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.

 

[Anthony-C]

Zip ties were made for bikes: light, strong, slightly elastic, hand tool friendly, inexpensive, versatile. When installing MTB mudguards they were easier than finding the right moulded parts and having a bit of give they're probably stronger too.

 

[si_c]

All three of my road bikes have mudguard mounts. Two of them have mudguards fitted year round - only noticeable by their absence, even light rain can benefit from mudguards. Good full length mudguards can be fitted or removed in under 5 minutes.

I don't look only for bikes which can take full mudguards, but I do find them useful. Make of that what you will.

 

[Punkawallah]

There is always the ‘fetish’ effect (not that one!), such as fixing mudguards to ensure you don’t need them. I have an expensive (for me) rain jacket that I never need when I take it with me. I have ‘quick-fix’ mudguards that go on the hack for each winter, and come off mid spring, even though it has the appropriate fixing points.
As a rule I’d fit mudguards to commuter bikes because you need to stay less spattered with road muck. Anything else would depend on how often you want to clean the bike.

 

[wafter]

As a rule I’d fit mudguards to commuter bikes because you need to stay less spattered with road muck. Anything else would depend on how often you want to clean the bike.

"I think I'll leave the guards off, as I do love cleaning the bike" said no-one, ever

 

[esoxlucius]

I've never had proper mounts on any bike I've had and up until a few years ago I didn't even own any of the clip on variety either. I was proper hardcore and if I was cycling in crappy weather and on crappy roads, then I got pebble dashed every which way, until I realised what a fool I was being, lol.

I purchased some raceblade clip ons a few years ago and never looked back. Easy and quick to fit and they don't budge one bit during a ride.