Early last year I decided to purchase a BBG bashguard to replace the 3rd chainring on my Giant Talon budget MTB. My decision to pull the trigger on getting one was mainly driven by people who recommended BBG in forums, plus, the price is right.
Check out BBG’s lineup of products here: https://bbgbashguard.com/
I personally bought the “104 BCD 32 drilled” in black @ 1/8″ thickness. I received delivery a few days after ordering. After opening up the package, which was packaged with a piece of cardboard, the bashguard was finally in my hands and ready to be installed.
Here’s the description for the 104 BCD 32 Drilled version:
Fits 104 BCD bolt pattern. Covers a 32 tooth chain ring. Will over hang 1/8 of an inch with chain on.
Made of 5000 series aluminum. Anodized for durability. Guaranteed for life no matter what.
Thickness: 1/8
Weight: 58 grams
Outer diameter: 145mm
“Guaranteed for life.” Interesting! I’m not sure what that means – I can only assume that bashing into rocks still warrants the guarantee? Maybe someone can chime in on that since I haven’t had to use the guarantee. Or, if the owner can clear that up it would be awesome!
Please be aware, the guarantee is on the 1/8″ version only (as far as I can tell). The superlight versions (1/16″) don’t state the guarantee in their descriptions.
Contents
Why I Needed a BBG Bashguard
One of the main reasons I needed a bashguard was because I was practicing trials skills. Plus most other bashguards were way over my budget which was $20 – the BBG fit the bill.
One of those initial skills, rolling up an object, involves getting up and over/onto obstacles of about 12 inches or higher. The trick is getting the back wheel over the object after getting the front wheel over. It’s all in the timing and technique to get that backwheel up. If not, BAM, the chainring SMASHES directly into the object. It could be a giant rock, log, bench, etc.
Well, without a bashguard I was constantly smashing my 3rd chainring into oblivion learning this skill – luckily I never used the 3rd chainring much. After so many smashes, my 3rd chain ring was “done-for” with missing teeth and getting bent into an irreparable state.
This is where the BBG bashguard comes along, of course, long after I learned the skill. Either way I still wanted something to protect my 2nd chainring.
BBG Bashguard Quick Review
Shipping was pretty fast, approx 2 – 3 days. After I got the BBG bashguard into my hands it felt substantial enough to take some trail punishment. I’m referring to the 1/8″thickness version, not the 1/16″ superlight version.. which was flexible and somewhat flimsy.
Although it definitely seems like the 1/8″ version will hold up, the BBG may not be the best option for a hardcore downhill rider.. or even a trials rider. Something more rugged might be the better choice, like the MRP bashguard seen here: https://amzn.to/2IN8kis
Otherwise, the BBG bashguards do very well for what they’re intended to do: protect the front chainring from rocks and roots and whatever else out on the trails.
Installation
..is so very simple. On my bike anyway.
- Undo four hex bolts holding the 3rd chain ring in place
- Replace with BBG bashguard (or 2)
It simply can’t get any easier than that. Here’s my final installation setup:
If you didn’t notice, I have both the 1/8″ and 1/16″ versions installed. Extra protection. I call it the Bashburger, since I don’t think any one has tried this. I have to mention, though, I did NOT intend on having two of BBG’s bashguards installed.. more on that later.
Advanced BBG Installation Techniques
Some people have been purchasing 2 bashguards and making what’s called a “bashwich” (which is where I got inspiration for my bashburger.
What you see in the picture above is a 1/8″ thick version, and a 1/16″ superlight version on either side of the chainring. I suppose this would be a good solution with a 1x chainring setup. I don’t have a 1x setup to try this so I’m not sure how well it works.
HOWEVER, in my setup with a 2x, I have a 1/8″ and 1/16″ flat against each other held up in place of the 3rd chain ring. Bashburger! It works well, for now.
More on why I bought both in the next section below.
Durability of BBG’s Bashguard
I’ll start by saying I made the mistake of buying BBG’s superlightweight version the 1st time around. Totally my fault. When I was browsing I wasn’t being careful in my selection and thought for sure I had the 1/8″ version in my shopping cart. When I received the superlight version I thought it was a mistake, but I double checked my invoice and realized I dropped the ball. Dangit.
I installed the superlight regardless, and unsurprisingly a few months later this happened:
Yeah the superlights are not so good, as you can see it was bent like no body’s business after I smashed hard into a rock. This happened trying to get roll onto a rock with a square edge about 18″ inches or so off the ground.
I decided to buy an 1/8″ thick “guaranteed version” after that ordeal.
While it was on the way, in the meantime, I decided to fix the superlight by taking it off the bike and flattening it back out with a hammer.. blacksmith style.
It’s not perfect but my blacksmith skills worked well enough that I installed the bashburger: a 1/16″ superlight plus a 1/8.” The Bashburger! I now have the concoction you saw above. I haven’t smashed it against anything yet, but I’ll definitely update when it happens and report back.
I’m a lot more confident in the next hit.
Why I Chose BBG’s Bashguard
It’s very simple. The PRICE is hard to beat compared to the competition. As of this writing, pretty much every BBG bashguard is sold for $12. Shipping is a flat $6. So for a total of $18 dollars – it can be yours! That’s not a bad deal compared to what’s out there. Just don’t make the mistake of buying the superlight like I did.. unless you intend to use it for light duty I suppose, or to make a bashwich/burger.
I like that the owner has kept the price the same all these years – I know this because I’ve read forum threads with pricing and it’s been the same since at least 2012. Props to the owner!
From what I understand, customer service is also well-received. Although I haven’t personally needed to contact BBG for anything. I guess that’s a good thing.
Final Thoughts
BBG definitely has a good quality product that helps out the budget minded rider fix a problem with their bikes. I very much appreciate that myself as a budget conscious rider.
As I mentioned before, I made the mistake of purchasing the superlights the 1st time. Maybe the owner can specify 1/8″ or 1/16″ in the title of the products to avoid confusion. Maybe I’m asking too much because of my own mistake! – Either way I bought again and got the 1/8″ thick bashguard and paired it up with the superlight after fixing it. I really think it’ll do well against future chainring hits.
I currently run the bashburger setup. I will definitely update on how it holds up over time.
RIDER UP