The bicycle powertrain is probably the part of a bicycle that requires the most maintenance and the part that most affects a bicycles efficiency. Why is it then that on most bicycles the drivetrain is wide open, exposed to the elements, sand, dust, everything, that will quickly cause additional friction and unnecessary wear on the parts? To fix this issue all that is needed is just a simple cover that can be very easily manufactured out of plastic, costs next to nothing, and also weighs next to nothing. Now obviously this wouldn't make the drivetrain invincible to wear but would multiply its lifespan nonetheless, car engines have chains that last for the life of the engine, hundreds of thousands of miles, for example.

Why isn't this simple solution found on every bicycle nowadays? Do they wan't us to keep buying new chains, cogs, and cleaning equipment? Does the bare chain just look too aesthetic? What is it?