Mudguards

[Big Jim]

Just been speaking to my brother on Skype and he suggested getting mudguards for my Giant Seek 1 in case of rain, etc, for when we do our 5 day tour in September.

Question is, are these invaluable? Do they make a difference? Am I a fool if I don't? If they're important, why don't they come already fitted, etc.

thanks for the advice.

 

[Davidc]

They make a huge difference, and add a tiny bit of air resistance.

Not fitted because they aren't fashionable.

Entirely personal choice unless you're with a club or in an Audax.

Only ever use good quality ones with top class stays and fixings with automatic release for if anything gets caught. Cheap ones will rattle, fall off, break or do something else nasty.

 

[Aushiker]

Another vote here for mudguards and I live in dry Western Australia I have them fitted to my Surly Long Haul Trucker and my Kinesis Racelight Granfondo Ltd.

The ones fitted to the Surly Long Haul Trucker are SKS Chromoplastics (above) and the ones fitted to the Kinesis Racelight Granfondo Ltd are Crud Roadracer Mk2 guards (see below):

Regards
Andrew

 

[Big Jim]

cool thanks.

So get this totally correct, there purpose if to prevent crude flying up onto you if it's raining?
But downside is that they can give you a bit of drag?

 

[Aushiker]

So get this totally correct, there purpose if to prevent crude flying up onto you if it's raining?

Yep and on to the drive chain. Helps keeps things that bit cleaner.

But downside is that they can give you a bit of drag?

Probably. In all honestly I can't tell if they are having an effect or not.

Andrew

 

[sabian92]

A rack does the same job. I've got a rear rack fitted and the bottom of it is covered in crap from the road, although rather that than looking like i've shoot myself...

 

[tyred]

Can't understand why you wouldn't fit mudguards to bike.

 

[Big Jim]

A rack does the same job. I've got a rear rack fitted and the bottom of it is covered in crap from the road, although rather that than looking like i've shoot myself...

yeah I have a rear pannier rack. Was wondering that. I have some ortlieb panniers, so they'll get a load of the cr@p also - but look like they can deal with it. maybe I should go for a ride in rain and see how I get on.

I just don't quite understand why they're not fitted as standard on a commuting bike like mine. you'd think when you're going to work that's exactly the time you won't want to get covered in crud.

 

[Amanda P]

As DavidC says, they're not fashionable. Also, by not making them part of the spec of the standard bike, retailers can get you to spend more money by either offering them as an extra-cost option when you buy the bike, or fitting them for you later when you realise you really do need them after all.

A rack will keep some of the muck off your back and backside, but not all of it. It also won't stop it spraying in the face of anyone who comes up behind you or rides with you, and it'll do almost nothing to keep all the muck out of your transmission. For that you want a pair of mudguards, the longer the better. That stops crud spraying up off the front wheel onto your feet and chainrings. Well, some of it anyway.

Imagine if you bought a car and then found out that lights were an optional extra, and you had to bolt them on yourself. Oh, and the boot costs extra too. And so does the roof....

 

[Moodyman]

Mudguards are great in very cold weather (under 5C).

The front tyre, as it spins, creates an airflow around it. Without mudguards, this airflow goes straight into the line of pedals and freezes your toes.

 

[Big Jim]

As DavidC says, they're not fashionable. Also, by not making them part of the spec of the standard bike, retailers can get you to spend more money by either offering them as an extra-cost option when you buy the bike, or fitting them for you later when you realise you really do need them after all.

A rack will keep some of the muck off your back and backside, but not all of it. It also won't stop it spraying in the face of anyone who comes up behind you or rides with you, and it'll do almost nothing to keep all the muck out of your transmission. For that you want a pair of mudguards, the longer the better. That stops crud spraying up off the front wheel onto your feet and chainrings. Well, some of it anyway.

Imagine if you bought a car and then found out that lights were an optional extra, and you had to bolt them on yourself. Oh, and the boot costs extra too. And so does the roof....

I see the point. When I was a kid they were bog standard. Will see what my local Giant store recommends for my bike.

thanks for the advice.

 

[cyberknight]

A rack does the same job. I've got a rear rack fitted and the bottom of it is covered in crap from the road, although rather that than looking like i've shoot myself...

A rack helps but you still get crud coating the seat tube and front mech , i recently upgraded to crud mk 2 and its amazing how clean the drive train is compared to when i ran the mk1`s.
I think that for commuting/ulilty riding they are an essential piece of kit as they keep you and your bike in better condition.

 

[Big Jim]

I will def have a pop down to Giant to see what they can fit for me I think. Sounds like it's a good move to get one fitted.

 

[willem]

And get long ones. The longer the better. Gilles Berthoud do old French style long ones and they are very good. SKS now also have long 45 mm ones. And fit a (long and low) mud flap. It will make a big difference to your feet and your drive train.
Willem

 

[172traindriver]

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

Summer bikes