As I started jumping bigger obstacles on trails', I was begining to wince everytime my good ol' big ring would "help" me over the log. Instead of wrecking it, I put on a bash guard to prevent the teeth from breaking off or chipping up. I also do a lot of urban riding, so it helps when I can't quite get up that concrete obstacle too. I have a black spire ring god. You do loose the ability to use your big ring, but you will prevent major trashing to the rest of it.