Cosmetic surgery on my 'glider, Matt:
(I realize that this is desecration for some, but in mitigation, yer honner, I did it only 'cos Hebie doesn't make a 'glider designed for a 36T ring.)
Two bits:
First, to accommodate my switch to a 36T ring: (you don't need this, I think -- your ring is a 38T item, no?) I cut out the rear portion of the front circular section, the part encasing the rear part of the chain ring. Makes no noticeable difference that I can see in dirt'n'crud finding its way into the 'glider. As a precaution, I wrap a couple of turns of plastic electrical tape around the upper and lower runs of the 'glider, close to the ring itself.
Second, for the 36T Rivendell alloy ring, 3 MM: (The Surly 36T steel ring is slightly thinner, so doesn't need this extra attention. OTOH, the Rivendell ring gives me a chain
with no tight spot, first time I've seen that in a lifetime of riding chain-driven two-wheelers.) So: on the inner faces of each of the two clamshell halves of the front portion of the 'glider where it encases the front part of the chainring and the chain itself, there's a small collar, about 2 - 3 mm high. As the 'glider encases the front portion of my Rivendell ring, that collar sits
just over the toothed portion, and close to but not touching the thicker part of the chain ring below the teeth.
I used a sharp knife to remove the collar on each side, just to ensure that neither the teeth of the ring nor the portion just below the teeth rub on the 'glider.
Again, no noticeable entry of crud.
(But there
is a noticeable weight loss on steep hills.
)
Hope this helps, Matt. I could take a picture if my words don't suit -- don't hesitate to let me know.
Cheers, J.