Mudguards or not?

[DrSquirrel]

Dunno where you ride, but on CS7, it's hard not to be behind someone else a lot of the time, even if you're coming up to overtake.

Take the full lane to overtake, then it won't be a problem.

If a car is in the lane then don't try and overtake within the cycle lane part.

After all the bike in front is traffic and you should wait behind until its safe to pass no matter how impatient you might be... (I reckon some people on bikes are turning into what a lot of car drivers are, impatient to pass).

 

[asterix]

When cycling in the Pyrennees (any of you lot commute round there?) with a bunch, 3 of us had guards out of 18 (I'd a small saddlebag too, just to show 'em) and every day it rained, snow, even. Mudguards give you a huge advantage when cycling fast down a mountain that's running with water.

 

[twowheelsgood]

Totally beyond me why anyone with only a single bike and who doesn’t use it competitively would not want mudguards in the UK or buy something that couldn’t, if necessary take them.



The performance difference for most people on normal streets between a randonneur type bike and a road bike is minimal. I fitted my SKSs 6 years ago and have had no issues or adjustments since.



I have a Trek road bike but 90% of the time take my mudguarded Kaffenback.

 

[Howard]

Totally beyond me why anyone with only a single bike and who doesn’t use it competitively would not want mudguards in the UK or buy something that couldn’t, if necessary take them.

+1. Even if you do use a road bike at semi-competitive level you can't go wrong with crud roadracers or SKS raceguards it seems.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I ride in an area with pretty predictable weather, and where not a lot of other people ride, so my only real concern is for how wet or muddy I get. So I just have one removable back mudguard, which I only put on whichever bike I am using when it is possibly going to rain. Otherwise, I never bother, except when I am on the Brompton which, being properly British, has them built in.

 

[hambones]

I don't have them on any of my bikes for the simple reason that it doesn't actually rain that much on my commutes (25 or so times in 2 1/2 years). The odd occasion it has rained whilst out at other times it really isn't the greatest hardship in the world to endure a little water!

 

[Howard]

I don't have them on any of my bikes for the simple reason that it doesn't actually rain that much on my commutes (25 or so times in 2 1/2 years). The odd occasion it has rained whilst out at other times it really isn't the greatest hardship in the world to endure a little water!

True, but what's the point in enduring it needlessly? Wet pants and socks are just rubbish. My 'guards were a revelation - even in pouring rain a light rain jacket + guards seems to be all you need to stay dry enough to be comfortable.

 

[Sittingduck]

I was looking very closely at Crud road racer guards. Look they would offer slightly more protection than Race Blades. I believe cables ties are used though and are more fiddly to get on/off versus the Race Blades. They look nicer and arfe a bit cheaper though... decisions, decisions...

 

[Moodyman]

It's not just the back and wet socks that you avoid, full guards protect your bike's drivetrain and front mech. I was foreever deep cleaning my commmuter. Now, with full SKS, I only lube the chain weekly and wipe the bike down once every few weeks

 

[Howard]

I was looking very closely at Crud road racer guards. Look they would offer slightly more protection than Race Blades. I believe cables ties are used though and are more fiddly to get on/off versus the Race Blades. They look nicer and arfe a bit cheaper though... decisions, decisions...

The cable ties are of the releasable type. But why would you want to take the guards off?

Unlike SKS they protect your calipers and the MKII version of the rear guard protects the front Mech. If you have them, that is - mine are attached to hub geared, disc braked tank.

 

[Chutzpah]

I have Crud Catcher guards on my MTB and noticed people using varying heights on the rear guard. I installed mine as close to the tyre as I could get away with, but I've seen loads of people with it quite a lot higher.

Anyone else experimented and found the perfect position?

(p.s. went out once without in heavy rain. Went to the bike shop the next day to buy mine.... Wouldn't be without them).

 

[Bromptonaut]

I never bother, except when I am on the Brompton which, being properly British, has them built in.

Amazing thing with the B is the difference the rear rubber sprayflap makes. They were an innovation with the Mk3 - those of us with late Mk2's did not regard the 'skunk stripe' as a badge of honour. An early retro fit was essential!!

 

[addictfreak]

Im lucky enough to have two road bikes, I use both of them during the summer months. During the winter my 'good bike' is safely tucked up until daylight returns.
The crud catchers go on my second bike, and what a difference they make. Not only to me, but also the cleanliness of the bike.
Only started using guards last year, but wouldnt be without them now.

 

[mike-L]

I use them with 25s...
I had trouble when I fitted them but was pointed at this vid and after following that, no problems, no rubbing. Like the mark 2s though - a lot more coverage so I may upgrade.

I've struggled to get my Cruds fitted correctly,just so tight to the tyre and brakes that they are rubbing after the slightest bump in the road,have gone back to the Raceblades and have just kept the extra bit from the MKII's that protect the front mech(cable tied on) seems to work OK.
Maybe the Durano+ tyres are a bit chunkier than other 23's

 

[DrSquirrel]

I have Crud Catcher guards on my MTB and noticed people using varying heights on the rear guard. I installed mine as close to the tyre as I could get away with, but I've seen loads of people with it quite a lot higher.

Anyone else experimented and found the perfect position?

(p.s. went out once without in heavy rain. Went to the bike shop the next day to buy mine.... Wouldn't be without them).

I kept mine quite high on the MTB - that is mainly so you avoid getting clumps of mud jammed up in a small clearance.

If you're using it on the road of course - close as possible.

I had (I say had as the new MTB has a rack on it) exactly the same guard as the Crud but it wasn't branded as such and cost well under half the price.