Full Guards or Clip-ons Poll

[HLaB]

Its that time of year again and I ask my self the same question every year. Do I fit full guards to my Kinesis and leave them on for a few months or fit clip ons (like crud road guards) and taking them on and off as necessary?

 

[MattHB]

full on the CX commuter, and race blades on the roadie

 

[potsy]

full on the CX commuter, and race blades on the roadie

Same as Matt, though the clip ons tend to stay on full time unless there's as almost guaranteed weeks dry weather
Full guards give much better protection though, if I could get a set on the Secteur then I would.

 

[biggs682]

normally prefer and fit full traditional gaurds , but next build has a set of crud race blades ready to go on

 

[MattHB]

normally prefer and fit full traditional gaurds , but next build has a set of crud race blades ready to go on

I really rate them. I know a lot favour the fuller option, but they seem to gum up with mud quite fast and sound like a milk float to follow behind them. I know raceblades dont drop as far down as the road races, but they do do a very good job and can be taken off/put on in seconds.

 

[endoman]

Got Crud Road Racer 2's on mine now until clocks change, much nicer for anyone you are riding with, and easier to clean the bike.

 

[Andrew_P]

Raceblade Longs, almost 100% coverage (only the bottom half of seat post is not full cover) and less than 5 minutes to put on and take off (as long as you do not mind leaving the QR set up in place.

 

[cyberknight]

Got Crud Road Racer 2's on mine now until clocks change, much nicer for anyone you are riding with, and easier to clean the bike.

+1
Although i leave the cruds on the commuter/winter bike all year round.

 

[Sittingduck]

If you have clearance for full guards, I'd fit and forget, until April. Taking them on and off depending on the forecast sounds like a hassle.

 

[MattHB]

Raceblade Longs, almost 100% coverage (only the bottom half of seat post is not full cover) and less than 5 minutes to put on and take off (as long as you do not mind leaving the QR set up in place.

View attachment 14712

wow not seen these, they look cool

 

[David king of Mercia]

For me the biggest question is not whether to have full guards or not, but why is it not possible to get coloured ones any more. There was a time when you could get any colour you like but nowdays it seems you can only get black or silver.

 

[400bhp]

How are cruds convenient?

They're a real PITA to remove/refit.

Convenient to me means a couple of minutes max removal/refit. SKS raceblades fit that bill but not cruds.

Or am I missing something?

 

[potsy]

Though it pains me I have to agree with 400bhp, almost as quick to take full guards off than the cruds I would have thought?
Anyway, I think the panel has spoken Hlab

 

[HLaB]

Thanks folk. Its my first winter down south so I'm unsure how much I'll need the guards but I think the full guards I have (partially cracked) will go back on tomorrow or the next night and if they break again (my last three sets have) and I haven't actually needed them much, I'll consider the Race Blades Longs
What I might have to do this time is use less grease, my brakes always rotate for the first few weeks after I've rehung the mud guard bracket

 

[fossyant]

SKS Chromo's All Year round - but I have a dedicated commuter. That said I used to fit them on my road bike for winter/commutes. Once set up, they are fairly quick to remove and re-set the brakes.

Just put on full guards on the MTB for winter - they will be on till the risk of ice has gone.