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Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 2:51 pm
by G6612
Can I get everyone's thoughts on chain catchers, I have never had a problem with my chain dropping off the small chain ring so is it worth investing? If so what brand and model should I get. (I ride a 2010 Cannondale supersix with Sram Red FD)

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:03 pm
by plpete
It's kind of like insurance. You don't need it until something happens. You have a nice frame so I'd protect it as a chain catcher is a pretty inexpensive investment. I've seen too many frames with stripped paint and sometimes carbon from a dropped chain. I say do it.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:03 pm
by Weenie

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Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:13 pm
by jmilliron
Just know that if the chain gets past the catcher, it's much more time consuming to fix. Seen that in minor accidents during races.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:15 pm
by kgt
A lot of pros use it although their bikes are fine tuned.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:04 pm
by Stolichnaya
Not sure how round the seat tube on the SuperSix is but if you can fit one the easiest and least expensive item is the DogFang or Third Eye Chain Watcher. The Deda comes in different diameters, the Third Eye is adjustable

If the SuperSix has a funky chunky seat tube, then the new Canyon catcher that mounts under the seat tube waterbottle cage is a nice item. It weighs a few more grams than those that mount on the FD bolt, but adjustment is much easier and independent. The Far and Near catcher and others that mount on the FD bolt are nice and light but do not seem to have a lot of brute strength. The Canyon design is anchored by two bolts and seems more stable during a chain strike.

Adjust it well and you will have no more issues.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:26 pm
by ricorob
I use the kind that mounts with the braze on front derailleur bolt (aka token). At only 8 grams it's good insurance.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:38 pm
by nspace
Love my dog fang (as long as you have a round seat tube). Had a couple times where chain fell off the small ring and decided to invest the $10 for security. I know those will argue that only reason you will drop a chain is an out of tune f/d, but I say for 9-10g, its worth it for piece of mind. You'll hear it when its in action, and its very satisfying when you look down and the chain is already back on the ring :)

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 5:15 pm
by roberto21
luckily my Scott Foil has a chain catcher integrated into the seat tube, it has saved me once and i am more than happy that it was there. with a nice bike, i would definitely throw one on. better to have a catcher than a chewed up or cracked frame.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 5:23 pm
by seandonovan
Supersix with braze-on Rival FD using a K-edge catcher.

Don't want to muck up the pretty carbon, and have a nasty habit of dropping chains out front (usually after 4 or so hours on the bike, in a cross chain, and shifting poorly... it's my own fault, I'm aware). Works like a charm.

I think that it might be hard to use any non-braze-on chaincatcher with a Supersix, thanks to the taper to the enormous BB area, which is why I went with the K-edge.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:30 pm
by CrossRob
A Dog Fang stretched around the tube and held in place by a zip tie works fine on a Super Six (and doesn't look as bad is it sounds).

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:36 pm
by sugarkane
I tuned my dog fang down to 5g.. I have a friend who's cervelo was destroyed by a chain drop.. Only happend once and chewed up the chain stay. Better to have than not have :thumbup:

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 9:03 pm
by gmitt98
I only drop my chain during races - cross-chained, going hard, not paying attention. It's worth the 5g to install a chain catcher.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:24 pm
by thprice
Install the Sram 2012 FD, you will get better shifting and it comes with a chain catcher

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:12 pm
by CerveloBert
+1 on that SRAM FD. It really is a life changer.

Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:12 pm
by Weenie

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Re: Chain catcher - Is it necessary?

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:04 am
by Zen Cyclery
Chain catchers are simply for those who do not trust their mechanics enough to adjust their front derailleur correctly. I would say save your money and find a better tech if your dropping your chain. The front derailleur is the chain catcher and adding an aftermarket piece is not going to the root of the problem.