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Posted June 10, 2004 Cool product: Gamut USA chain guide ![]() Soon Gamut USA was born. The mission: to create the cleanest, simplest, lightest chain guides on the market. The guide is indeed easy to set up. I usually dread any operation that involves my bottom bracket -- it seems like chain guides usually require machining as well as voodoo -- so I undertook my installation with caution. I went slowly and timed it, and the entire process took less than an hour. That includes all disassembly, converting from three rings to one, axing my front derailleur, flipping the guide to accommodate my BB shell and all reassembly. ![]() Gamut claims the open design -- the chain isn't surrounded like in a Mr. Dirt or Evil -- means dirt and grease won't accumulate and gum up the works. ![]() The guide fits 36-40t rings, and comes in either 4x104 or 5x120 bolt patterns. Gamut's racers say they have been running the guides with no issues. I used the guide in the Big Bear super-D (fast and rough!) and my chain stayed on no problem. I've been running the guide for XC in Colorado's rocky Front Range without hassles. In short, the guide is light, simple and keeps your chain on. In my book, what else do you need? If you don't bash into stuff, this guide could do the trick. The Gamut guide retails for $139, but you can jump on the online promotion for $99.99. www.gamutusa.com By the way, a lot of companies claim to put their blood into their products, but Gamut actually does. While Juan was cutting aluminum sheets, the saw kicked back and almost chopped off one of his fingers. Despite panicking every time the blade catches, Juan is still hard at work making these guides. As he says, "There's only one Gamut chain guide, and I have nine more good fingers." (I made up the quote, but that's the kind of thing Juan would say). Disclaimer: Gamut gave me a guide to try and a t-shirt to wear. The t-shirt was easy to install, and I have not thrown a chain while wearing it. |
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