Do you use mudguards and how do they protect the bike?

manick0de

Just wondering what the opinion on mud guards is when having to use them five days a week?

I find they limit my tyre width and always seem to rattle, rub or just annoy in some way.
I come back to the bike rack to find they've often been knocked by others.

I realise they protect the bike and rider, I don't mind getting dirty but how much does the bike suffer without them?

I clean the bike and drivetrian once a week and find sludge on the underside of the brake calliper, Sheldon Brown says the headset can suffer due to gritty sludge can penetrate them. Is this more the case with older threaded headsets? Do neoprone headset protectors work?

redddraggon

I spent most of this winter riding without mudguards. Last weekend I fitted some SKS Chromoplastics.

The big difference I notice is that the bike isn't covered in road crap straight away. My bike used to be in a continuously dirty state straight from the first ride after cleaning it until I cleaned it again. Mudguards do increase the longevity of the bike's components as they are getting splattered all the while.

My commute doesn't have a smooth road surface so the guards rattle like buggery, which can get a bit annoying, but I'll live with that as my bike now requires less maintenance.

daniel_b

I have SKS guads on my bike, and they are great quality, a doddle to fit, and very rarely rattle.

Personally I wouldn;t commute without them, cost about £20 IIRC, from Spa cycles.

Dan

NWLondoner

I use SKS race blades. The rear ones are very secure and don't rattle on rough roads.

However the front one was a b*****d to keep secure, it kept rubbing my front wheel so now i do without it

always_tyred

I got a set of "BikeMonkey" guards (something like that anyway) from H@lfwits. A little careful drilling (the front brake mount was enourmous and wouldn't clear the headset) and some zip ties and bingo. Because they are poorly designed, the radius isn't quite spot on. This in turn means that when installed to the correct radius, everything is in a little tension and it seems to keep them stiff!

If you get a lot of rattling, best to try to keep the supports shorter. I tried the SKS's and I've set my ones up with the supports joining the guards quite far up by comparison. Makes them more rigid and there doesn't seem to be a problem with the longer unsupported part below.

One point of note - I have two bikes - I wouldn't dream of scratching the .... out of my "summer" bike to wrestle mudguards onto it. The only thing mudguards save are the brakes and headset (and your bum and feet). BB and drivetrain get trashed as normal.

Anonymous

Dont bother. Just channels the water and crap onto your feet.

Random Vince

mcflask07 wrote:

Dont bother. Just channels the water and crap onto your feet.

not had that problem, i get much wetter on the bike with no mudguards when its stopped raining (but still wet ground) than i do on the one with mud guards,

but i've got full touring guards on mine.

jjojjas

Got full guards on mine ala touring /winter style.
Dry feet, clean bike and I cycle up a muddy track every day.
Seems a bit daft to ride without them to me. They don't rattle and don't foul/limit tyres in any way.
Some people don't like them because there not "cool"......my age dictates I'm beyond "cool" so its not a worry of mine

I dont have them on the MTB all the time though, but if its lashing down I clip on some "defender" ones which stop my back getting soaking and keeps my face clean from spray.

Sailing7

Tempting fate but I'd also say that the neoprene headset covers are worthwhile too. The integrated headset on my Orbea always looked a bit vulnerable so I put some on from new. I've been commuting every day for over a year now, over 6,000 miles, and the headset is still rattle free....every other component, apart from pedals, has been replaced / upgraded!

As for mudguards - race blades are all I can squeeze onto a close clearance frame and they do a fair job - when it rains you're going to get wet and the bike will get dirty - you just stay that much drier with them. My next frame will have room for full guards - anything to keep maintenance to a minimum on a daily commuter!

Mog Uk

Another vote here for SKS Chromplastic, time consuming to fit correctly but worth it in the end, I'll leave them on all the time now....

fossyant

For commuting I'd recommend guards - just for the fact you stay much drier. If it's on a bike you use at weekends, then you could always remove them for the summer - that's what I did with my road bike - guards for winter, non for summer commuting.

I use a semi-slick MTB with guards each day, and since getting back to commuting 6 months ago, I've hadly missed a day due to the weather (only ICE has stopped me a few times).

For the weekends, I have two road bikes to play with (neither takes guards)

secretsam

I have 2 bikes, a Sirrus and my old 531. Both have guards.

The 531 has a sh1tty old pair of Bluemels Olympic from about 1900, which are awful, rattle, rub, and are generally rubbish to look at. BUT they keep the cr*p off me and the bike (less of an issue as it lives outdoors...)

The Sirrus has SKS chromoplastics, which cost a fortune, look utterly cool and are absolutely lovely, fantastic and tough.

In short, unless you can shower and change at your destination, get guards. They also prevent the person behind being showered as well.

tardington

I've got the SKS as well - no rattle, or any problems getting them on. Maybe you're thinking of those crappy cheap ones you get for MTB's with suspension forks/full sus?*

The main reason is for me, that I can get off the bike and go straight to work - even if it's been v muddy my clothes will be okay. A mudguard-less splatter up the back isn't much help to anyone!

*I've not heard of a good guard for front sus forks, anyway. Has anyone?

alfablue

SKS too, absolutely rock solid, no rattles. They keep me and most of the bike clean.

karl j

another vote for guards ( SKS if i'm asked to be specific) here.

much better than cow-shat on your water bottle...

roger_merriman

i use them all year round, mind you i use a big heavy hybrid with paniers and such.

they do keep the road crap off you the still gets covered, mind you it's not my pride and joy but my transport.

Anonymous

manick0de wrote:

Just wondering what the opinion on mud guards is when having to use them five days a week?

I find they limit my tyre width and always seem to rattle, rub or just annoy in some way.
I come back to the bike rack to find they've often been knocked by others.

I realise they protect the bike and rider, I don't mind getting dirty but how much does the bike suffer without them?

I clean the bike and drivetrian once a week and find sludge on the underside of the brake calliper, Sheldon Brown says the headset can suffer due to gritty sludge can penetrate them. Is this more the case with older threaded headsets? Do neoprone headset protectors work?

They deflect the mud away from the bike.

A - W

I have a Sirrus, full SKS guards on mine.

I use to commute without them, I use to get wet from spray and the tires.
Not any more. I would recommend using full guards where you can. Mine stay on all year around.
People have mentioned they make a good looking bike look awful, I don't care they keep me dryer.

8)

chewa

Another one of the SKS family (though they seem to last less time than when they were ESGE).
No rattles and the front with a mudflap keeps most of the crap off the bike (drivetrain and feet still get it though

alfablue

A - W wrote:

People have mentioned they make a good looking bike look awful, I don't care they keep me dryer.

8)

Black ones (rather than silver) seem to merge in with the look of the tyres so there is little of a cosmetic price to pay.

Anonymous

No. One of the main reasons I trail and mountain bike is to get muddy. It would be like hiring someone to mowe my lawn for me. I'd be missing out.

Matteeboy

Not using mudguards is a bit like surfing in winter in shorts - pointless.

People blatantly do it to look cool - well sorry but cycling is about as cool as midday in Death Valley.

Our mudguards (wife and I have them on our MTBs) weigh naff all and keep our bikes, components, faces and clothes much much cleaner on our daily ride.

I go surfing to get wet but it doesn't mean I go in without a wetsuit. :roll:

Anonymous

I go mountain biking to get dirty, therefore no mudguards. Never have, never will.

If I were commuting, different story. I ride for recreation, no other reason.

I have been building bikes for 41 years. I know how to clean and take care of my equipment. I use sealed bearings, and need no protection from mud or dirt.

No protection from filth needed in this camp.

Matteeboy

I know then - next time I go for a trail run, which I do regularly, I'll roll around in the mud shall I? I'll get my trainers REALLY muddy just for "fun" and maybe dunk my head in a muddy puddle?

On or off road, mudguards are very handy. And I've been riding since 28 years now and ALSO know how to strip and clean a bike too and take care of our kit and equipment:roll:

And do you also refuse to wear a helmet too? They weren't around 41 years ago you know. Wouldn't be right to give in and wear one now would it?

Those that dismiss them have "issues" that need addressing.

And those that resort to patronisation.

But there's other websites for all that.

Anonymous

Matteeboy wrote:

I know then - next time I go for a trail run, which I do regularly, I'll roll around in the mud shall I? I'll get my trainers REALLY muddy just for "fun" and maybe dunk my head in a muddy puddle?

On or off road, mudguards are very handy. And I've been riding since 28 years now and ALSO know how to strip and clean a bike too and take care of our kit and equipment:roll:

And do you also refuse to wear a helmet too? They weren't around 41 years ago you know. Wouldn't be right to give in and wear one now would it?

Those that dismiss them have "issues" that need addressing.

But there's other websites for that.

The OP asked, I gave my damned answer. Get your pretentious ass off of me. You do want you want on the trail, and everyone else will do what they want. I probably will roll in the mud. What do you give a shit about it?

I wear a helmet, gloves and any other safety gear I feel is relevant to the ride I may be going for, everytime, not because of any law, but because I want to, and have for 30 years now, and really isn't your business.

I don't use mudguards, and I never will. How that affects you is a mystery to me. If you want to use them, then f**king use them. Get over your self.

I gave bike safety and repair lessons to school children back in my home town when I was in my twenties. If you don't have the facts, get them, or just shut the hell up.

Is that what you people do over there, attack everyone who does something you don't approve of or feel you would or wouldn't personally feel a need for? Get real.

Matteeboy

Ermm no actually - you patronized the original poster, then me.

Sorry if you're getting on a bit and losing it too but your attitude utterly sucks.

Oh, I've just realised. You're an uppity Yank from Georgia.

Explains a lot :roll:

If you disagree with someone, bomb them.

redddraggon

Matteeboy wrote:

You're an uppity Yank from Georgia.

Nice.

I'm not sure he's a yank though. Perhaps an expat in the US?

Matteeboy

Sorry but I don't care.

He comes across as a complete ar5e.

"I know, I'll attack people for asking about mudguards, then get all defensive and snotty when someone dares to answer back."

We do things differently over here.

redddraggon

Matteeboy wrote:

Sorry but I don't care.

He comes across as a complete ar5e.

"I know, I'll attack people for asking about mudguards, then get all defensive and snotty when someone dares to answer back."

We do things differently over here.

Calm down, calm down. I don't like Uppity Yanks either.

Anonymous

Whatever works for you. I don't give a sh*t either way. it's no place on my list of priorties. I gave the OP an answer, you saw it as whatever you wanted to see it as.

'Makes no difference to me. I didn't know 'Yanks' weren't allowed on this forum. I'll do my best to act like a limey in the future. And thanks for checking my profile, you're nicer than I thought. Thanks again. (YOU'VE been patronized.)

redddraggon

bikers46 wrote:

I didn't know 'Yanks' weren't allowed on this forum.

I think it's just the uppity yanks people don't like, normal yanks are fine.