Chain Catcher for V20c or V20

[Rolling Along]

I have a stock V20c setup with a double chain ring. I have had the chain come off the small chain ring and jam towards the pedals. This has happened more than once. Surprising to me is that the last time this happened the position of the double was lined up with the large chain ring as I was trying to shift to harder gears.

On my diamond frame bike I have a chain catcher. I also have one on my Carbon Aero 2. The chain catchers on these two bikes have different designs. I am not sure what design would work on a V20c double and where it would go.

Has anyone added a chain catcher on a V20c or V20? If so which one and where did you add it (photo would help).

 

[Robert Holler]

It sounds like the front DR has a low limit screw that is pushing the chain over too far causing it to over-shift the small ring. This chain guard from K-Edge might work well - it would mimic the type of guard that is built into the SRAM FD's:

K-Edge Chain Catcher | Jenson USA

www.jensonusa.com

 

[Alain]

With oval chainrings it might happen that the chain comes off even with correctly adjusted limit screws when riding on rough roads. I use the K-edge chain catcher and the chain never went off.
I also have a chainring guard covering the teeth of the large chainring, since this is required at races. This might also prevent the chain to run off to the outer side.
I use Osymetric chainrings.

 

[chicorider]

Ditto for the K-Edge chain catcher (I use the "Pro" version linked below). I rarely dropped the chain, but it did occasionally happen when shifting down on rough roads. I also use oval rings, which perhaps contributed a little bit to this. Since putting the K-Edge Pro on, I have had no issues.

K-Edge Pro Chain Catcher | Jenson USA

www.jensonusa.com

 

[Rolling Along]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like the K-Edge Pro should do the trick for me.

I do want to reiterate that my problem is not shifting from the large to small chain ring. It has never come off doing that.

 

[Randyc3]

Hi,
Running a Sram 22 derailleur with 36-52 qxl rings and chain catcher.

 

[Midnight]

I am glad this thread is here! Random chain dropping on the front derailleur - major pain! Severally damaged my ego as a bicycle mechanic!

I added a catcher today - will test tomorrow on our Sunday loop.

 

[Rolling Along]

They have some nice color options. I have not yet purchased one. Instead, on my last 2 ride I have been careful with the shifting. I think the chain goes off the low end if I try to shift up from the small to the large chain ring, don't make it and do something else like shift on the cassette or worse try to coast and accidentally pedal backwards. What I have been trying to do on the last 2 rides is not do more shifting and keep the pedals steady or moving forwards and retry to shift to the large chain ring. Once on I can shift the cassette. In other words shift chain ring or cassette but not both at one time - a more patient shift for me. I can look at my chain ring to ensure it made the shift.

 

[Midnight]

My opinion is the derailleur post is a weak link. Not positive but it seems to get loose and impact low/high front shifting at random times. I bought the guard since the inner chain loss is such a PITA to remove when jammed. I ride in so many hills around here I am shifting front high/low and back fairly often. Frustrating that I can’t keep the alignment in check

 

[Rolling Along]

I use a Connex link. I took that apart last time it jammed. Only works if Connex link is not jammed too.

 

[GetBent]

Ditto for the K-Edge chain catcher (I use the "Pro" version linked below). I rarely dropped the chain, but it did occasionally happen when shifting down on rough roads. I also use oval rings, which perhaps contributed a little bit to this. Since putting the K-Edge Pro on, I have had no issues.

K-Edge Pro Chain Catcher | Jenson USA

www.jensonusa.com

Thanks!

Other than the price, what is the difference between the "pro" version and the other version?

 

[chicorider]

Thanks!

Other than the price, what is the difference between the "pro" version and the other version?

The cheaper version has a one-bolt design, where the bolt doubles as both the front derailleur and chain catcher anchor bolt. That by itself is not an issue, but my experience with one-bolt designs is that you have you tighten that bolt way down (over-torquing it) to keep it from moving aside when a chain comes its way. Even so, you can still end up dropping the chain, and then the catcher becomes a new pain because it will sit in the way as you try to coax your chain back onto the chainring.

The Pro version has two bolts and a small bracket. One bolt and the bracket work to anchor the front derailleur, then a second smaller bolt attaches the catcher to the bracket. The result is a catcher that is easier to install and adjust, and stays put once its tightened down. It'll move if you press hard enough on it with your finger, but it takes quite a bit more force to do so than even an over-torqued single bolt design.

 

[GetBent]

Thanks.

Looks like that is worth the extra $$.