Mudguards

[MrJamie]

The Giant branded ones (the 40-60mm ish range) youd probably need for the Seek are imho not nearly as good as SKS Chromoplastics and i wish id bought the latter for about the same price. Not only is the fitting awful, but they seem a tiny bit on the short side. After a wet ride on Sunday my back was soaked from puddles as were my shins, so i might still change.

In general ive found Giant accessories to be very poor, although the bikes seem great.

 

[rollinstok]

They are a necessity if the bike has to be used for commuting, and also if you go on group rides/tours out of courtesy for those behind you
I do neither and have'nt bothered with mudguards. The rack saves a stripe up my arse/back if a downpour occurs.

 

[Big Jim]

Am pretty convinced I need to do this now. Forums are great for getting good honest advice from people who know and have tried various things. I mean by the time you get to the end of a thread, you get a great idea. Amazing how useful the internet is. What did we used to do before it?

Thus far I haven't bought any Giant accessories, but think it's worth a trip down the shop (as it's literally less than a mile away) to see what they do in terms of range. I'll def write down the names of the ones I've seen on this thread. If nothing else, they're very helpfull with regards to pointing out where I fit the various bits too. I think they also would order other makes in and fit themselves if needs be.

 

[Big Jim]

Mudguards are a personal preference thing. I have SKS full length guards on the winter bike and wouldn't go out without them. They are invaluable for keeping you and your rear end dry, protecting your drive train and keeping people who are behind you from getting covered in crud etc.
There is nothing worse than being out with a group and following people that have no guards fitted, I have come home and you would have thought I had been doing cyclo cross instead of a road ride. By the way don't forget they don't stop everything and a percentage of the spray still finds its way onto you and others, but that is better than no protection.
As you are touring in September the weather can be indifferent but that could be said about our weather at any tine though!!!!!
I don't think you could make anything about resistance and drag you are touring, not racing and looking for 'Marginal Gains'.
There is the apperance factor, you want your best bike to look the part whereas in winter it is about keeping your fitness up going steadily.

Winter bike

View attachment 9022

Summer bikes

View attachment 9023

View attachment 9024

I have a Carrera Hybrid as a bike I leave at the gym or whilst out shopping,etc. Am amazed at how good it is for how much I paid.

Thanks for the pics. They're pretty neat

 

[lpretro1]

Watch out with the Crud guards - they are fine on some bikes and just do not fit others!

 

[Big Jim]

Watch out with the Crud guards - they are fine on some bikes and just do not fit others!

ok thanks for the warning, will check out with Giant.

Love the name "Crud guards" though.

 

[dellzeqq]

mudguards are an abomination reserved for the feeble

 

[Andrew_P]

mudguards are an abomination reserved for the feeble

I was very much in this camp until last month, day after day of arriving at work soaked to the skin and covered in debris I fitted some SKS Raceblade longs, which I really do think are a genius idea for road bikes, much better than the Cruds and easier to fit and take off.

Bike now looks like a Grandad's Bike though, so I am still in the dellzeqq camp but with a dry backside and feet...

 

[snorri]

A bicycle without mudguards is just so wrong.

 

[BigTam]

Just fitted SKS P45's to my Boardman Hybrid Pro, the dogs dangly bits

 

[Big Jim]

mudguards are an abomination reserved for the feeble

pmsl

 

[dodgy]

Mudguards are a personal preference thing. I have SKS full length guards on the winter bike and wouldn't go out without them. They are invaluable for keeping you and your rear end dry, protecting your drive train and keeping people who are behind you from getting covered in crud etc.


View attachment 9022

I doubt if those mudguards are protecting any following riders that much, you'd need a mudflap extension to do that, ditto for your front wheel to protect your feet/drive train.

 

[Iainj837]

I have mudguards on both my bikes and wouldn't be without them.
I have a Dawes KaraKum tourer which come with them fitted as standard.
I also have a Giant Defy 1 and that also has mudguards, which I had fitted when I bought the Defy and you can not tell they are on there unless you stand very close to the bike.

 

[Andrew_P]

My R

oubaix with Raceblade Longs

 

[Big Jim]

My R View attachment 9159 oubaix with Raceblade Longs

smart looking bike. I do like Specialized bikes. I have a Rockhopper as my MTB.

Will pop down to the local Giant shop I think to see what they have when I get a chance (and am not in hospital with the boy).

thank for all the advice though everyone. I think on balance, if they're cheap enough and won't set me back too much I'll go for it.