SKS vs Crud's - fight!

jezmo

OK, it's wet, I'm wet, I'm going to get wetter going home and Winter is around the corner... I need some mud guards!

Using the combined experience of the BR forums lets see which everyone reckons are the best, Crud roadracer MkII's or the SKS race blades (or other)? Just for the record, I'm riding a (red) Caad9 and 23mm Gatorskins.

Let the fight commence!

porker33

Lots of views and no replies......

So even though I haven't tried either. I thought I may at least start the ball rolling........

Having read through product reviews and previous forum commentaries I am looking to buy a set of Crud mk2's for my Caad.

From what I have seen they appear to offer better protection for the gearing than the raceblades, yes I appreciate they may not be a "perfect solution".

So cruds for me, unless anyone else has a good reason not to?

TommyEss

Having used both - the race blades slip a bit but are sturdier.

The cruds stay put but I've just broken one...

On balance, I'd probably go Cruds - they do offer better coverage, but are trickier to fit.

(Of course, full guards are even better - but I re-read your question!! )

ColinJ

Well, I put Cruds on my bike and they are still there so that should tell you something!

I have the Mk2s now and gave my Mk1s to a mate who is equally impressed with them.

rolf_f

Cruds now on my Ribble Gran Fondo permanently. I think it actually looks better with them on!

plowmar

I've voted cruds but not having had experience with the SKS blades it was a bit of a foregone conclusion. After sales service has been first class.

Bobbinogs

I use the Cruds which I think are great but all 3 of my road bikes just don't have clearance for mudguards with anything other than 23mm tyres, which is a bit annoying because I have one nice set of 25mm's that I cannot be bothered to put on just for the nice weather.

I believe that SKS do an XL version and am not sure how much clearance your bike has... but it may be worth bearing in mind.

Secteur

Bought cruds for my Secteur and they dont fit. Neither I nor the LBS could get them on properly.

So, I use SKS which I prefer as they are much easier/quicker to get on and off, more solid and look decent.

So, SKS for me.

hammerite

Race blades are next to useless, so I'd go for Cruds. However, if you can fit them go for SKS Chromoplastics.

Secteur

hammerite wrote:

Race blades are next to useless

How so? They perform extremely well for me.

majormantra

Both are a pain. Get a winter bike with proper guards.

jezmo

This is turning into a bit of a Crud walkover, 7-2...

I should probably have included SKS Chromoplastics on the poll too, since they seem to offer more "wraparound" than the blades, just not sure what their clearance is like on a typical road bike frame?

majormantra

jezmo wrote:

This is turning into a bit of a Crud walkover, 7-2...

I should probably have included SKS Chromoplastics on the poll too, since they seem to offer more "wraparound" than the blades, just not sure what their clearance is like on a typical road bike frame?

You'd struggle to get full guards on a CAAD9 without some quite creative bodging.

porker33

Struggle?...surely not a chance even with 23mm tyres?

majormantra

This kind of thing is possible:



(Image from google)

...but a hassle.

hammerite

Secteur wrote:

hammerite wrote:

Race blades are next to useless

How so? They perform extremely well for me.

Too flimsy, move about too much, don't offer enough coverage so the rider will still get wet, and anyone following behind.

The cruds offer much more coverage.

porker33

Jezmo, my cruds were ordered yesterday, with any luck they will be here tomorrow?
I will let you know how easy they are to fit on my caad.

antikythera

Crud catcher by far.

Doesn't help that you need to fix SKS's by drilling a hole and screwing them down. I didn't do this and had worn a hole in the rear fender.

In my opinion the crud's are more effective and less obvious. But I have the original version, so I recon the updated version with larger tail ends could be better

ColinJ

MajorMantra wrote:

This kind of thing is possible:



(Image from google)

...but a hassle.

Jeeeeeeeeeesus - this is getting creepy! That's twice in a few days that that photograph of my bodged Basso pre-Cruds has been picked up by someone on t'Interweb! :shock:

Did you find that photograph here?

nferrar

I got fed up of race blades moving and rubbing/rattling, got mk 1 raceguards and was happy enough (lost the front tail after catching it on toe overlap without realising). Managed to lose the mounts so recently bought mk 2's and like the extra rear coverage (I don't bother fitting the fronts these days as occasionally need to transport the bike in the car with the front wheel off & bars turned and wear overshoes if it's wet anyhow).

beancounter

I have race blades on my commuting bike and they do keep some water/grime off me but don't keep very much off the bike.

I'd like to fit cruds but it's a cross bike with cantilever brakes - can this be done?

bc

jezmo

Well, I think we have a clear winner - Crud's it is!

majormantra

ColinJ wrote:

Jeeeeeeeeeesus - this is getting creepy! That's twice in a few days that that photograph of my bodged Basso pre-Cruds has been picked up by someone on t'Interweb! :shock:

Did you find that photograph here?

It's me again, the same MajorMantra as on BF. This topic comes up a lot at this time of year and your photo illustrates the idea perfectly. Apologies if I'm grossly exceeding the idea of 'fair use'. :oops:

mr.crud

http://www.crudproducts.com/products/ro ... adracer___

Thanks for all the heartwarming comments... me and Jamie put in a massive amount of work designing this product.
Above is a new fixing tutorial, with several tricks and tips for a good fit.
All spares are available at cost price from the website.
Have a good Autumn!

Cheers
Mr CRUD

ColinJ

MajorMantra wrote:

ColinJ wrote:

Jeeeeeeeeeesus - this is getting creepy! That's twice in a few days that that photograph of my bodged Basso pre-Cruds has been picked up by someone on t'Interweb! :shock:

Did you find that photograph here?

It's me again, the same MajorMantra as on BF. This topic comes up a lot at this time of year and your photo illustrates the idea perfectly. Apologies if I'm grossly exceeding the idea of 'fair use'. :oops:

D'oh! I was so busy looking at the photograph that I didn't think to check who posted it!

I always watermark the photos so I'm happy for people to copy them/link to them.

beancounter

mr.crud wrote:

http://www.crudproducts.com/products/roadracer/roadracer___

Thanks for all the heartwarming comments... me and Jamie put in a massive amount of work designing this product.
Above is a new fixing tutorial, with several tricks and tips for a good fit.
All spares are available at cost price from the website.
Have a good Autumn!

Cheers
Mr CRUD

So...can you fit cruds to cross bikes with cantilever brakes?

bc

BelgianBeerGeek

There is another thread on this.

Short answer: no.
To be effective the cruds need to fit snugly.
Lack of places to tie them on might also be an insurmountable problem.

Been using them for nearly a year (can't be bothered to remove them) on the commuter and they are a great product.

porker33

I fitted my crud 2's to the caad10 today.

A nice product, they went on easily enough and I didn't need to cut or butcher them at all.

I rode them round the block to check on rubbing, they seem fine, not sure how they will fair with some serious rain or mud on the road...we shall see.

Niccoss

Crud's are great and use them on my Madone in Winter....
Race Blades on the PlanetX Commuter as cannot get cruds on with the Gatorskin 25s

porker33

The cruds must be good, I bought the Caad and cruds specifically so that I didn't have to use my Madone in winter!

Sheikhus

Secteur wrote:

Bought cruds for my Secteur and they dont fit. Neither I nor the LBS could get them on properly.

I couldnt get them to fit mine either. Was that with the standard 25s on? I'm considering fitting 23s to see if that works.