Product

ODYSSEY LA GUARDIA SPROCKET – REVIEW

Those of you who’ve been in this BMX game for a few years might remember a product called the Million Dollar Sprocket. Rumour has it, the MDS was named after the fact that Odyssey had spent a fortune developing it! 2017, bring on the Odyssey La Guardia.

“La Guardia is a total redesign of our popular MDS sprocket. With a built-in full guard, this sprocket lives up to its name, helping to protect your chain from anything you can throw at it. Sprocket thickness increases towards the guard area for greater strength. Compatible with all chain widths.” –Odyssey BMX

Odyssey have got it dialled. Their product design has to be among the best in BMX, they’ve pioneered several technologies and seem to hold more patents in their inventions than many other brands. It’s been said that Odyssey (and their family of GSPORT and Sunday) are at the forefront of BMX product design, and we wouldn’t really argue with that.

Whereas the MDS was heavily machined and ‘busy’, the new La Guardia is nice and simple. It looks strong and chunky – it’s clearly going to do its job and protect your chain.

“If bashguards are your thing, the Odyssey La Guardia is the real deal.”

One thing we really like about this sprocket is the finish. It’s different… Most CNC machined parts such as stems and sprockets have a very clean, precise, uniform finish to them. The La Guardia is slightly imperfect in that respect – it’s got more of a matte finish, uneven, approaching organic. This makes it seem more robust somehow, as if it’s made of stronger stuff than anything you might introduce it to. Whether that’s intentional or not we aren’t sure, but we like it all the same.

If bashguards are your thing, the La Guardia is the real deal. With 360 degree chain protection, you’re fully covered. If, however, you’re looking for a slightly less burly option, Odyssey also offer something called the Half Bash sprocket, which features a removable plastic guard. Good stuff.