mudguards or not

marksteven
marksteven Posts: 208
edited January 2009 in Commuting chat
i must be getting old all the bikes i look at i find my self wondering if i could get a set on
«1

Comments

  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,714
    I wouldn't commute without them.
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    A definite for winter also.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • marksteven
    marksteven Posts: 208
    reg go out on sun club run take the old commuter hack heavy old lumper (so is the bike) but you always get lads out on there best bikes ( i used to be 1) but now 40 best bike snug in the loft & in my head is wheres ya mudguards
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    Mudguards doesn't mean it can't still be a 'best' bike - I built up an Enigma Etape in October, cost as much as my carbon 'summer' bike. 8)
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • fonty1978
    fonty1978 Posts: 101
    Deffo for me, nothing worse than commuting when its raining and you have a constant stream of water flicking into your face!!

    The SKS mudguards are pretty good and light too..
    Commuter Surosa Toledo S34 Audax
    Best Bike Merida Road Race 901-18

    In truth i love them both
  • MrChuck
    MrChuck Posts: 1,663
    For commuting I can't see why you wouldn't have some.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I spent about 20 years without - scoffing at them, and then got ones for my winter bike, and now I wouldnt do without them in the winter.

    Long mudflaps too keep the spray right down - espeicially important on the front wheel.
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Why are they not-cool anyway?

    Looks? Weight? Aerodynamics?

    I've had guards ever since going cycling with a mate in a white T shirt aged about 15 - mud up my back in a lovely brown splurge! I like puddles way too much too avoid them :D
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    They're much better than a soggy backside. I put aside all my concerns about not looking cool a few months ago, and it's been so much more pleasant commuting in the wet. They also keep my crappy, badly sealed Cateye rear light of the the muck and in working order.

    I'd say they're pretty much essential when riding in a group, try riding behind someone without them in the wet
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    edited January 2009
    I can't fit any on my road bike and am so fed up with getting it all yucky I am considering commuting the 12 miles on Gladys (now I'm a bit fitter than I was when I started)
    She's a dog of a bike but I do have a rear mudguard and don't care if she gets mucky.
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    linsen wrote:
    I can't fit any on my road bike and am so fed up with getting it all youcky I am considering commuting the 12 miles on Gladys (now I'm a bit fitter than I was when I started)
    She's a dog of a bike but I do have a rear mudguard and don't care if she gets mucky.
    Race blades have been working pretty well for my bikes with no mudguard eyelets: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/SKS_R ... 300005894/

    Just make sure you put the frame protector stickers on.
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Thanks for that.

    Biondino told me he hated his raceblades so I kind of dismissed them, but I shall reconsider when budget allows....
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    linsen wrote:
    Thanks for that.

    Biondino told me he hated his raceblades so I kind of dismissed them, but I shall reconsider when budget allows....
    They do seem to polarize opinion. I think they are fine so long as you make sure they don't scratch your frame and do them up tight enough so they don't rattle or move
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • singlespeedexplosif
    singlespeedexplosif Posts: 1,564
    personally can't see any advantage but understand that some people may want them. Like helmets really...
  • justresting
    justresting Posts: 292
    edited January 2009
    I would have thought the advantage was obvious, or am I missing something? As the name suggests they tend to guard you from mud !
    ' From the sharks in the penthouse,
    to the rats in the basement,
    its not that far '
  • singlespeedexplosif
    singlespeedexplosif Posts: 1,564
    I can understand that may bother some people. If I was that bothered about staying dry, I wouldn't live in one of the wettest countries going ;)
  • wgwarburton
    wgwarburton Posts: 1,863
    Mudguards a definite yes.

    Raceblades won't keep you dry, but they'll stop the worst of the spray up your back and over your legs.

    Cheers,
    W.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    singlespeedexplosif wrote:
    personally can't see any advantage but understand that some people may want them. Like helmets really...

    Neither could I until I tried to follow someone in the wet. gettng a facefull of spray from someone elses rear wheel makes for a very unpleasent ride :evil:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • singlespeedexplosif
    singlespeedexplosif Posts: 1,564
    Again, that's not really an issue.
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    JonGinge wrote:
    linsen wrote:
    I can't fit any on my road bike and am so fed up with getting it all youcky I am considering commuting the 12 miles on Gladys (now I'm a bit fitter than I was when I started)
    She's a dog of a bike but I do have a rear mudguard and don't care if she gets mucky.
    Race blades have been working pretty well for my bikes with no mudguard eyelets: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/SKS_R ... 300005894/

    Just make sure you put the frame protector stickers on.

    I didn't... it's a little mark but irritating nonetheless... still, they do their job perfectly well
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    Nope. Not for me. Uncool. And Cool is all that matters. 8)

    If it's p!ssing down with rain, you're going to get wet. Simple as that. Your @ass might end up marginally less wet with a rear mudguard, but it won't be dry. Embrace your inner wet @ss. It's very liberating.

    When I see raceblades on a road frame it says one thing to me: "I ride with a club at the weekends and we go out in all weathers because we're so tough except that we get told off by other riders in the club if we spray them with rain from our back wheels so we're not all that tough and anyway we do as we're told and put raceblades on but we're still quite tough because we ride at weekends in the rain".

    Do you now sonny. How interesting. What more incentive do I need to pass someone on a wet day? And then sit just ahead of them. :twisted:
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    Greg66 wrote:
    back in my day

    I lost context after that
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    Clever Pun wrote:
    Greg66 wrote:
    back in my day

    I lost context after that

    Ah. The Age gag.

    Last refuge of the soluble man :D
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • wgwarburton
    wgwarburton Posts: 1,863
    G66:

    > Nope. Not for me. Uncool. And Cool is all that matters.

    There was a guy on the train last night who had mud splattered over his face and head, as well as his clothes. Not only did he have to sit for the best part of an hour in wet clothes but whoever followed him onto the seat will have walked away with mud on theirs.

    Sorry, but that just isn't cool.

    For me, 'guards mean that I can use my bike at lunchtime (when wearing a suit) and that I don't get drenched when the roads are wet but it's stopped raining.

    Controlling the spray, so that riding is more pleasant is also beneficial.

    Now, bikes for Sport, rather than bikes for Transport is another question, but here we're talking commuting, and commuting is about transport.

    Cheers,
    W.
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Greg66 wrote:
    Nope. Not for me. Uncool. And Cool is all that matters. 8)

    If it's p!ssing down with rain, you're going to get wet. Simple as that. Your @ass might end up marginally less wet with a rear mudguard, but it won't be dry. Embrace your inner wet @ss. It's very liberating.

    When I see raceblades on a road frame it says one thing to me: "I ride with a club at the weekends and we go out in all weathers because we're so tough except that we get told off by other riders in the club if we spray them with rain from our back wheels so we're not all that tough and anyway we do as we're told and put raceblades on but we're still quite tough because we ride at weekends in the rain".

    Do you now sonny. How interesting. What more incentive do I need to pass someone on a wet day? And then sit just ahead of them. :twisted:

    Your utter conviction is very endearing :wink:
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Much as I can see Greg's point and will definitely not put them on my uber bike when I eventually get it, I have some sitting next to the SS commuter, because I'm fed up of being unable to wash that black london bad stuff out of my clothes...
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Much as I can see Greg's point and will definitely not put them on my uber bike when I eventually get it, I have some sitting next to the SS commuter, because I'm fed up of being unable to wash that black london bad stuff out of my clothes...

    Buy new clothes.

    (Honestly. Do I have to do all the thinking around here? :roll: )

    -> WGW: That guy? he was on a train. So he couldn't have been a cyclist.

    (that's me - always thinking. Always one step ahead :wink: ).
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Greg66 wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Much as I can see Greg's point and will definitely not put them on my uber bike when I eventually get it, I have some sitting next to the SS commuter, because I'm fed up of being unable to wash that black london bad stuff out of my clothes...

    Buy new clothes.

    (Honestly. Do I have to do all the thinking around here? :roll: )

    Anyone would think you were the burd with that logic...
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Much as I can see Greg's point and will definitely not put them on my uber bike when I eventually get it, I have some sitting next to the SS commuter, because I'm fed up of being unable to wash that black london bad stuff out of my clothes...
    +1
    Greg66 wrote:
    Buy new clothes.
    I do this but there is only so much I can do to keep the Bike Stuff sector of the UK economy afloat ;)
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Greg66 wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Much as I can see Greg's point and will definitely not put them on my uber bike when I eventually get it, I have some sitting next to the SS commuter, because I'm fed up of being unable to wash that black london bad stuff out of my clothes...

    Buy new clothes.

    (Honestly. Do I have to do all the thinking around here? :roll: )

    Anyone would think you were the burd with that logic...

    OK. This is the killer blow. The one that will have you (and jonginge) gasping in wonderment at the sheer simplicity and brilliance of it.

    Buy black clothes.

    Ta-daaaaahhh! :wink:
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A

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