Morning all,

Now that the weather is starting to turn, I’d like to get some mudguards for my Free Ranger and find myself in the mire of gravel bike mudguards.  After doing some reading I think the consensus is generally SKS Edge, Kinesis Fend Off, or PDW Full Metal which is where my thoughts are leaning.  I have discounted SKS Speedrockers on the basis of wanting fuller wheel coverage.

The bike is generally used for my commute (road, park path, river path, brief woodland path forays), and summer gravel rides.  Over winter it will be commuting and as a more relaxed fit road bike to keep the miles up with the odd bit of not too abysmally shocking gravel/trail thrown in every once in a while.  Tyre wise I’m still using the Panaracer Comet Hardpack 700 x 38 tyres that were fitted as I havent  gotten round to deciding what to swap them for yet.  It will however be something between 38-42.

So those with Free Rangers or the same model frame (Carbonda 696?), what have you found to be a good fit?  Any issues with front guardss and the carbon fork bridge?  What would you avoid like the plague?

I’ve tried a few.

SKS Bluemels were fine but I was on a medium frame at the time with longish cranks and ended up putting my foot through the front, so it snapped off.

I have the PDW now and they are sturdier – also on a large frame with shorter cranks so no toe overlap. Simple to fit and do a great job. Even had clearance for 45mm tyres.

Now I should have mentioned being on alarge frame too so this is just what I was wanting to hear.

Did you get the 45 or 55mm?

Thinking its best to get the 55mm to future proof any significant changes in tyres?

I’ve an XL frame, run 700x50c tyres and TBH when only ride for ‘fun’, not commuting so I’m not bothered with the grime, except don’t want a wet ar5e.  Consequently I use one of these and it works really well.

Win Wing Gravel Black Dot – Ass Savers (ass-savers.com)

Have used similar in the past on my hardtail but am specifically looking for full guards for the Free Ranger.

I have the 55mm