Poll : Mudguards on Road Bike

dee4life2005

I've just bought myself my first road bike and was debating whether to fit mudguards or not - thought this might make a good poll (apologies if this has been done loads of times before, but my limited searching skills didn't come up with anything..)

I'll likely be commuting twice a week (21 miles each way) on the bike and going for longer rides at the weekend. I've been caught out on the commute a few times this year with the bad weather, but to be honest rain doesn't really both me.

slowbike

I'm looking into getting a pair ...
Although I've ridden in the wet without them it's not very nice if you're riding with someone else ..

Gizmo_

No, but I'll pick up some Roadracers for autumn I think. Just to save me cleaning the bike every day.

clickrumble

Ha! Got one without, then this summer started so I bought another bike with, so I can select the bike according to the weather forecast. Riding in the wet with no mudguards is not my idea of fun.

Mr Will

I've done two winters with my road bike now, the first I fitted Roadracers, the second I didn't. Components and bearings seemed to wear noticeably faster the second winter, so if I did it again I'd fit them despite the fact I prefer the bike without.

As it is, I've gone N+1 instead, so I'll save the road bike for dry days but I imagine that's not an option here!

thecrofter

I put yes, but only during winter. Given that winter in Scotland counts as eleven months of the year :roll:

t.m.h.n.e.t

Crud Roadracers and lights going on soon methinks

imsimon

I use raceblades, they take less than a minute to chuck on if the weather is crap and really make a difference in thte crappy weather

cougie

There's no option for just on the winter bike ? But that can come out if the summer turns foul.

thescouselander

Ironically my mudguards get the most use in the summer when it seems to be wettest - the rest of the year seems to be dry by comparison so I don't bother except for maybe Jan/Feb when the roads stay wet due to the low temperatures..

JamesB

Use two bikes, one an audax / fast trainer type and mudgurads stay on ALL year, bike gets used also for sportives if weather wet, roads mucky from latest deluge. Second bike is out and out racing bike but often fit raceblades if using in wettish conditions, and want to enjoy the added performance the bike has over training bike. Riding in the wet with no mudguard protection is not my idea of fun

For this winter coming up am planning using MTB with rigid forks + full mudguards + disc brakes for all weather performance and lack of messy rims

simon_masterson

On all the time. SKS.

My favourite bike is a stately vintage Ernie Clements-era Falcon, not an out-and-out racer, so I have no qualms whatsoever with reaping the benefits. When I buy a more racey sort of bike, I won't bother with them - certainly not the 'fixed' type - my Falcon is more than competent for commuting all year round.

But this is a great litmus test for distinguishing the amateurs who lack experience of riding with others. As if there's anything wrong with mudguards anyway. No-one's telling you to leave them on for all the races that you aren't doing.

Bordersroadie

If you'd had an option that said "yes, when it's a wet day (or likely to be wet)", I'd have voted. I'd say there are a lot of riders that take out the "wet weather bike" (aka winter bike) on wet days irrespective of what season it is.

I'm not sure of the point of your poll. If you are happy to have a wet arse/feet and get your "best bike" wet/dirty, then go ahead and ride it in the rain. . . if it's an only bike, than just decide to fit them, or not.

Anonymous

Crud road racers mk2. When its gonna be wet or for winter.

rolf_f

Cruds on the Gran Fondo all year round. No mudguards on the Look ever! But then it doesn't need them as I have the Gran Fondo for that.

There to protect the bike as much as me hence proper full guards.

RonB

Raceblades in the winter, if it's raining. No second road bike and no chance of full guards with my frame.

CarlosDSanchez

2 bikes, one for the wet and one for the dry. I use both all year round.

yeachan153

All the time for me, black so blends in with tyres and weight is hardly an issue. Sks ones!

tonye_n

yeachan153 wrote:

All the time for me, black so blends in with tyres and weight is hardly an issue. Sks ones!

Same as above really.
I moved from a Specialized Roubaix to Genesis Equilibriium specifically because the latter takes super slim fixed mudguards... And still looks great visually.
Riding in the UK without any kind mudguard/protection is not fun for the rider, and bad news for the bike/components in terms of accelerated wear rate.

MARKF

I've only got one roadbike,a Spesh Allez, last year I fitted Crud Roadracers to it,I was going to take them off when we got to the dry part of summer but that never happened so they're staying on until next spring..
I got caught in a summer downpour last year,not nice,I think I got wetter from what was being flung from the back tyre than the rain, so that's why I fitted the cruds.I think this puts me down as all the time

DarrenGTi

Just fitted my crudracers to my commuter this evening and digging out batteries for the lights. It must be that time of year already!

TheEnglishman

On all the time. I'm too old for that striped effect and the speckled face look.

thiscocks

If its your only bike and you use it for commuting then yes.