At the end of last year I upgraded my gravel bike to a Crux with Rival XPLR etap (swapped Force cranks and PM from my old bike). This thing is wonderful and has but one tragic flaw: it cannot keep a chain on the front ring. Any rough descent, it’s yeeting that chain into oblivion. I’ve messed with the B screw to no avail. After a course recon last weekend I’ve ordered a Wolftooth GnarWolf chain guide. Is this the answer? Anyone have similar experience? My buddy has blamed the flat top chain, but I’m not sure that’s the issue. My first race of the year is this weekend so fingers crossed this helps.
by RockeRun
10 Comments
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Are you using a narrow-wide chain ring on the front?
Mount a small chain guide. Get a version you can mount with the two shift arm screws into your frame. Sleek, sturdy and small. They are adjustable with different thickness spacer plates.
a) Narrow-wide chainring
b) Is clutch for the derailleur turned to “on” position?
1x drivetrains shouldn’t drop the chain if both of those things are set. Maybe the front chain-ring is worn? Could you post better pictures of your drivetrain?
It doesn’t look like its the culprit, but make sure chain length is correct. If the chain is too long it could cause tension issues. Also, check your chain and make sure its not worn. I would guess that is more likely than the chainring wearing out after 3,000 miles. All depends on what you lube your chain with and how clean you keep it.
A chain catcher is helpful, but really shouldn’t be necessary 99.9% of the time.
Big fan of the Gnar Wolf on my trail bike, it *will* stop the drops, but agree with some others here that you probably shouldn’t need it on a gravel bike. I ride the piss out of mine – like a full-rigid MTB – and have never dropped a chain. I’m using a Wolf Tooth Drop-Stop chainring with an XT derailleur and never use the clutch.
Have you checked out the chain compatibility guides on the wolf Tooth site? That’s how I always choose my derailleur/gear/chain combos and I’ve never had an issue.
I’ve run my Crux downhill at 40+mph multiple times with no chain drops. I’ve had rival axs and recently upgraded to eagle/axs out back with a Rival power crank and Wolftooth 44t up front. No chain issues.
I’d throw a non flat top chain on it just to see if that’s a problem before I did anything, just my $0.02.
I was losing the flat top chain several times per ride on our rough steep gravel. X-sync chainring.
Have swapped to a Wolf Tooth Drop stop b chainring with regular chain & all is well.
I would just go with the chain guide. If you’ll be racing, its something you should have anyways.