Extended flap for rear mudguard - length?

redddraggon
redddraggon Posts: 10,862
edited January 2009 in Workshop
Assuming standard SKS Chromoplastics, and 700c wheels, how much do I need to extend the guards to give the guy behind me a drier ride?
I like bikes...

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Comments

  • rb1956
    rb1956 Posts: 134
    Basically, you can't make mudflaps too long, unless they rub on the ground or wheel while you're riding. I took the front flap down to within 50mm of the ground, and then rounded the end so it looks neat and doesn't rub the road in tight corners. I don't bother with a rear flap, because I don't ride in a group, and don't much care about the guy behind :twisted: but if I did, I'd probably extend the flap at least 300mm beyond the end of the guard.

    One thing though, I use rubber matting to make my mudflaps, which tends to curve to follow the wheel, because it is stored rolled up. I got some ideas from this page.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Oh you can have fun with mudflaps. I made mine with ducktape and two drinking straws for rigidity. Mine is way long - both front and back - not that far off the road - but they cut down spray fantastically.
  • master_grunthos
    master_grunthos Posts: 161
    make the front one wide too, really helps keep the worst off your feet. I've given it a curve using a section of old spoke bent then attached horizontally

    I used a couple of cut out sections from a 99p car mat with alu washers made from beer can to stop the rubber splitting where i bolted them onto the mud guard. Rear one is only a few cm off the ground but I'm told it works very well. On slow climbs the rear one does flap and hit the wheel but not so as to get 'sucked' up so it's no issue at all.

    The car mat is more than large enough so you can replace them after a year when they get tatty.
    M_G
  • AlanW
    AlanW Posts: 291
    280mm long x 50mm wide.

    The top section of the flap that goes up inside the mudguard, reduce the width by 5mmm each side, so 40mm total width. This only needs to be 80mm of the total length, it allows the flap to fold inside the curve of the mudguard.

    But make sure that when the 40mm width steps out to the 50mm width, it is cut with a curve. Otherwise the flap will split.

    Does that make any sense what so ever? :roll:

    It does to me, but then again I make them. :D

    PS
    Forgot to add, go into Wilkos, and get yourself a Students A5 Plastic folder for just 99p. You can make hundreds from that. Well ok, maybe not hundreds, but quite a lot. :wink:
    "You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"
  • andrew_s
    andrew_s Posts: 2,511
    It needs to reach to within 4 inches or so of the ground.
    I'm currently using a section off an A4 ring binder, about 30cm long. Your average washing up liquid bottle isn't tall enough.

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