New MRP 1.X XC chain guide
GRAND JUNCTION, July 28, 2009: The top of an XC race podium is not where you would usually expect to see a chainguide equipped mountain bike. But that’s exactly where Adam Craig has been ending up aboard his new MRP 1.X chainguide equipped Giant.
Three weeks ago he won all three titles at the Downieville All Mountain World Championships: Cross Country, Downhill, and the overall Omnium, shattering the course records in the process. Two weeks ago he won the Short Track National Championship at Sol Vista Basin. What’s his secret? Besides being an all-around badass on a bike, Adam was running a 1×9 drivetrain with the new MRP 1.X guide handling the chain control duties.
Developed with input from some of the world’s most demanding riders including Adam Craig and Ross Schnell, the 1.X was designed to allow cross-country riders to take advantage of the huge weight savings (a full pound or more) and simplicity of a 1×9 drivetrain without having to worry about their chain falling off.
Adam had this to say about the 1.X: “I’m committed to running the 1.X whilst Mountain Biking because it does exactly what I expect of the rest of my bike: Works without knowing it’s there. Quiet, simple chain retention and less moving parts to think about. Welcome to the 21st century.”
Stop by and see the 1.X in person at MRP’s booth at Crankworx Colorado from July 30th to August 2nd 2009.
MRP is a small company based in Grand Junction, Colorado. With countless World Cup and World Championship victories, MRP has been the choice of champions since 1996.
MRP’s patented technologies put them at the top as the leader in smooth, silent, reliable chain retention.
For more information about MRP and the 1.X, visit their website at www.mrpbike.com
Those guys must have strong legs – you’d not want to consider climbing around here without a 22t ring up front. What does this chap run up front? 32 or 36t? Interesting development though.
yeah – i certainly wouldn’t want to run 1 x 9 on my XC bike… but then again my legs don’t look anything like that fellas in the pic!
I guess it’d be great for a nice little hack bike for local rides – maybe a light weight DJ/4X build or something?
it’s definetly do-able. I live in Colorado where most of our trails are “climb for an hour, descend for 15 minutes”. After a few years of steady riding in this state – I almost never use my 22t… all my climbing is in the 32. the 42 ring on my bike is also too big… so if you have the legs it certainly makes sense to push a single ring like a 36t or 38t (adam craig will sometimes push a 40t). Around here – I’m riding a 34t these days and occassionally go down to a 32 for long climbing days).
The new Sram xx with a 36t cassette also makes a big difference in the single ring scenario.
I ride everywhere with the 36 front ring on my Alpine.. partly because I havent fitted a front mech yet.. partly because I have the legs to push a 36!
I’ve been doing this for a while. I run a 34t ring with a Gamut P20 on my Prophet. I can ride up most things fine. The only real problem is occasionally running out of gears on the flat-out descents.
If only the roller on the Gamut was a bit softer. The constant rumbling noise gets on your nerves after a while…