e.13 components started with the SRS chainguide. It offered exceptional performance with durability that was simply unmatched thanks to it's Tuffmax bashguard. Then came the lightweight race oriented LG1. By ditching the bashguard, racers could save precious weight, and run less risk of bending their crankset spiders when they cased the hell out of something with the bashguard. Of course, they risked completely destroying their chain/chainring if they hit something large and unmovable, like say, a rock.
The evolution to the LG1 was the addition of a "Taco". Riders began cutting pieces of e.13 supercharger to run behind the chainring and protect the ring from impacts in as minimalist a manner as possible. The boys at e.13 suggested the mod to racers, but would not officially endorse it, as they couldn't maintain quality assurance with everyone hacking up their own guides in sometimes strange manners.
Finally the answer has arrived. 6 world championships and countless R&D months later, the production Taco is shipping to distributors as we speak.
Coming in at 68 grams, the production taco is 20-25 grams lighter than the DIY setups, including hardware. It will be included with all 36 tooth LG1s shipping as of this week (40 tooth to come shortly), at no extra charge to consumers.
If you wish to purchase one for an older guide, it will run the same amount as a Supercharger bashguard. It will work with all backplates with the proper mounting holes (every backplate shipped in the last 2 years), and will be available in transparent red, transparent blue, clear, black, white and the limited edition colorways available in the future.
e.13 was also sure to file for patents on this one, so copycats beware!
"The pioneering e.thirteen design attaches a "taco" bashguard directly to a chain retention system mounting plate. By eliminating the bashguard attached to the cranks, chain retention system weight is reduced, while offering the bash protection that racers need to compete. As of today, e.thirteen is the only company that currently has a patent portfolio aimed at protecting this innovative technology."
For more info, see http://www.e13components.com
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