D
Deleted member 1258
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I nearly always ride with mudguards, both my commuter and my best bike have full mudguards fitted.
Mudguards
- Thread starter MoG
- Start date
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KingstonBiker
Active Member
I commute all year round on a road bike with no mudguards. There are fewer wet days than you might imagine (especially in the south east). I have bought a slip over waterproof cover for my ruck sack but have only needed to use it once this year.
I appreciate that if I cycled where there were lots of other cyclists that spray might be a bit antisocial so I might reconsider. On my commute there aren't many cyclists that can stay on my back wheel
I appreciate that if I cycled where there were lots of other cyclists that spray might be a bit antisocial so I might reconsider. On my commute there aren't many cyclists that can stay on my back wheel
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Full SKS guards on the commuter all year. Keeps ass and feet dry. It rains in Manchester
I don't own a bicycle with mudguards.
In the winter bikes get wet and dirty and gritty. Mudguards just seem to make it harder to get to some of the bits I need to clean.
My commuter is a Simoncini road bike. No guards.
My silly (fun) bike is an ancient steel roadbike fixed-gear conversion. No guards.
My hardtail MTB is too dirty for me to guess what it is, but it has no guards. It says Pace on it, which is not true when I'm riding it.
If I look deep into my empty soul, I think I detect a feeling that proper bicycles don't have mudguards. But that might be an inaccurate reading of my motives.
In truth, I often wonder why anyone would fit them.
Also, being slightly dim and lacking curiosity I'm not even sure how I'd fit them if I wanted them or what size, colour or style I'd need.
I hope the above gives a conclusive answer to your question.
In the winter bikes get wet and dirty and gritty. Mudguards just seem to make it harder to get to some of the bits I need to clean.
My commuter is a Simoncini road bike. No guards.
My silly (fun) bike is an ancient steel roadbike fixed-gear conversion. No guards.
My hardtail MTB is too dirty for me to guess what it is, but it has no guards. It says Pace on it, which is not true when I'm riding it.
If I look deep into my empty soul, I think I detect a feeling that proper bicycles don't have mudguards. But that might be an inaccurate reading of my motives.
In truth, I often wonder why anyone would fit them.
Also, being slightly dim and lacking curiosity I'm not even sure how I'd fit them if I wanted them or what size, colour or style I'd need.
I hope the above gives a conclusive answer to your question.
MGBLemonrider
Active Member
- Location
- Stevenage, Herts
They mean I don't have to faff about with my overshoes unless it's properly raining.
Feet will get properly wet just from road spray on some surfaces quite quickly. I could buy more waterproof shoes, but I only have the one pair MT41s which are ventilated. They still get quite sweaty, but will dry out before the trip home. But sodden shoes take more than 1/2 a day to dry out, and there's not much that more unpleasant than putting on cold wet shoes.
My Caradice SQR bag acted as a reasonable rear guard, so my main benefit is from the front.
I did my first year without guards, now they're on they're staying on year round.
Feet will get properly wet just from road spray on some surfaces quite quickly. I could buy more waterproof shoes, but I only have the one pair MT41s which are ventilated. They still get quite sweaty, but will dry out before the trip home. But sodden shoes take more than 1/2 a day to dry out, and there's not much that more unpleasant than putting on cold wet shoes.
My Caradice SQR bag acted as a reasonable rear guard, so my main benefit is from the front.
I did my first year without guards, now they're on they're staying on year round.
Unless you're actually racing, I can't think of a single reason not to have mudguards. For all these "spoils the look" brigade, do you buy a bike to look at or to ride? I've always found them fit and forget items, they keep me clean, bike clean, chain clean, what's not to like?
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Bromtpon - Yes (factory fitted).
Surly Long Haul Trucker - Yes (SKS P50)
Giant SCR2.0 - Yes (SKS P35)
I'd sooner not spray cow shite up my back as I ride around Cheshire.
Surly Long Haul Trucker - Yes (SKS P50)
Giant SCR2.0 - Yes (SKS P35)
I'd sooner not spray cow shite up my back as I ride around Cheshire.
threebikesmcginty
Corn Fed Hick...
- Location
- ...on the slake
SKS on my Genesis commuter, I don't think it spoils the look of this bike.
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
Full SKS on the commuter and on the shopping bike, nothing on road or MTB but do have clip ons if needed
david1701
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Bude, Cornwall
mudguards are great and anyone who tells you otherwise has never been hit in the face by cow shoot sprayed up from the front wheel 
wiggydiggy
Legendary Member
Full guards all year round, actually enjoy riding through puddles knowing I wont get wet 
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
For me it's full SKS or Crud RoadRacers (imo the Mk2s are actually better than SKS 'guards), sure they're not essential but certainly makes for a nicer ride when doing >50 miles/day. 'Guards don't keep me dry, falling rain will soak me through but riding after getting covered in oily & gritty water from the road is not pleasant.
Full guards all year round, actually enjoy riding through puddles knowing I wont get wet
Just watch out for hidden potholes
Well, I am astonished about how much response there has been to my OP. Clearly the vast majority of commuters use full mudguards mostly all year round, but those that dont seem to be adamant that they are a waste of time.
It still confuses me that well respected brands like Decathlon advertise their flatbar road bikes as fast commuters, but dont even have eyelets for guards far less fitting them as standard. Why not??
It still confuses me that well respected brands like Decathlon advertise their flatbar road bikes as fast commuters, but dont even have eyelets for guards far less fitting them as standard. Why not??