Mud Guards.. Full or Half.

[youngoldbloke]

This is what you need

 

[andrew_s]

Full, plus big flaps.
The rear is similar to youngoldbloke's, but better in that it's made of a retroreflective sticker that I found by the side of the road (presumably fallen off the back of a lorry, in the literal sense).

Not mentioned so far is that it's good to have a decent length in front of the fork crown, enough so that it's started on the downward curve by the end.
Water comes off the wheel on a tangent, and if the mudguard ends before the top of the wheel, that tangent is upwards, with the result that you will (depending on speed and wind) get your own spray blown back in your face, or at least over your hands and sleeves.

My experience of group riding would lead me to believe that Ajax Bay's back of the envelope distances are considerably too short. I've been hit by spray from the lead rider when I've been 3rd in line, with the spray going clear over the top of the intervening rider.

 

[Profpointy]

The best was of deciding is to re-formulate the question as "do I want a wet arse?" Once you've answered this rephrased question, the mudguard answer is straightforward

 

[Ajax Bay]

I've been hit by spray from the lead rider when I've been 3rd in line, with the spray going clear over the top of the intervening rider.

Lead rider with mudguards on? I assume not. Must admit my calculations didn't consider guards which stopped higher than the wheel axle and I can see that spray heading straight up or even 45 degrees forward from an unguarded rear wheel would achieve a very decent trajectory. The 3+m was flippant (please take an emphasis on the "+").

 

[crazyjoe101]

Echoing what other have said - full & more. I've stapled cut outs from the backing of bacon packaging to mine to extend the coverage until I happen across some HGV inner tube by the roadside because that is supposed to be the ultimate in DIY mudflap material. It sounds ridiculous but it works and so it isn't.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Full mudguards really take the hard work out of looking after a bike. And the bikes last longer and their resale price can be higher.

Slight sideline but when I started Audax (only a year ago) I assumed it was one of the polite, friendly ethics the body is renowned for. Being considerate to other riders.

But this weekend the organiser mentioned on his brief that it is also about being considerate to the owners and staff of cafés and pubs. Who wants stained upholstery and furniture from troops of muddy riders? That’s a good enough reason isn’t it?

 

[crazyjoe101]

View attachment 380860 This is what you need

I just saw your picture having already posted. I went for the more classic version:

Spoiler

 

[youngoldbloke]

I use those flexible plastickitchen cutting boards to make flaps. Strong, flexible but not floppy, and a range of bright colours, saw some on sale in Lidl today. There was a CC thread not long ago - 'Mudguards on the clubrun' maybe?

 

[crazyjoe101]

I use those flexible plastickitchen cutting boards to make flaps. Strong, flexible but not floppy, and a range of bright colours, saw some on sale in Lidl today. There was a CC thread not long ago - 'Mudguards on the clubrun' maybe?

Interesting, I might got and have a look. I normally have to replace my makeshift bacon packaging ones around once a year after they have snapped too much but I have read on certain blogs etc. that inner tube from something like a lorry is perfect because it bends but not enough to lose shape.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Sorry to drag this posting up, but I'd referenced it elsewhere (& had re-read it)


1.

until I happen across some HGV inner tube by the roadside because that is supposed to be the ultimate in DIY mudflap material.

You'll be looking for a long time, as essentially all trucks are on tubeless now
It may be worthwhile calling into a commercial tyre-fitters, particularly if they deal with plant, or agricultural machinery, as I suspect they'll be the only users now??


2. These aren't cheap, but nevertheless I bought a pair for my CGR, when it was new
https://rawmudflap.uk/product/ref-black-stealth-mudflap/
They place reflective material low, where it's going to be easily activated/illuminated by vehicle headlamps
I added to mine, by bolting a trailer (corner marker) reflector to the rear



Market Cross
Aberford

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

There's all sorts of discarded plastic/rubbery stuff that can be made to do the job if you aren't too proud to raid a skip or pick something up off the side of the road.. Builders DPC membrane is especially good, IMHO, and best of all you don't have to pay for it!. Essentially it needs to be flexible enough to have a slight curve in it to follow the mudguard profile when installed, but not so flexible the wind/spray can blow it horizontal, so render it ineffective.
Other free options include bits of roadworks signs (the sort that roll up and are mounted on tripods), or a section cut out of the side of a plastic lemonade or coke bottle. Loads of stuff lying around just waiting to be re-purposed by the ingenious and frugal of wallet.

 

[Pale Rider]

My front mudflap is a cut down ready meal tray.

It's only held on with bodge tape, but has been on there for more than two years, and it looks reasonably neat - from a distance.

 

[si_c]

I use Kinesis Fend-Off mudguards at present, excellent metal things that keep me and the bike clean and dry.

The long flaps are cut from the plastic packaging they came with... The template was outlined already, all I needed was scissors. Quite ingenious imo.

 

[Blue Hills]

Can some kind soul tell this pretty unhandy bod how to fasten/staple or whatever these scavenged materials to the guard so that the fix is effective and the guard not damaged/degraded? Do you need some specialist stapling device or whatever?
Whilst we are on guards, do make sure folks (advice is above I think but needs stressing) that you use ones with a front guard safety release.
SKS ones work very well, as i was reminded the other day on a debris littered Bowland downhill.

 

[Venod]

The only mudguards I fit nowadays are SKS longboards, full coverage and decent flaps, you can get them cheaper than Spa.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mudguards/700-x-45-sks-longboard-mudguard-set-700c-black/