Mudguards

Teach

Just a quick questions and I'm not sure where to post it, may b it should be in cake shop, anyway. I don't want advice about which mudguard to buy, but when to use them! I have a winter bike with mudguards and a shiny summer bike.
I'm looking at doing some club runs, TTs, etc do you put mudguards on when cycling in wet weather out of courtesy, do you not bother, everything's a race and if they are too slow to get in front it's their problem, do you, it's made of carbon and there's no way i'm putting mudguards on it etc?
it's not something I' going to lose any sleep over, but just wondered what people do, especially as our country is so unpredictable with showers.

cougie

Mudguards for winter. And if its a wet day. If you have showers when you're out and you're on summer bikes - then thats just unfortunate.

At this time of the year though - still guards - and make sure you have a flap on the back, otherwise you'll not be well received on a club run.

And no - no guards for TT's.

Teach

Thank you.
What do you mean by a flap? I hall full sized guards and I certainly don't get sprayed, can't say I know what it's like to be behind me.

Berk Bonebonce

Some groups, clubriders for example, might operate informal rules in respect of mudguards. But hey, if you're a loner the spray from your wheels ain't going to land on anyone.

cougie

Aah half sized arent any use for club rides - yes they keep you clean but they'll throw it all over anyone on your wheel. You need full guards and a flap even on them for peole yo be able to ride your wheel in the wet.

If you haven't full guards you'll probably be told to keep at the back of the run if it's bad weather.

peejay78

if you turn up in winter without guards - or even turn up in knowledge that the lanes will be wet and greasy - then expect some muttering. it's not good form.

dawesboy

I'd never even thought about spraying people! I obviously ride on my own!

MikeWW

Don't bother when it gets to this time of year

Philby

Half the people I ride with never seem to use mudguards at any time of the year which I find rather selfish - just remember not to get too close to them when going past farms where cows have been herded for milking.

vorsprung

peejay78 wrote:

if you turn up in winter without guards - or even turn up in knowledge that the lanes will be wet and greasy - then expect some muttering. it's not good form.

It depends on the club. One I rode with I was the only one with mudguards, even in the middle of winter/rainy days on routes via muddy lanes

cougie

I know my club are pretty much all mudguards but its an old school club. I think a lot of the newer ones may be slacker on guards as a lot of people wont put guards on their best bike and thats all newer cyclists tend to have ?

dizzydane

I have on my MTB, but don't bother with my winter road bike. Besides it keeps the randoms from clinging to your back wheel.

Some clubs insist on them though....