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Hit rocks back with Faster Than You’s Knucklehead bash guards

Faster Than You Inc Knucklehead bash guard, on bike close up
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Faster Than You Inc Knucklehead bash guard, on bike close up

Even if you’re a budget-minded rider or not a flashy person, nearly everyone has some kind of jewelry or special decorative touch on their bike to reflect their style. For those of us with a tough guy (or girl) attitude trapped inside, what could be more bad ass than a bash guard shaped like brass knuckles? These things not only look awesome, they’re also very lightweight and can’t wait to lay the smack down on rocks that threaten to wreck your rings.

Faster Than You Inc. is a company based in Agawan, Massachusetts. Their crew is made up of a group of passionate riders, who apparently have a bit of attitude and aren’t afraid to show it. Their Knucklehead brass knuckle bash guards not only promise to be effective, they invite you to ‘beat the obstacles into submission’…

Faster Than You Inc Knucklehead bash guard, hardware and guard

The Knucklehead bash guards are made from anodized heat treated aluminum, and they mount on the outside of your ring(s) via the chain ring bolts. The guards all come with extended 4130 chromoly hardware to accommodate the added thickness, and eight washers (of two different thicknesses) to adjust the fit. Since they ride on the outside, these guards are compatible with 1x or 2x drivetrains.

Faster Than You Inc Knucklehead bash guard, full shot on bike

At the moment the Knuckleheads are only available for a 104 BCD bolt pattern, but Faster Than You’s website says more options are on the way. As for ring coverage, the guards come in two different sizes- The Babyhead model accommodates up to 34t rings and the Fathead fits larger rings up to 38t.

The Knucklehead bash guards are asymmetrical, with one flat side and the other slightly milled out. The milled side is meant to go against the chainring- check out the above video for complete installation instructions. The company says the guards weigh just under 20g (size not specified) and offer a weight savings of 70% versus a full-ring bash guard.

Faster Than You Inc Knucklehead bash guard, product shot
*Photos and video courtesy of Faster Than You Inc.

These bad ass bash guards are made in the USA, and can be purchased from Faster Than You Inc.’s website for $40 USD. Currently the guards only come in gold, but other colors are planned for the future. The company also says if anyone breaks one, they will gladly replace it. As a special offer to our faithful readers, enter ‘bikerumor’ as the discount code and get 20% off!

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23 Comments
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atlbikeshop
7 years ago

These are also great for punching people in the face!

Brian
Brian
7 years ago

So, it rotates while you crank? You wouldn’t have consistent or full coverage then. A stationary bash guard like a MRP XcG v2 seems like a much better option.

Nick
Nick
7 years ago
Reply to  Brian

You always bash the same spot on your cranks, depending if your right or left foot dominant. And its cool because the knuckles “punch” the rocks/roots!

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Brian

If you don’t have a dominant forward foot you’ll benefit greatly from establishing one.

Ayyggss
Ayyggss
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

or not . you,re better off being able to attack things with either foot forward , no week point

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Ayyggss

true, you need to learn to handle a tricky situation with either foot forward, but you still want to have a dominant forward foot. In reality, getting caught with your weak foot forward happens so little it’s not a big deal. When it does happen it’s almost always during pedaling through awkward tech, not coming into something gnarly.

GuyOnMTB
GuyOnMTB
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

This is why you train each leg to have equal power and equal response time. I’ve been doing it for years. My dominant foot is the one that happens to be resting forward!

As a teen I did Tournament target shooting and my grandfather helped me get pasted my hand-eye dominance issue. I took what I learned from that and applied it to teaching my brain and legs to be equally capable.

Ag
Ag
7 years ago

So they didn’t just make it an ICSG mount becauuuuuuse….?

Greg
Greg
7 years ago
Reply to  Ag

Not all bikes have ISCG mounts, the Cannondale Flash in the pic above for instance. There are other products that do exactly what this does. This one just does it with style.
It’s a cool product. Not that I go around bashing into logs n rocks, but if I did, I’d consider it.

Flatbiller
Flatbiller
7 years ago

(deleted)

Antipodean_eleven
7 years ago

That’s a bit of fun I gotta say! Props to them for doing it. Too many uptight people around thee days, especially on mountain bikes…

chasejj
chasejj
7 years ago

(deleted)

Greg
Greg
7 years ago
Reply to  chasejj

(deleted)

Ripnshread
Ripnshread
7 years ago

I like this alot. This may just be a more regionalized thing. I grew up riding where these guys/gals do. The Berkshire mountain range trails have tons of exposed boulders and downed trees. The mountains themselves are not that tall and going above the tree line is rare. Think loamy, tight, twisty singletrack littered with upturned huge boulders from the last receding ice sheet. Having a bash ring, even on an XC bike, is justifiable.

Fantomphish
Fantomphish
7 years ago

Needs to have an incorporated bottle opener..

Dockboy
Dockboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Fantomphish

There are plenty of bottle openers.

Marin
Marin
7 years ago

It should really be made of brass or stainless steel…
Aluminium bash guard is not going to last very long especially with these big open holes.

chasejj
chasejj
7 years ago

@satisFACTORYrider ; This entire rproduct is nothing but fashion ? Is it not?
What was so wrong about a frame mounted guard? Oh that’s right it would look like a set of brass knuckles mounted to weaker and longer chainrings.
Sorry, this dumb idea is still dumb.

satisFACTORYrider
satisFACTORYrider
7 years ago
Reply to  chasejj

thnx for the recap, officer.

Tim
Tim
7 years ago

Some people here are reading a lot into the meaning of a bashguard. To me it looks like a bashguard with a cool design, period.

King County
King County
7 years ago

This is totally useful for getting over big log, (etc). As others have said, having it placed where it benefits your dominant foot placement style is perfect. BMX guys have been doing that for a long time. One nitpic: I would make it totally round, and not follow a knuckle outline, because round will ‘roll’ over obstacle better.

Brendan Connors
Brendan Connors
7 years ago

i was kinda hoping this was a company started by Faster Than You Guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyTyjQbvylg

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
7 years ago

So it’s a 1/4 of a bash ring with some bling instead of the more usual full circle? I’m sure some will love it and some will ignore it.
I use a Blackspire C4 on my rig since I’m more concerned with not getting stabbed by my own chain ring than hitting rocks. Central Oregon has plenty of rocks but I’ve only hit them with my pedals and crank arms.

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