[Closed] The Great Mudguard Debate...

I'm all for them, currently modifying a 5 quid decathlon special so it fits to the seatstays on my Trance. should be ready just in time for summer.

[i]should be ready just in time for summer.[/i]

when the real rain starts...

I really should've taken a photo of my son's bike yesterday. He gets splatted with mud, so I put adult sized mudguards on it.
"They're too big!" "Shall I take them off?" "YES!"
Even 8 year olds... 🙂

I bought waterproof shorts rather than putting a race guard on this winter. Can't say I missed it, particularly.

Drastic redusction in face and back spackle? It's a no-brainer, unless you've got no brain of course.

wwaswas - Member
should be ready just in time for summer.

when the real rain starts...

The bottle's half empty... 🙂

Have found a muckynutz 'bender fender' plus the new(ish) Crudguard pack have worked well all through this winter.

Notably less splatterback and the fender thingy has kept my fork seals free of crap 🙂

I put mudgaurds on my SS MTB for the whole of winter front and back. I have one of those fender style ones from Speedstuff at the front and an SKS skockboard at the back. For me it's an absolute no brainer. I can hit the wet trails fast as nothing hits me in the eyes from the front wheel. I stay drier and hence more comfortable and so can ride longer. Simple!

debate ? mudgaurd = if you don't want to get dirty stay at home 🙄

[b]Mod - post edited[/b]

Got some Decathlon fender style guards years ago for £6 after they were recommended, changed my riding experience greatly, you can ride faster as you get no mud in your eyes. Only this year got myself a decathlon rear guard that fits to v-brake bosses (always avoided rear guard in past because never rated the fastening mechanisms). Again riding experience gone up a notch, no wet cold ass when riding in wet conditions. Never realised there was much of a debate to be had. I suppose people might argue about aesthetics, but then I've never been concerned particularly. Personally, if that's the only thing stopping you getting one, give it a go, they're awesome.

[b]Mod - poste deleted[/b]

They look badly shite. Particularly on a HT which should be a thing of beauty.
Mudguards on a commuter make a night and day difference when it's raining. On a MTB over a rough ride the difference is considerably less - you'll still get loads of mud and dirt on you with or without.

Vintage:

[img] [/img]

Fit whatever you like to your bike, nobody really gives a toss...

Tricky call - mudguards or a face full of diluted dog-eggs. As I consider myself sane, on balance I go for the mudguards.

Only use a fender bender to stop muck going forward and am not noticeably any muddier than the guys I ride with using front and rear full guards, !!!!

[b]Mod - post edited[/b]

Oh hark at all the Andy Gray wannabies on here!

As it always does, two sides have appeared:

Side 1 contains those who either care or don't care what their bike looks like, but they feel that the increased visibility and comfort from mudguards outweights any impact on the aesthetics and weight of their bike.

Side 2 contains people calling those in side 1 " and I'm still wiating for FFS, are you eleven?. 🙄

[b]Mod - post edited[/b]

Oh here we go then

To - "I bought waterproof shorts" - Try riding every day

To - "Get covered in mud and MTFU" - Try riding every day

To - "They look bad" - Try riding every day in the dark

As stated, it's a bit of no-brainer if you ride regularly.........

IMHO of course

It was makes me smile this time of year when I see mtbers slowly plodding through mud, with baggies looking like they've been ODing on picolax - living the dream 🙂

I have one on the rear simply to save the faff of cleaning my backpack.

i ride a carrera so its important i use the crud racepack to complete the halfords look 🙂

plus it keeps my tesco value backpack clean

i like getting muddy, great fun! 🙂

I used to but now can't be arsed as they snap, fall off, etc - I just use a neogard and that's about it - each to their own 🙂

Big g@y mudguards for me.
I've a collection of THE fenders for my different forks, old style Race guard, new style race guard and proper old-skool Crud Guard that just works.
Dry face = visibilty.
Dry @ass = warm and non-chafing. Which matters if you're out for a long one.

Vintage Troll you say - pah!!! I don't know what you're on about!!

This is a meaningful discussion, hopefully putting paid to the neanderthal style police.

Troll!!! NO!!! It's a revolution!!

Well I have a rear guard that I use on long epics when it's particularly grim, or two dayers like Polaris etc.

Normally don't bother though as it's flappy and annoying.

mudgaurd = poof !

@ qooq

You sir are an idiot, and a homophobic one at that. You should also learn how to spell - that tends to lend any argument you put forward a bit more substance. Though I think you lost this one when you resorted to calling people '.

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Downtube crud catcher all year round.

I've got a rear crud guard that spends all it's time in the boot of the car, it looks terrible no matter what you do with it. that's when it's not flapping about or spinning at right angles.

You can do what you want but there's no way i'm putting one of those on my bike.

crud guard on the down tube of every bike all year , crud catcher on my commuter all year, nothing on the back of my paying out bike as i get annoyed by my mates never being in line and don't mind getting muddy plus it's a pain to put my bike in the car boot with a crud catcher on.

i assume is intended to be an assertion of sexuality? if so why?

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I probabbly got guard and catcher the wrong way round?

OK if it’s an “Honest” thread then I’ll weigh in

For the MTB I use a Crud catcher and bit of inner tube betwixt crowns in the winter…

Don’t fancy a whale tail on the MTBs though, not because of the stupid looks (and they do look stupid) but because I’d soon bash it sideways/into the wheel when I get all Rad/Gnarr 2 Da Max Innit!!11!1 …

On the Road bike Crud road Guards make sense in crappy weather to me…

Fit what you like 99.99% of the World really don’t care, and nobody would call you a “” or ” in real life, only on a web forum…

You big bunch of

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Can I just point out that Goog is not 11 - he is 15 now and past puberty

lol 😆

@ the Mods - thanks for the email

They serve a function but ruin the lines of most bikes, got cruds on my commuter but wouldn't dare put them on my AM bling beauty, and yes that makes me shallow and yes I do have a muddy arse.

Road bike yes. Essential in winter if you're riding in a group. Be courteous and don't spray other people with crap!

Mountain bike no. We tend not to ride inches from the person in front like on the road, so there's no risk of being sprayed with someone else muck.

I always think these threads that compare useful bike accessories (mudguards, spoke guards, etc.) against current trends are often frequented in the main by people who would be better off giving up the bike and perhaps taking up fashion design or something.

Please shoot me if I ever make a choice based on current fashion instead of tangible facts! Mind you, that's one of the lovely benefits of being 46, I don't have to conform to fashion or give a toss what anyone else thinks about my choices in life.

Please shoot me if I ever make a choice based on current fashion instead of tangible facts!

Whether or not I mind having a less muddy arse as a trade for an annoying wobbly flappy moving bit of plastic is not a tangible fact.. it's a matter of preference.

Wozza - Member
Downtube crud catcher all year round.

I've got a rear crud guard that spends all it's time in the boot of the car, it looks terrible no matter what you do with it...

I can see your problem. It may help if you fit it to the bike.

I can't stand the things, they offend me greatly and those strips of rubber that fit to a fork (neoguard?) are the spawn of the devil.

Have you seen the inhumane conditions in the gimp farms to get those little bits of rubber pelt you all want! It is frankly a disgrace and you should all be ashamed of yourselves.

[img] [/img]

Gimp pelt

[img] [/img]

poor sweet little harmless gimp before being clubbed and skinned.

Taz- president of the gimp protection league

Choice 1 - look "cool" and smell of dogshit
Choice 2 - mudguards

Choice 1 - look "cool" and smell of dogshit
Choice 2 - mudguards

I don't really use them unless it's really muddy. The only one I have is a crud downtube one which works ok. Was gonna get some for the road bike but can't really be arsed.

crud guards all year round
cant be bothered to take em off.

and if you go for a pint or in a cafe when riding, it keeps the upholstry clean.

manners cost nowt........... 8)

Mud is no problem. On my muddy local trails I just use some old inner tube ziptied to the forks to keep mud out my eyes.

Surface water is the real problem. After rain on the Qs, and at trail centres, the trails are hard/fast and run with water. Mudguards are a blessing.

tazzymtb - Member
choice 3 - stop riding in dog poo, that's very dirty and you need help

But isn't that the sealing layer on all mtb tracks?

hey Mod you missed one! but it was in a quote.

[i]crud guards all year round
cant be bothered to take em off.

and if you go for a pint or in a cafe when riding, it keeps the upholstry clean.

manners cost nowt...........[/i]

Thanks Ton, just what I was thinking.
Can't get my head round waterproof shorts, (or my big fat ar$e into any)I mean why? If it's hoying it down, your'e gonna wet legs anyway & if youv'e got a guard on it keeps all the crap of your back.
Guards for me, even on a 5.

Can't get my head round waterproof shorts

Me neither, then I got a pair. They are lovely when it's too warm for full leg cover but not warm enough to bear being wet through. A bit like fingerless gloves - seem weird in theory but work well in practice.

Why is it a great debate? If you want them, stick them on? If you don't, don't?!

Well, I used to ride without mud guards and constantly got a wet ar$e. Unfortunately the friction between saddle and clothing caused a very nasty rash. Did the usual MTFU but eventually had to visit the GP, several times, as it wouldn't clear. It cleared up after [b]1 year[/b] - I kid you not.

Waterproof shorts for me now and they are worn for about 6 months of the year.

Can't have mud guards spoiling the good looks of my bikes. 😉

It's hard to explain quite how awesome waterproof shorts are!

I love my Gore Alp X's - so unobtrusive and being knee length is spot-on. Awesome bit of kit. 8)

That word again. 😉

Not got any on the trail bike, got the full set (crud catcher, fast fender, flappy rear guard) on the hardtail for all other riding duties. tbh I got fed up with going in the pub sh*t up after my training rides. Dont mind getting sh*t up on the trails though! 😆

I use a Neoguard or Bender Fender but the aesthetics of rear mudguards has always been a problem for me.

However I am now getting tired of my Camelbak, backside and jacket constantly being caked in slop. I think I might try a mudguard when it's wet (but don't tell anyone)

Mudguards all winter. I can get back to the car (my current favoured spot is mid way home from work so stop off on the way home) and not get crap all over the seats. Only other way is to undress in the street, and it's too cold and the lady at number 6 was starting to scare me.

Wiredchops
I've just looked at the Decathlon rear guard V brake fixing. Looks interesting, but does it give sufficient clearance (similar to a Crud Guard) if not actually running V brakes i.e. attached to the fixings only? Have you a pic of the finished article? I always think the Crud Guard's a faff if you want to lower the seat post.

badgerbaiter - it works just fine without the v brakes but you do need the v brake posts in the frame

Best mudguard I have used

Noisy, get in the way, make changing tubes difficult, rattle about a lot, foul certain kinds of brakes, foul the frame, foul the pedals, flimsy, annoying, look silly.

Saying that I have them on my commuter and they're all those things but they do stop me needing to take a spare pair of shorts in with me.

On all my other bikes? Yep I get a bit muddy and wet sometimes. you know what? It's not a problem. I like getting muddy and wet. I'm going mountain biking not crown green bowling.

I like em. I don't like soggy nethers. The prospect of wearing Gore Tex shorts isn't appealing - but to each their own.

No guards on the road summer bike - but all over the others. Apart from briefly in 2006 when it was all dusty and on team 24s when the ridicule from my team mates is too much to bear otherwise.

Does anyone really care?

[i]It's not a problem. I like getting muddy and wet.[/i]

Then why not just roll around in a puddle.

I've had a front fender style guard for years - never had any problems with it in use, it clips in and out in seconds and keeps mud out of face. Simple but effective bit of kit if you want to drastically reduce the amount of mud and water hitting your face - no great debate from my perspective. Never got on with rear mudguards for some reason.

I have a mudguard on my Heckler FS and Whyte 19. I can sometimes go to the pub after a ride without changing my shorts and offending the landlord. People with mudguards are less vain and more practical than people without (they also prefer not to be hit with various trailside bits of dog eggs, horse manure, rotting corpses, puddles of cow urine etc) as from what I can see the only reason people don't use them is because of looks!

samuri - Member
Noisy,

samuri - Member
get in the way,

samuri - Member
make changing tubes difficult,

samuri - Member
rattle about a lot,

samuri - Member
foul certain kinds of brakes, foul the frame,

samuri - Member
foul the pedals,

samuri - Member flimsy,

samuri - Member
annoying, look silly.

i don't like other people judging the way my bike looks so i wear a full body condom whilst riding
[img] [/img]

I don't use them because:

a) they don't completely eliminate getting muddy, so whats the point?
b) they look awfull
c) I've been riding since I was 15 and have yet to get a disease simply because I was muddy, accidently rode through cow poo or, on occasion, dog muck. Maybe trust your immune system?

Their usefullness is overstated. But each to their own. I guess.

Jesus, you lot make mtb riders look like the big girly woofters of the outdoor sports world! You don't see fell runners wearing a wet suit and a pair of waders in case they get a bit mud on them.

So to sum up, this is a debate between the clean people with uncool bikes and the dogpooey dungy smelling dirty people with cool bikes.

🙂

Had to have mudguards on my Pitch through Torridon last May, to compliment the visual feast of my riding gear co-ordination...

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Note apparent lack of cosmetic awareness 🙂

You don't see fell runners wearing a wet suit and a pair of waders in case they get a bit mud on them

They are freaks though, and look like gimps.

risk of being sprayed with someone else muck.

I knew roadies were supposed to be weird, but 😯 There's liking bikes, and there's that. *shudders*

A big part of my love of riding is getting home covered in mud. Maybe I'm just weird.

And I've not had any shite on me yet (I think...)

Jesus, you lot make mtb riders look like the big girly woofters of the outdoor sports world!

Watch it "big girly woofters" could be taken as Sizeist/Sexist/Homophobic, you might get a telling off email from the thought police too... 🙄

well considering I'm a little fat chap that likes other men, they can't really get me for much can they?

[img] [/img]

Fat bikes need fat mudguards!

Gary if I had that fatbike, I would deffo put those mudguards on it.

I want one

That said, my own Bikes dont have mudguards 'cos I cant be bothered to fit them . If they were already on, I wouldnt be bothered to take 'em off.

garybuckham - Member
Fat bikes need fat mudguards!

I put a different fork on my fatbike the other day and seeing as the weather was warmer didn't bother to fit a front mudguard. The next day it snowed which was fine, but then it turned to sleet...

Riding in sleet yesterday was one of the most miserable times I've spent on a bike. My trousers were sodden, boots full of freezing water, and my eyes blasted with all sorts of rubbish. I was wearing the same gear I usually wear in comfort for subzero conditions including the 'Puffer.

It seems to me that if you're not going to have a mudguard in winter conditions, you're going to need to wear a lot of restrictive and sweat trapping clothing - or restrict yourself to riding very slowly to cut down the spray, which is what I ended up doing.

Crud guard no longer fits my seatpost. Get some waterproof shorts today for a ride tonight and the trails are bone dry !

garybuckham - Member
Fat bikes need fat mudguards!

Just sorted that 🙂

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Front is an sks shockboard, rear a decathlon v mount. Both work well. Rear decathlon was my fourth attempt at finding a rear that actually works, recommended to me by helpful folks on this site and is the best I have tried and still performing well.

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