Is this not the most annoying, fiddly, frustrating job in a bike mechanics work? 2 hours it’s just taken me to fit a pair of SKS Chromoplastics to my Paddy Waggon, 2 hours. I was so close to throwing the thing at the wall, it was meant to be a 30 minute job. I’m a pretty competent home mechanic I thought but those things have just made a mockery of my skills.
And breathe, I need a beer now.
Did it involve Zip ties? Usually they are the worlds most useful thing - but when it comes to mudguards, nope. I refused to fit mudguards to my wife's bike if she bought ones held on with Zip Ties. SKS make some great products but it's a bolted fitment on our road bikes or nothing for us.
Should've bought PDW Full Metal [s]fenders[/s] mudguards 😉
It really isn't that hard. Getting them to not rub when you're using proper 28mm tyres can require some finesse.
The hardest part is probably getting through the stays but that's what hacksaws are for!
SKS are an absolute nightmare ended up taking bolt cutters to one side that wouldn’t fit my CAADX, I’d nearly rather have wet ass
Next pair will take half the time! Also angle grinder for the win..
Yeah, it's only the first time. Easier after that.
SKS fit like a dream compared to the competition
Cutting the stays is a real pain in the hands. The good news is when the rear cracks, you won't have to cut theme again! Oh and I fitted the rear with a P clip around the chainstay bridge. I think this gives a good anchor to stop the tiny vibrations that led to two rear failures.
They look good when finished though. Except you need a rear rapid mount, otherwise you have to deflate the rear tyre to remove/insert after a puncture. Wasted more than one CO2 when I'd forgotten out on the road!
I hate fitting them too.
Never seem to have a straightforward fit either. There's always some disc mount or pannier rack it needs fitting around, or a hole that needs drilling and numerous spacers/valve nuts or something to get it in the right place.
😀
I got some Trek (Bontrager) ones, no cutting necessary. No faff, no throwing things no frustration.
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Pdw ones really at the tits but at70 quid I did question it prior .
The lack of movement and cracking have been worth it.
I have the bontrager ones. Great fitting system - made it easy.
I have the bontrager ones. Great fitting system - made it easy.
This.
Just got some for my Cannondadle.
Great bits of kit IMHO.
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Well, just when i thought all was well, I go to tighten up the back wheels (bolted as it's a fixed wheel) and one of the locknuts has cracked. So now I have to find a replacement locknut before I can even ride the thing. As you can imagine, I'm chuffed.
I find full guards, especially the SKS Chromoplastics are an absolute pain to fit. Never yet managed it in less than an hour to my bikes, but it is a bit of a rite of passage to be able to fit them properly!
Trouble is, once fitted well, stays adjusted and clearances are fettled, I've found them bullet proof and none of the 'temporary' guards come close for true wet weather coverage. Mine stay on all year to avoid the faff of refitting 😆
I have Giles Berthoud stainless guards on my Thorn. They make SKS guards look like a walk in the park, but once fitted, they do not move. Ever.
I enjoy it, I like all the problem solving. It's not a quick job tho! I like wheel building also, so maybe these slow, fiddly jobs appeal to me..
I've enjoyed fitting SKS Guards on my bikes, as above, I also like problem solving and am a bit of a perfectionist.
I've spent far too long worrying about the gap being even all the way around, but always been pretty happy with the end result, and never had any issues with rubbing/movement.
Agree with the op. Spent some time yesterday trying to attach some sks race blades to my racer. The raervone had been on before a few years ago yet struggling to get it to stay central over the tyre and not run on one sidewall. Thought I'd done it in the end, but got to work today and it looks like it's been running a bit on one side of the tyre. Grrrr.
Thought I'd have a go at the front one - it just won't fit. Suspect if I have a go and bending it I may get somewhere but I'm not sure I have the enthusiasm.
Frames with no rack mounts at all aren't ideal for commuting all year round. But then I should have guessed a carbon fibre racer wasn't the ideal tool at the outset.
I don’t seem to have a problem with it. A small pair of bolt cutters is the easiest thing I’ve found for cutting the stays: it’s just one good hard squeeze and you can do it with the stays in situ so you don’t need to faff about with offering them up and marking them before taking them back off for cutting.
The only really awkward bit IME is when you’re struggling for clearance, especially at the fork crown. I’ve had to spend a while carefully carving guards with a Stanley knife on one or two occasions.
Great fitting system - made it easy.
Too hefty a price a to be paid on the aesthetics, though, IMO. YMMV.
Fitted some SKS Raceblade Longs on Thursday night while watching Grand Designs. Not the most fun job I've ever done as aligning the brackets and brakes was a pita but pretty satisfying in the end - took about 1.5hrs I guess. Not ridden it yet.