Bash Guide: Long Term Review
Specifications
COMPATIBILITY
| Where To Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. $12.99
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
||
0 comments
Post a reply to: Tested: OneUp Components Bash Guide