I basically don't ride my road bike if it's raining but have ended up running a rear SKS Raceblade to keep the filth and spray off from wet roads. The downtube does enough on the front. But it's now snapped in half..
The current bike actually has proper mounts so I could run something better, but don't actually need the full length guard with mudflap option. What should I put on there that isn't going to rattle?
PDW full metal fenders is the default answer, but they are £££.
The SKS raceblade style clip-on mudguards may sound good but they look fiddly to me. I prefer full length for the year-round commuter.
Some suggestions in this roundup by CW. Also a recent gravel-specific one by CW and also CUK have just put a piece about using mudguards offroad.
SKS edge AL work for me and don’t rattle/move on my gravel bike even off road.
Bought the Kinesis Fend off in the end. And they seem really good - solid, smart and no rattles. fitting is a faff (but I get the impression it is with any) and they really need to sort out the front mount for forks with rear mount hole rather than traditional rim brake front (I drilled out the rivets, reversed the bracket and re-riveted but not everyone is going to have the tools to do that)
have you got eyelets? If so I'd recommend use the longest possible guards: SKS longboards.
Whilst not as well made as they used to be (they replaced metal bridges with plastic etc), I've use their guards for years. SKS have also sent me free parts if ever something has broken - directly from Germany!
The Kinesis guards are great, but yeah, weird that they're set up for caliper brakes. Ironically my caliper braked bike has a mudguard mounting point under the crown so I drilled out and removed the bracket.
PDW full metal fenders is the default answer, but they are £££.
Rode a 150 mile audax on Saturday and not a rattle from my PDW fenders. Did get a lot of riders complimenting me on them too.
I’ve just fitted (though not used yet) the kinesis fend offs. £50 @ Merlin. Definite step up in quality to the sks guards.