anyone using the crud roadie guards, wondering if its worth getting a pair to make wet riding a little more bearable this winter?
any idea if 35mm cross tyres are too wide?
I bought some, they were rubbish, bent in the packet and no ammount of warm water would straighten them out, then a bracket snapped. Got some SKS chromoplastics and not had to touch them in 2 years commuting.
If you mean [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54934&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom ]these ones[/url] then they will be no good. They're ideally suited to 23c road tyres. You can just about get away with a 24 tyre.
Edit; I had to file down the guard where it connects below the brakes to get them to fit properly. I think they're okay once fitted but can be hit and miss depending on what bike/ clearances you have.
Aye - the Road Racers will fit 24c and some 25c tyres. I get on great with them. However, there's no way they'll go near a cross tyre.
From what I've seen, problems are (a) folk not following the instructions and doing up the zip-tie too tightly and (b) rotating the bike onto its back wheel and snapping off the rear extension.
SKS chromoplastics FTW
SKS ones need mounts though don't they?
I have some other clip on ones similar to the Cruds (raceguards or something?) and they do the job OK, not as sturdy as proper guards but keep the worst of the filth odd.
25mm is about as big as they will take
Yup, the chromoplastics do, the race-blades mount to the brakes and ziptie to the stays. Or as it's a cross bike you could run chromoplastics and some p-clips as you wont have brake mounts for race blades?
On the tyre front, swap the cross tyres for slicks, much better on road, and mudguards will at best jam up with mud off road, at worse get a stick in them and jam (which they should release, but theres always that 1in100 chance of them still jamming).
The SKS Race Guard XLs will go up to around 32c and don't need any mounts. You can also get some other clip-on style guards from Zefal and others.
Just fitted the Crud Mk2s with my 24c Conti Grand Prix, and they're fine.
I did try a set of [url= http://www.hebie.de/Viper-742.hebie742viper.0.html ]Hebie Viper[/url] one-bolt guards, but they didn't fit - need more clearance between bridge and tyre.
So they're for sale if anyone wants some...
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I've been using the mk2 cruds for about 3 months and i'm pretty chuffed with them. Took about 10 mins each end to fit and haven't hand to mess around with them since, bar the odd wiggle if they are catching. They are in daily use and get knocked around a bit. Could only get 23mm tyres to fit with mine, but I think some of this depends on the frame; my mate with a trek runs 25mm tyres. The offer more cover than race blades with no more hassle IME.
Anyone know where I can get any more o-rings for the cruds? (Or does anyone have a spare lying around?!)
My front guard was full of slushy snow and in clearing it out with a pointy stick I snapped one of the o-rings attaching it to my fork.
Grr.
Just use an elastic band.
If you haven't got any then just walk down the road where you live and you'll almost certainly find some on the ground where your *local postie has accidentally dropped some.
*assuming they're similar to my postie of course.
At least they're easy to spot - being red...
Fair enough! It'll go with the rest of the bodged bits on my bike.
I had the Mk1's on my son's road bike. Thought they were poor compared with SKS chromoplastics, a stay broke. Since you will leave them on for a few months, fit with P clips if your frame can't take them. Or swap forks. I like the SKS raceblades too, better quality, but protect your frame with tape.