Review: K-Edge Chain Catcher

Today's product review, I'll be honest I haven't used it for very long, and nothing's really happened with it, but as so often is the case, if you don't notice it it's probably working and working well. 

The Aforementioned Chain Catcher

Now those of you who don't bike probably have any idea what this is, and even if you do, you still might not.  So when you're shifting from the bigring down to the notsobigring, there is the chance that your chain will "jump" and jump right off and you will suddenly be spinning, and then falling, I did that quite a bit this week.  Although apparently what you're supposed to do when your chain falls off is to shift up (if it's fallen off towards the bike) or shift down (if it's fallen away from the bike) and keep pedalling.  It's supposed to bring the chain back in line and there we go, problem solved, keep on going.  Now it's great to know that in theory it would work, and I'm sure it does work practically too, I'd just rather never have to deal with that problem.

It all started with Kristin Armstong's gold medal winning ride in Beijing in the time trial.  She's a phenomenal bike rider and was once a rider for my beloved and now defunct Cervelo team.

I guess there's also a gratuitous picture of the packaging.  Now it started as a one of prototype, but made it's rounds around the pro peloton in 2009.  At first I was going to just get one from rotor, a company that I absolutely adore and love, also a sponsor on my favorite team doesn't hurt it's chances.  But after snapping a chain, and dropping it 4 times in the span of two days, coupled with a few spills onto the ground, one gets mighty wary and annoyed of frequent meetings with ashphalt.  So down I went to Speed Theory, also the shop that sponsors the team that I'm on, and I really mean on in the most literal of senses.  Went for a ride the next day and not a dropped chain.  To me, that price is more than worth the prevention of a dropped chain, I'm not going to be racing for a podium placing or anything like that, but to prevent all to frequent meetings with a hard abrasive surface, I'm all for.  Comes in multiple colors if you buy online, red and black if you get it at the shop, and it'll run you 40 bucks.  Overall, a brilliant piece of engineering, looks pretty slick on my bike too.  Only catch (no pun intended) is that you have to have a braze on front derailleur, or get their adaptor kit for it.

~Cheers