View source for Engineering:Gear case

{{Short description|Bicycle chain enclosure}}{{singlesource|date=December 2012}}
{{nofootnotes|date=December 2012}}
A '''gear case''', also known as a '''chain case''' or '''chainguard''', is an enclosure for the [[Engineering:Bicycle chain|bicycle chain]] and [[Engineering:Sprocket|sprocket]] assemblages commonly employed by utility bicycles.  It serves to protect the cyclist from being soiled or trapped in the [[Engineering:Crankset#chain ring|chain rings]] and tends to fully enclose the drive train. It may also contain an oil bath to keep the chain [[Physics:Lubrication|lubricated]]. Modern examples are usually moulded in [[Chemistry:Plastic|plastic]]. Similar devices may be found in connection with chains used on larger vehicles and machinery.

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|width=240
|File:Bike chain guard full.JPG|Fully enclosed chain on a European city bike
|File:Bike chain guard part.JPG|Partially enclosed chain on a European city bike
|File:Flaming stack guard 1.jpg|Huffy Flaming Stack chain guard
|File:Crank_Set.jpg|[[Engineering:Crankset|Crankset]] with an integrated chainguard bolted to the outside of the largest chainring
}}

==See also==
* [[Engineering:Luggage carrier|Luggage carrier]]

==References==
* [http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ch.html#chaincase bicycle glossary entry for "Chain case"] from Sheldon Brown's website
* [http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_g.html#gearcase Sheldon Brown's bicycle glossary entry for "Gear case"]
* [http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ch.html#chainguard Sheldon Brown's bicycle glossary entry for "Chainguard"]

{{Bike equipment}}

[[Category:Bicycle parts]]


{{Sourceattribution|Gear case}}