Reddit mentions of N-Gear Jump Stop Chain Guide/Watcher 34.9mm

OP, your chain is fine. Check out this tech tuesday article, you'll see your rear mech looks pretty much identical

You need to add an N-Gear Jump Stop, it will completely stop your chain from bouncing off. I run my 1x setup with tight chain and n-gear, never drop a chain.

Judging by your chain rings, this is an older bike. In the past few years, chain stops have been introduced to prevent this from happening. I use one (N-Gear) and have had very few problems since it was installed. The newer ones (if they are more carefully adjusted) may even work better. Links to three chain stoppers on Amazon are provided below. Your local bike shop may also be able to help. Adjusting your stops on your front derailleur to its most conservative setting (that still works) will help.


http://www.amazon.com/N-Gear-Chain-Guide-Watcher-34-9mm/dp/B0029LKXPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348718647&sr=8-1&keywords=chain+stop


or


http://www.amazon.com/Third-Eye-Bicycle-Chainwatcher-Universal/dp/B000AO3HO2/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1

or

http://www.amazon.com/Redline-Cyclo-Cross-Chain-Keeper-31-8mm/dp/B001398H8O/ref=pd_sbs_sg_3

I don't run any kind of chainguide for the riding I do, which is either fast and flowy or technical (roots errywhere) XC, with the occasional drop/jump.

My entire reason for going shadow+ was to quiet the bike up. Before replacing the derailleur and going 1x10, coming down a rooty section sounded like a toolbox falling down a flight of stairs, and that's with serious chainstay padding.

The only thing I hear anymore is the very occasional slap and every now and then some rub on the RF bash I have mounted up. I use the bash and a JumpStop to keep the chain on, I've had one chain drop since going to this setup, and that was in a wipeout.

If you're getting a clutch derailleur AND the upper guide/bash, I wouldn't sweat the ring. You really have to work to throw a chain from the bottom with the new mechs. The tension is adjustable, too, you can always crank it up or down if shifting gets too hard or you keep dropping chains.