Mudguards & Bar Ends/grips

[Plax]

I'm in the market for some mudguards & bar ends (possibly also replacing the grips).

Just bought a Carrera Vulcan V spec mountain bike. It has front suspension (Suntour XCM) and 26 x 2.1 tyres. I'm a novice to all things MTB so some recs on what mudguards I can buy for these size tyres with suspension would be appreciated. There is a bridge across the forks with a hole so looks like you can screw something to them at least, or would I be better off with something like a "croozer" or "crud catcher" that attaches to the down tube?

As for bar ends, I'm looking for a decent pair that will also minimise vibrations through my hands - do you get anything like this i.e. gel/spongy covered bar ends or grips? Or is it a case of buying a pair of decent gel gloves?

Ta very muchly

 

[AWG]

Halfords do a double deal discount on the mud/water catchers (£16.99 if I remember rightly). I can verify that they do the job excellently on an MTB. Evans cycles were doing some good gloves (mitts) online recently. I did full mudguards on a Raleigh Limited Edition Suntour MTB around 1990 but I found they bent easily and caught the tyres and also worked loose easily when used over real rough/rocky terrain.

I just have full mudguards now on a Claud Butler hybrid tourer (but that's not MTB).

Regards

 

[GrumpyGregry]

My 2 penneth worth

you won't go far wrong with crud guards/raceguards or someone other brands version. crudguard is a bit like 'hoover' these days. You don't want any sort of full mudguard on her is you're going to ride off road on anything more serious than a canal tow path or dedicated cycle path.

Take a look at Specialized BG (Body Geometry) gloves - they come in a range of prices depending on spec. and stick some cheap bar ends on her - bikehut ones are ok. Bar ends are great to help you climb off road, and good for providing alternative hand holds when riding on road. Then ride like that for a while to see if you ride over stuff that needs more forgiving grips ( and remeber WD40 to get the old grips off (squirt it with the red tube between grip and bar) and hairspray - yes seriously - to put the new ones on; it acts as a lube to let you slide the grip on and then dries to hold the grip fast. slipping grips can be dangerous

Most of all - just get out and ride, enjoy your local countryside, find out where that bridleway goes (OS maps are good) but don't be disappointed if things break, fail or wear out. fact of life with an MTB that actually gets used.

 

[Plax]

Cheers for the replies. Some friends have very kindly borrowed me a book and CD on MTB'ing, the CD covers many of the MTB trails in Snowdonia, where I'm very fortunate to live so I'm quite looking forward to having a play.

I think a crud catcher for the front is certainly the way to go, aformentioned friends had one on their tandem on todays ride and say it's really good.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

snowdonia? eek! real mountains and entry level MTB's usually mean one of two outcomes; knackered rider or knackered bike. Go steady and make sure your brakes are well adjusted!

 

[Plax]

snowdonia? eek! real mountains and entry level MTB's usually mean one of two outcomes; knackered rider or knackered bike. Go steady and make sure your brakes are well adjusted!

Oh yea of little faith

I don't think I'll go on the Marin Trail just yet as it's single track and they're all nutters apparently. I've been informed that Beddgelert Forest is okay, so I'll probably take a trip out there first.

 

[Plax]

I'm still in the market for both if anyone has any suggestions.

However the reason I'm reviving this thread - I'm looking at changing the bar tape on my tourer and was wondering if anyone has ever taped their bar ends with bar tape to try and provide more "padding"? Thought I might save the old bar tape and have a go if it works.

PS GrumpyGreg - been out MTBing twice now and it's great fun. Bike seems to be more than adequate (but then I've never had a MTB before so I've nothing to compare it to ). First time was round Beddgelert forest which was a bit basic, although I did find a green route which was more fun. Today I actually went up a mountain which was even more fun - I caught myself a few times giggling in delight (and probably grinning manically) on the decents.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

plax - you've escaped the dark side. well done. those mountains now will draw you in and tempt you to feats of off road genius that today you think are impossible; you will become one of the nutters on the singletrack...

...MTB'ing is as addictive as crack but crack is a cheaper hobby.

and I stand by my suggestions crud guards, some cheap bar ends, and spesh gel cloves