SKS Commuter mudguards cracked

antonyfromoz

As I wiped my bike down after the wet and pretty muddy commute today, I noticed that the rear SKS Commuter mudguard has a crack almost completely across it about half way between the rear wire fitting and the seat stay. I have not had an accident and they have only been on the bike about 6 weeks or so but I am not sure that I kept the receipt unfortunately. I think that I will need to replace them straight away (otherwise i will be dragging half of the guard behind me on the way home from work tommorrow :shock:) but i am wondering if this is a common problem with these guards (or any SKS mudguards) and if there are any that are better able to withstand commuting. Thanks in advance!

g00se

SKS are a well respected brand. I had 'commuters' on a bike day in and day out for years with no problems.

Your first point of call should be the place you bought them from - but SKS have a very good customer relations reputation if you need to email them direct.

kentphil

I've heard of SKS replacing cracked guards for free if you contact them... worth a try.

antonyfromoz

Thank you both for your replies. I have just spoken to Madison (SKS distributor) and they have advised me that I would have to return the mudguard to the shop I bought it at - which is understandable but not very convenient as I am living near Oxford and I bought them in Cheltenham - and it would take 10 - 14 days for them to consider it under warranty. Bike commuting in this weather without a rear mudguard for two weeks at a minimum is not really an option that I want to pursue. So, any mudguard suggestions that are not going to break within a few weeks, are not too expensive and probably not made by SKS (one payment to them is probably enough right now if there are other options available...)? Actually, I just checked Wiggle's feedback on the Commuter mudguards and it seems my experience is far from unusual: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sks-commuter-road-mudguard/ There must be a general issue with the rear mudguards cracking in exactly the same place mine did. I have always been told that SKS make a quality product but it looks like these might be an exception...

g00se

Try emailing SKS direct and explain you can't get them back to the shop easily.

kentphil

One fix I read is to place a bit of padding between the guard and where it meets the frame to give it a bit of cushioning. I've had SKS guards for over a year without any problems, so its a bit of a strange problem I think.