How much difference do mudguard mounts make?

[Happy_Days]

All things being equal between similar bikes, how much would you value a bike having mudguard mounts?

My winter base training is outdoors, so I’m regularly riding in the rain. But I’ve only used clip-on mudguards (they work OK, but not brilliantly) until now.

Needless to say, I’m not looking for a new bike solely for mudguard reasons!

 

[ColinJ]

I have a bike dedicated to winter and bad weather conditions, so for that one - VERY important!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Living in Scotland, I wouldn't buy a bike without mudguards, never mind the bike not even having mounts!
It would be a definite no from me.
I suppose, even if you don't live in Scotland, but ride with a group in winter, you'd be more popular if you have proper mudguards fitted.

 

[Oldhippy]

Mudguards always on my tourer. Personally I'd never have a bike without them.

 

[DCLane]

I run a couple of bikes which don't have mudguard mounts across winter - either with Raceblade Long or Flinger Race Pro mudguards, both of which clip on and are long.

 

[annedonnelly]

I would always fit mudguards if the bike didn't already have them. I'm not convinced that I'd like the clip-on sort.

 

[VinSumRox]

If you want mudguards, then quite important.

 

[wafter]

I've never tried to fit guards to a bike that didn't want them, however run bolt-on guards on my gravel and commuter bikes.

I'd never want to be without guards on anything other than a balls-out MTB or sunny-day road bike. Those I'm using (SKS Longboards) have generally been excellent over 12k combined mileage, which makes the fact SKS have discontinued them even more irritating. Knobbers.

So, guards essential for most tasks IMO and I suspect that you're going to get a better experience if nailing them to a bike that was intended to accept them.. so it makes sense to take this route.

 

[Seevio]

Dunno if this was a hypothetical post but all things being equal, go for the one with mudguard mounts every time.

Unless the one without mounts looks really cool.

 

[a.twiddler]

The very idea! Mudguard mounts, or preferably mudguards already fitted, aren't just some airy fairy option. For those who ride in the real world they're essential. Even for some super lightweight road razor the presence of mudguard mounts makes it more versatile once it's no longer cutting edge, as a winter bike some years down the line.