Zefal Deflector FM40 Front Mudguard review

It’s hard to fault the Zefal Deflector FM40. It does the job well and doesn’t cost a lot.

• Brand: Zefal
• Product: Deflector FM40 Front Mudguard
• Price: £20.00
• From: Chicken Cycle Kit
• Tested by: Ross for 3 months

Pros

• Protects as well as anything else out there
• Easy to install and remove
• Good value

Cons

• Er, some folk won’t like the ‘strap aesthetic’
• Not a lot else

If you ride all year round in the UK then a proper, full length front mudguard is a must. Personally, I’m not too bothered about rear guards but keeping mud and spray (and not to mention dog eggs) out of my face on rides is a priority, and the FM40 is designed to do just that.

At 560mm long and suitable for all MTB wheel sizes and tyres to 3in, the FM40 is up there with the current crop of big ‘n’ bold front fenders.

There are multiple mount slots on the top of the guard to get the fit right. The sides feature wide side deflectors to increase coverage for your fork seals and keep as many things protected as possible.

It comes supplied with three rubberised-on-one-side hook-and-loop straps to make mounting quick and simple. Zefal also supply two adhesive rubber pads to stick on to the aforementioned wide sides of the FM40, to both help reduce any wobble as well as protect the fork seal bulge areas.

There are also two direct mount bolt-on adapters available for er, mounting directly to the rear of your fork arch. One for Fox forks 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 (2021), AWL, Öhlins, SR Suntour et Marzocchi, and one for Rockshox. These adapters cost £10.00 each.

Mounting the FM40 is simple and faff free using the provided straps. Decide on the top slot combo that best works with your fork, thread the straps through the holes, wrap tightly round your arch and lowers and that’s it. The rubberised straps do a great job of keeping things in place. Since initial fitting everything has stayed in place. As with any long mudguard there can be a bit of ‘wobble’ when things are properly fast and rough, but I’ve not had to reposition it at any point, even after chucking it in the van.

The coverage provided is as good as it gets with modern mudguards. It does a great job of stopping splashes and front wheel spray. You can ride the fastest trails in the worst of conditions without issue, and keep focusing on the trail ahead rather than wiping water and grit of your glasses or out of your eyes. The additional side coverage also works at keeping crap off your seals which can only help prolong the life of your fork.

Overall

It’s hard to fault the Zefal Deflector FM40. It does the job it needs to do. You can ride in the worst of weathers. And, most importantly, costs a lot less than most of its competitors. Recommended.

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Manufacturer description

The Deflector FM40 mudguard can be fitted to the front of a mountain bike or electric bike to effectively protect the bike and rider from water and mud splashes. The self-gripping, rubberised straps make fitting simple, effective and universal. Its elegant, discreet design blends in perfectly with the aesthetics of your bike, without compromising its stability.

The Deflector FM40 is particularly suitable for wide tyres up to 3.0′. It is made from impact-resistant engineering plastic. The side deflectors offer unique protection for the fork tubes against dirt. Its length and stability mean you can ride with peace of mind, whatever your riding style and whatever the weather conditions.

The mudguard can also be fixed-mounted using an adapter for forks with threaded holes in the rear of the fork bridge. Two optional models are available: the FZ01 compatible with Fox forks from 2021, Suntour, X-Fusion, Ohlins and Marzocchi (with Fox chassis), and the RZ01 for Rockshox Zeb, Domain (2021) and Lyrik, Pike (from 2023), Recon, 35 Gold and Silver.

Features

• Efficient and discreet: Positioned close to the wheel
• Universal: With adjustable straps. Particularly suitable for wide tyres up to 3″
• Fork protection: Side deflectors to protect fork seals from dirt
• Bolt On adapter: – Fixed mounting fit to your fork by choosing the appropriate adapter

Technical specifications

• Material: Polypropylene
• Wheel diameter: 27.5″ / 28″ / 29″
• Maximum recommended tyre width: 3″ / 76mm
• Protection level: High
• Mounting: On the fork with straps X2 210mm and X1 150mm
• Weight: 510g
• Dimensions L x W x H: 560 x 90 x 170mm