thinking about putting one on my HT for winter, will put a couple of layers of helitape on seatstays first. Any downsides, apart from it looking gopping ? I guess a bit of a faff fitting and removing so it’s likely on till Spring.
Only bad thing I've head of is the paint stripping?
I'd probably use a cut inner tube myself as constant abrasion can get through invisitape surprisingly fast sometimes.
A minor thing - if you like to lean your bike upright against things using the rear tyre method, the MH gets in the way. You can still do it but it bends the MH a bit.
^^wot he said, I use inner tube over the invisiframe. Those cable ties will slice through in no time.
Aside from what you've already pointed out, it is minging to look at and once it on it's staying on..
You can still do it but it bends the MH a bit.
it bends right back though. a handy tip, if you get a permanent bend from a front or rear hugger a kettle of hot water poured over it regains its shape.
as said, carefully tape the contact points then sit back and enjoy a dry arse for the duration of winter
Yep, inner tube, covered with SA tape. Then there's nothing getting under the tube and it gives the zip ties something to bite into.
Oddly, I think it looks better that way as your eye isn't caught by multiple zip ties. But it's a mud guard, it's never going to look good.
apart from it looking gopping
I have one but it does, it really does. Everything else been covered, including the standing against walls. I use the supplied invisitape and haven't had an issue, but do keep an eye on it. Lots of cable ties done up nice and tight seems to stop is moving too much.
No downsides apart from the constant mocking from people who dont run one.
They’re great. The do flap a bit and bounce of the tyre when it gets lairy but they dont move. Katies now has a very thin patch from either impact friction or just riding in heavy mud.
If you’re on a hardtail you can mount it a decent distance from the tyre, on a sus bike its a balance of tyre clearance and seat tube clearance at full compresssion.
Ours have been mounted with good quality helicopter tape. I’ve just added a layer of inner tube over the top of mine - not sure if that’s an improvement or not.
I don't find it that efficient. On a FS 29er, I still seem to get a wet bum. Could be my poor mounting skills (fnarr fnarr) but my riding chum who just has a cheapo seatpost mounted guard always seems to have a drier backside than me - and his is bigger!
the added bonus of course is longer service intervals for your dropper post
Other than the extreme ugliness, and having to ensure it doesn't ruin the paint (which it does, unless you are careful*), no downsides. Works better than any other MTB mud guard I've ever tried.
*Wrapping layers of electrical tape over helitape, and keeping the zip ties tight, has worked for me. Neater than a cut down inner tube too.
I think some people velcro them on with those wee velcros cable tie things.
Have the rear mudhugger on my "winter bike" (HT).
I'am a fan of this thing - really a neat and rugged design!
Only trouble in certain snow conditions (3 times a year or so?) - like "snow on wed mud", bit under freezing point. Then the tyres pick up the snow, glue it to the mudhugger and you suddenly have a big, fat brake ... Then cleaning + biking + braking + cleaning + biking + swearing!!!
But no issues at all in pure mud and really low temperatures.
The "looks": like the looks as well.
My full suspension bikes: only able to fit the front mudhugger. For the rear I use an ugly design from Topeak. But this thing isn't rugged at all.
Touched on slightly already ..you can no longer count yourself as "hardcore" ...😁
A front one is ok ...( I run one myself ) ..rear ..mamby pamby cissy stuff..😉😎
great stuff, will helitape, then inner tube and black tape, thanks everyone.
As others have said, apart from the ugliness no downsides whatsoever!
Wouldn't be without mine in winter now, the extra comfort from not being soaked by spray is definitely worth it. A little tip I've picked up from using it: spray the underside with WD40/GT85 etc every few rides, it stops stuff sticking to it like in the muddy snow example above.
.rear ..mamby pamby cissy stuff
I mean, who'd want a seatpost, saddle, rucksack that lasts longer? who'd want to get in the car at the end of a winter ride without changing or making the seats dirty? Remember getting all your kit filthy and trashing it is what makes you a real mountain biker, not what you ride.
I don’t find it that efficient. On a FS 29er, I still seem to get a wet bum.
small rear triangles are an issue as it sits rotated further towards the botttom bracket and gives less coverage. Fine on my XL 29er hardtail, fine on Katies small Canyon full sus.
Only trouble in certain snow conditions (3 times a year or so?) – like “snow on wed mud”, bit
This. Also see very sticky clay plus gravel/pine needles. half way thorugh a day of riding in france made it 50m down one trail and had to carry bikes out and spend half an hour scraping mud off before the wheels would turn.
Mounting further from the wheel (if you can) helps but katies' bikes work better than mine due to tube shapes.
Just be careful if you ever have to 'bump' the bike down some steps vertically while holding the bars - the mudhugger will snap when it hits the top of the step above the one the tyres trying to rest on...
1. When I wheel my bike on it's back wheel down the step into the shed it sometimes catches.
2. I couldn't quite put my wheel-less hardtail widthways in the boot of a VW Touran with it on.
3. I waste a lot of cable ties because I frequently change my mind about whether I want it on there or not.
I mean, who’d want a seatpost, saddle, rucksack that lasts longer? who’d want to get in the car at the end of a winter ride without changing or making the seats dirty? Remember getting all your kit filthy and trashing it is what makes you a real mountain biker, not what you ride.
Funny, whilst not having a slightly muddier arse, regularly see people with all the mudguard plastered in mud still. Not getting changed after a sopping wet day because of a mudguard? Hyperbole much?
As for my seatpost lasting longer? Nope. And who wears out a saddle due to mud?
I'd rather have a wet arse. or just use waterproof shorts/trousers 🙂
A front one is ok …( I run one myself ) ..rear ..mamby pamby cissy stuff..
I recently told a riding buddy (old-school XC type, constructed entirely from knotted barbed wire and hate) of my intention to fit one.
He asked if it was to keep my tutu clean.
Does anyone bother to apply similar protection to their fork when fitting an FR?
who wears out a saddle due to mud
I've got through the arse of a fair few expensive waterproof trousers that have got covered in mud and grit and then worn through on the saddle.
Wow I got a bite .😁 ( Simons)
What I was said very much tongue in cheek ..If you want a rear mud guard ..go ahead & fill yer...errrr..mud guard ..don't worry about other riders s****ing behind your back ..
Awww shucks I did it again ...
I was curious so I Googled for images.
No wonder none of you have posted a pic of your bike with one on!
The need fitting fairly close to look ok, imo, but they're not to bad if you shape them with a bit of heat.
You've cunningly put yours on a fat bike so the massive bulbous wheels detract from the mudguard's impact, haven't you?
One serious concern I have is that when seatpost mounted rear guards were popular, I used to take them out with my leg while mounting or dismounting. Is that not an issue?
One serious concern I have is that when seatpost mounted rear guards were popular, I used to take them out with my leg while mounting or dismounting. Is that not an issue?
If that is a 'serious concern' you have too much time on your hands! It's really not an issue unless you are incredibly clumsy, or you spend half your ride doing running mounts.
Thanks for the reply, I think.
As for my seatpost lasting longer? Nope. And who wears out a saddle due to mud?
Someone who rides in the mud on a regular basis would be my guess there.
If the mud is really sticky, it will clog up and stop you riding. Then its find a stick time.
....and your coat still gets sprayed with mud. I used the 29er size for 27.5 plus tyres and it needs to be two inches longer.
The best mudguard design I have used. They just work. Why ride without them? I cannot for the life of me understand why someone wants to get soaked and filthy because their bike looks better without a guard. You look stupid anyway in your uniform of weird baggy trousers, brightly coloured tops and plastic hat with a peak.
I like to go to the pub halfway round a ride if possible - much easier if yo are not plastered with mud. I also watch mudguard less riders riding around puddles thus widening trails rather than thru them.
There is no downside to guards and lots of positives
IMO real riders use mudguards, poseurs don't 😉
I agree with tjagain. We're not exactly fashion icons, are we? Regarding FS 29ers, though, you have to fit an extension on the end to make it properly effective. This, of course, makes it even more gopping.
One word of warning, if you're unsure what size you need for the back, err on the longer side as if you have to fit an extension, it's a bit crap because it permanently rattles and no glue known to man will stick to the plastic. Better to go for the 29er and get the hacksaw out if needed.
Regarding the extensions just melt holes through with a soldering iron and cable time them on.
agree with tjagain. We’re not exactly fashion icons, are we?
You might not be, I won't even leave the house if I don't have the right outfit to compliment my good looks and riding style.
Oh... and before agreeing with Teej. Have you actually seen the nick of him? 😉
I'm moor likely to ride in the Winter these days knowing the guards will limit thethe amount of cold water and mud I get sprayed with.
Don't give a damn what the guards look like as long as they function well.
Anyway, e bikers don't mind how ugly their bikes are, so why should I? 😃😏
I used the 29er size for 27.5 plus tyres and it needs to be two inches longer.
Interesting, I went this route and it looked far too long and I kept catching it on stuff (legs, garage, walls), so just took it off after a couple of rides.
Was thinking of cutting it down until I read this. Waterproof shorts and change of clothes plus towel at the end of the ride for me.
Is it just me that finds hand-wringing over the aesthetics of a muddy ride to be, I dunno, somewhat bonkers? If the spray is still breaching the rear guard and slapping your arse with wet chaff and clag then simply butcher the lid of a margarine carton or plastic takeaway container and bolt or epoxy it onto the rear-end of yr fender. Mudflaps ahoy! Recycling for the win, spatter is no matter, & c.
(to the room) You're a grown up riding a bicycle around muddy shitewoods and lonely moors, usually alone or with similar be-splattered idiots. Do you really think the dog-walkers or other cyclists are going to laugh at you for choosing a mudguard? Or does that extra bit of plastic make your bollocks visibly shrink in public? Or are you convinced that the sponsors waiting in the wings will shower you with baby blue and bright orange gifts if you look more ruggedly race-ready and bank-ably unconcerned with your bum being ruggedly open wide to the elements?
Think of it like this - MX racers put sponsor's names on their rear mudguards. That could be you!
Or think of it another way - as far as the rest of the world feels about your choice of mudguard - just imagine how you feel about a train-spotter's choice of raincoat' or pen?* Or a canoeists choice of spraydeck? That's it. That's all there is to the 'fashion' of it.
Outside of the fragile ego - either the pen or coat, spraydeck or fender is fit for it's designed purpose or it isn't.
I do detest a floppy mudguard. Or one that lets too much mud/dogshit out, or else directs it elsewhere unwanted like derailleurs etc.
*assuming you aren't a train-spotter etc.
Apart from looking hideous the biggest downside is that mine dumped every bit of water and mud it caught onto my brakes and cassette. I took it off in the end as the howling brakes and grinding drivetrain were unbearable.
I presume it’s just the angle it fits on my chameleon that causes it. A friend had the same bike and also binned his for the same reason
The front is great though.
I have both front and rear, best mudguards I’ve had. For me it’s simple, they don’t look great but i’d much rather be dry (and warmer) on a 5 hour Winter MTB than without. I ride more because of that and after all that’s what’s its all about.....,
Here on Vancouver Island they are becoming more popular. Have not heard anyone make fun of them, you have to be an idiot if you prefer a wet mouldy ass. Both my Knolly Fugitive and Pipedream Moxie have em and I simply won't buy a frame that the MH doesn't fit.
They work well. The only problem I’ve had is the one on my full suspension bike slipping down the seat stays on a bouncy downhill and rubbing the tyre. Zip tieing to the bridge between the stays will solve that though.
Arrived today, front is a bit tight between tyre and fork and the rear one looks like it needs a bit of adjusting to get it seated. Not convinced, so, anyone want them for a bit less than they cost me (which was £43 incl blue and white decals) ?
Iain - heat them a bit and you can adjust them to get a perfect fit.
yep, you can hair drier a standard 29er to fit a 4"fat bike tyre
I cut a section out of ours so they fit around the fork brace rather than under it. Gives a good bit more clearance.
My front mud hugger used to tyre buzz when out of the saddle.
This solved that problem. Lots more clearance.
https://www.merlincycles.com/zefal-deflector-fm30-front-mudguard-108316.html?source=PHG