Dropped chains on road bikes create problems beyond the obvious interruption. When a chain overshoots the small ring and lands between the crankset and frame, it gouges paint, scratches carbon, and can jam hard enough to lock the drivetrain mid-pedal stroke. The K-Edge Chain Catcher mounts to your braze-on front derailleur tab and positions a machined aluminum guide just inside the small chainring, catching any chain that tries to drop inward before it reaches your frame.

The design is straightforward: a curved arm extends from a mounting plate that sandwiches between your frame's braze-on boss and the front derailleur. Position the catcher so it sits a few millimeters inside the inner chainring with a small gap below the chain's natural resting position. When the chain overshifts, it lands on the catcher instead of your frame, and you can usually pedal it back onto the ring without stopping. K-Edge machines these from 6061-T6 aluminum in Boise, Idaho, and includes mounting hardware for Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo mechanical front derailleurs.

At 10 grams, the weight penalty is negligible for the frame protection you get in return. The anodized black finish blends with most component setups. If you race or ride hard enough to occasionally overshift under load, this catches mistakes before they become scratches in your chainstay.... Read More