Mud guards for club road rides

Fatamorgana

My first road bike, a Trek 1.5 and I will need mud guards for the club rides.
What, without breaking my piggy bank, do you guys and gals recommend?
I'd seen the Crud Road racer on Amazon, but it that the set to get if I have guys not 2ft from my back wheel?

Thanks

jibberjim

Find a different group who doesn't require them.

The only people behind you who mudguards protect are those who are too close for wet weather riding.

Fatamorgana

Not at all.
I've followed others and it's a complete pain. The spray is not good, so no, your comments are not of any use, "Find another group..."!
It's a matter of courtesy as well.

nferrar

Def get mud guards for winter club runs, only a**holes don't use them Crud Road Racer 2's are as good as anything else out there, only downside is can be a very tight fit on some frames and you may struggle to use more than a 23mm tyre with them. SKS Longs are about the only other option and they give a bit more clearance around the brake bridge (but don't shield the caliper from crap as a result).

thegreatdivide

Agreed. No guards = no mates :-)

SKS Raceblade Longs are good because you can easily clip them in and out and the new improved fixing at the skewer of the V2 is much better than V1. So if it's a dry day you can easily ride guard free.

jordan_217

I lost my patience with SKS race blades as the slightest knock or bump in the road would cause them to move out of place (usually on to my wheel). It was only ever the rear one that this happened to.

I now use Zefal Swan road and they are excellent. Fit in seconds (no zip ties or bands required) and do their job well.

mroli

Zefal swan road are no good for club riding - they don't stop spray in people's faces following behind, only up your back.

mabbo

Crud Raceblade Mk2's for me. 1000 miles on a pair last winter, now fitted again for this winter,(Same pair).
I have written a few times on this. They do exactly what you need in the pouring rain, and in the last week I've done plenty of that.

jimmurray

I've found in a lot of cases that sitting behind people with mudguards on a clubride doesn't make any difference, often it can be worse as you seem to get a more concentrated stream of crap hitting you. Biggest benefit to yourself by fitting them is a dry backside, offset against this is that they can be a pain to fit and keep from rubbing.

Fatamorgana

Thanks.
Just ordered the Mk2's on Amazon.
Keeps the troops behind me happy!

graham_g

Mudflaps FTW or guards that are at least long enough to stop face-level spray for whoever is on your wheel.

I like the 'find another group' suggestion - I can just imagine a group of 'proper 'ardcore' riders all happily lapping up the slurry spray with tongues out as they pass yet another farmyard, happy in the knowledge that imbibing animal shit is far preferable to sullying their bike with mudguards.

markos1963

I use SKS cromoplastics as I have plenty of clearance and I use a cut down milk bottle(plastic) as a mudflap. Others in my club use the Crud Mk2s and do the same thing with the milk bottle. Everyone's happy.

jibberjim

Graham G wrote:

I can just imagine a group of 'proper 'ardcore' riders all happily lapping up the slurry spray with tongues out as they pass yet another farmyard, happy in the knowledge that imbibing animal shoot is far preferable to sullying their bike with mudguards.

So you ride with mudguards in the summer too?

marcusjb

jibberjim wrote:

So you ride with mudguards in the summer too?

There wasn't much dry riding to be done this summer!

Mudguards are not only a courtesy to those around you, they can ensure a longer drivetrain life and make you more welcome at a cafe stop (no proprietor wants someone with a wet streak up their arse sitting on their chairs!).

I ride with full mudguards with Buddyflaps on throughout the year on the commuting and audax bike. Provided next summer is just as terrible as this one was, I will be keeping them on!

majormantra

jibberjim wrote:

Find a different group who doesn't require them.

The only people behind you who mudguards protect are those who are too close for wet weather riding.

:roll:

frazered

The race blades don't appear to accommodate 25mm tyres ?

pilot_pete

Don't wish to thread jack, but the OP seems to have had his question answered and indeed ordered his guards.

So, to prevent starting another thread on the same subject perhaps I could make my enquiry here? I recently bought a cross bike as my new winter steed. It is a Felt F65x and very nice it is too! I would like to fit guards and would welcome your feedback/ thoughts as to what ones will fit and work effectively.

There is plenty of space to fit them, tyres are 700x32c with great clearance as would be expected on a x-er. However, the bike has disc brakes front and rear, so no eyelets on the front forks. There is a standard brake caliper mounting hole on he front forks, which is obviously not in use presently. The rear does have eyelets for guards.

So, question is what guards would be suitable? I want them in black and to cover the majority of the wheel for winter group riding. Over to you experienced winter crap catchers....!

PP

cougie

Can you use p clips on the front to secure your guards ?
Er maybe you can't if the fork looks like the pictures.

I've always used zefal guards with the quick release.

Flaps are essential to use with guards. Get all Blue Peter and make them yourself. I'm favouring duck tape and straws for rigidity. Last years and almost free.

I struggle to see why people don't like guards. They make wet rides far more enjoyable.