SKS-Germany Raceblade Pro XL?

bungle73

Anyone used these? These are the mudguards I probably should have bought in the first place.

Been using Crud Roadracer Mk3s since last winter. Took an age to set up last time so they didn't rub, but eventually managed it. Tried to put them on for this winter, and thought I had them set, only to find them start rubbing. Now I cannot stop the rear from rubbing. They are doing my head in. I'm thinking of binning them and going for the above mudguards, because a guy I follow on YT has them and recommends them. They look like they would be easier to put on and take off, and provide more clearance for the tyres. The reason I didn't buy them in the first place is because they provide no protection for the seat tube and chainstay area, where as the Roadracer's do. I know from experience that these areas are a dirt magnet, so I thought the Roadracers woulds be better. Anyone got the SKSs? Do these areas still get as dirty as if you weren't using mudguards? Maybe there is a better option?

bondurant

If you think you don't like them now, wait till you see what the Cruds have done to your paintwork.

big_harv

Yes, I've had these for years. You're right on all counts. Clearly there are a few exposed areas, under brake calipers being another one. That's the deal with them. Better than nothing tho'

Incidentally you can buy extensions for the rear, or make your own. I'll find the link in a bit. The guy behind you will appreciate it!

lakesluddite

I have used the Raceblades, and they are really easy to install and altering the clearance is a cinch. Be aware though, there is, as you say, no protection for the back of the seatstay, and there is also nothing 'out front', so any crud that gets thrown up in front is directed straight into your face (especially in headwinds!). They are still far better than nothing though, and perhaps the best option for clip-ons if you can't fit full mudguards.

big_harv

Bungle -

https://rawmudflap.uk

bungle73

Thanks. I'm wondering if somehow I could bodge the front section of the rear RR mudguard to use it with the SKSs. It's already a separate part from the rear section. I'll have to look into it.

bungle73

The annoying thing is that I can't even work out why it's rubbing, and it's only rubbing on part of the rotation.

big_harv

Apparently you're not alone.

https://cycletechreview.com/2016/access ... ds-review/

ultrastapler

I use them and find that while they are't brilliant at keeping the bike clean, they do keep me very dirt free compared to riding without them

I can clean the bike off with the hose easy enough too

bobones

These are meant to be a good alternative to race blades:

https://road.cc/content/review/242413-f ... -mudguards

bungle73

bobones wrote:

These are meant to be a good alternative to race blades:

https://road.cc/content/review/242413-f ... -mudguards

Says they only support up to 25 mm tyres, and I'm running 28s.

The thing is I do have eyelets on the frame and fork, but when I tried to use them the guards I bought wouldn't fit. I like the idea of ones that can taken off and put on easily anyway.

bungle73

What I don't understand is why the are rubbing now when they were't before (and I haven't touched that area of the bike since, or even ridden it recently), and why I can't set them up so they don't rub now, when I managed it last year. I've examined the tyre and the inside of the guards, but I found nothing untoward. :?

bungle73

I thought it might be the tabs that hold the front section on that were rubbing, as they stick out a tad, so I thought I could solve it by taking it off and only using the rear part, but the f'ing still won't stop rubbing!!

I'm fed up with the bloody things.

ayjaycee

What bike are you trying to fit them to - disk or rim brakes and, if the latter, what ones?

My very limited experience of those Cruds amounted to some very frustrating time trying to get them on the then winter bike (an Allez), swearing at them a lot and, finally sticking them back in the box and returning them. I came too the conclusion that if other words for 'crud' were 'crap' or 'sh1t' then they were very well named.

svetty

ayjaycee wrote:

What bike are you trying to fit them to - disk or rim brakes and, if the latter, what ones?

It may well be that the combination of your bike and 28mm tyres makes the tolerances too fine for most brands of mudguard. I'd personally sacrifice tyre width for proper mudguard coverage in winter but fully accept that YMMV on this.

webboo

I am loathe to say this as I don’t like doing it myself but here goes. Why don’t you put your bike upside down and spin the wheels to see where the mudguards rub.

lettingthedaysgoby

I had a pair of raceblade xl’s on my Cube Attain last winter. They’re good, but have their limitations.

- very easy to setup and adjust, once you’ve done that it’s literally seconds to take them on and off
- tyre clearance is huge, I was running 28mm GP4000’s (that came up around 31mm on my rims) with loads of room
- while they do an excellent job of keeping you dry, they’re rubbish at keeping muck off the bike. Your BB area will still get covered in crud, as will the headtube and general frontal area.

I’ve ditched them this season as Cube finally brought out the Attain specific full length guards and the difference is huge. My advice would be to put a pair of 25mm 4 Seasons on and buy some proper full length guards. Take the time to get them fitting right, then don’t worry about taking them off again until spring. You and your bike will be a lot cleaner for it.

ayjaycee

Svetty wrote:

ayjaycee wrote:

What bike are you trying to fit them to - disk or rim brakes and, if the latter, what ones?

It may well be that the combination of your bike and 28mm tyres makes the tolerances too fine for most brands of mudguard. I'd personally sacrifice tyre width for proper mudguard coverage in winter but fully accept that YMMV on this.

I suspect this pre-empts my next post on this issue!

ayjaycee

Webboo wrote:

I am loathe to say this as I don’t like doing it myself..........

Why not? If you are worried about scuffing the saddle or hoods, do it indoors or put something on the ground first!

darkhairedlord

Use a work-stand.
I would also check the edges of the guards don't touch the inside of the fork legs or the seat stays. I had this problem on my old trek and they scuffed through the paint and into the carbon, very lucky the rain didn't destroy the fork.

ayjaycee

darkhairedlord wrote:

Use a work-stand

I have and it sounds like you have but not everybody has that luxury. In any event, sometimes, it's just easier to turn the thing upside down. It's only a bike after all and it won't know the difference.

Jayme

I have raceblade pro xls on my CX bike. Massive amount of clearance (I'm running 35s, even though it says max is 32), no rub. As others have said, the bike still gets a bit dirty, but I'm clean and dry and really that's all I care about. I give the bike a quick wipe down when I get home.

lettingthedaysgoby

darkhairedlord wrote:

very lucky the rain didn't destroy the fork.

Eh?

bungle73

What bike are you trying to fit them to - disk or rim brakes and, if the latter, what ones?

Mango Point R, which is supposed to have clearance for mudguards with tyres up to 28 mm. Rim brakes.

I am loathe to say this as I don’t like doing it myself but here goes. Why don’t you put your bike upside down and spin the wheels to see where the mudguards rub.

I've already got it in a stand.

My advice would be to put a pair of 25mm 4 Seasons on and buy some proper full length guards. Take the time to get them fitting right, then don’t worry about taking them off again until spring. You and your bike will be a lot cleaner for it.

But that woukd mean ditching a pefectly good pair of tyres, and spending a ton on new ones.

Use a work-stand.
I would also check the edges of the guards don't touch the inside of the fork legs or the seat stays. I had this problem on my old trek and they scuffed through the paint and into the carbon, very lucky the rain didn't destroy the fork.

[/quote]

I've already been looking and I can't see where it is rubbing.

If I get the SKS's I guess it means I'll have to hose down the bike after every ride, which would a bit of pita because they outside tap is wrapped up for winter.

I can't find any better options......

bungle73

delete.

lettingthedaysgoby

Bungle73 wrote:

But that woukd mean ditching a pefectly good pair of tyres, and spending a ton on new ones.

I can't find any better options......

Well no, you don’t have to “ditch” them, just take them off and save them for when the weather gets better.

As for better options, get full length guards.

lettingthedaysgoby

Bungle73 wrote:

FFS the quote system here does not work properly. There is no error in the way I composed that. Next time I'll stick to replying to each comment individually. Why this forum has no multi quote option like every other forum does I have absolutely no idea.

For once I agree with you, yes, the forum software is hopelessly out of date.You need to edit the quote tags manually.

ayjaycee

I don't know anything about Mango bikes but some rim brakes have more clearance than others. I have recent experience with Tiagra 4600, 105 5800 and Ultegra 6800 brakes - the 105s have most clearance of the three. In the end, you might just have to bite the bullet and drop down a tyre size. Yes, it will cost more money but as Confucius once said life's a b1tch and then you die

bungle73

lettingthedaysgoby wrote:

Bungle73 wrote:

But that woukd mean ditching a pefectly good pair of tyres, and spending a ton on new ones.

I can't find any better options......

Well no, you don’t have to “ditch” them, just take them off and save them for when the weather gets better.

As for better options, get full length guards.

I've already tried normal mudguards and they won't fit. And I change to summer tyres in the summer.

bungle73

ayjaycee wrote:

I don't know anything about Mango bikes but some rim brakes have more clearance than others. I have recent experience with Tiagra 4600, 105 5800 and Ultegra 6800 brakes - the 105s have most clearance of the three. In the end, you might just have to bite the bullet and drop down a tyre size. Yes, it will cost more money but as Confucius once said life's a b1tch and then you die

The brakes aren't the issue. They are long drop anyway. They have plenty of space.

bungle73

I guess I have two choices: buy different tyres, or buy the SKS's and hose down the bike after every ride.

I still want to know why I can't get them to stop rubbing now when I managed it last year. The only change to the bike in that area are the wheels, if that makes any difference.