The LG1 pretty much set the benchmark for modern DH chain devices when it was launched back in 2009. The latest incarnation, the LG1R, is e*thirteen’s bells-and-whistles lightweight model, designed for the modern crop of svelte World Cup machinery. The only real difference over the standard LG1 is the carbon backplate. This saves 18g over its alloy counterpart and accounts for the £50 increase in price.
In terms of use, the backplate makes no difference to the LG1’s already stellar chain-keeping-on performance. After four months of sumping the LG1R out on rocks and logs, there was no hint of give or damage, bar some scuffs on the lower guide’s taco bashplate. The only issue came after a few months of winter abuse when the lower guide’s jockey wheel seized – something that was easily sorted with a new jockey wheel from e*thirteen’s comprehensive catalogue of spares.
This really is as posh as chain devices get and would be the icing on the cake of any ultra-light downhill build.