Too old for getting soaked..

[Deerfoot]

At the age of 47 and having received a good soaking on my bike on Tuesday I've decided to invest in some mudguards.

However, my carbon road bike doesn't have mounting lugs so I'm looking at clip-on guards, either SKS race-blades or Topeak defender R1/R2.

If any of you guys have experience of either I'd appreciate your thoughts, also if I've missed any others it'd be great to get a pointer.

Thanks.

[colin_p]

The obvious answer is; winter bike !

[Deerfoot]

^ It is my winter bike...as well as being my summer bike.

[colin_p]

No, no, no, you need another bike.

You know about the n+1 thing?

[wolfracesonic]

I've just recently bought myself my first road bike and have been looking into mudguards; luckily I've got mounting points for them but did come across these, they look like they have a single mounting point, to the brake caliper, without the need for those ugly struts. There isn't much info on prices or even if they are available to buy yet but they do look pretty neat Xelo fenders

[leyorkie]

€95 a set

[Fastpedeller]

wolfracesonic said:

I've just recently bought myself my first road bike and have been looking into mudguards; luckily I've got mounting points for them but did come across these, they look like they have a single mounting point, to the brake caliper, without the need for those ugly struts. There isn't much info on prices or even if they are available to buy yet but they do look pretty neat Xelo fenders

Hmm - looks like Eur 95 - but I'd be surprised if there is no flex. CF is flexible unless there are other eg. Glasssfibre to give some rigidity? although cf is strong in tension I understand it isn't very rigid (correct me someone?)

[addey]

crud roadracer mk 3 is the other option - I've got some but haven't actually got round to fitting them yet so can't be any more helpful

They seem to get positive reviews and only £25 or so

[Deerfoot]

Thanks for the suggestions. The carbon ones are out, I can't see them being stable, especially with a single mounting point on the front and €95 is too much IMHO.

[jfdi]

I have SKS race blades on the winter. Work well.
Don't ignore the bit in the fitting instructions about securing the guard to the bracket with a small screw. I did at first and was constantly re-adjusting to prevent rubbing, secured with a screw and never moved again

[julianm]

Rosebikes have a good selection at competitive prices. They are very good with delivery.
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike-parts/mudguards

[S2Andy]

I have Raceblades on my summer bike which I tend to leave on as they are so light and keep muck off the riders following you. . Work really well and very quick to remove. Bear in mind rear guard starts at the brake bridge so mud and water can still appear on your legs,

[Deerfoot]

Wet legs I can cope with, it was the drenched backside and lower back that really annoyed.

Thanks.

[njwc]

We looked at various clipon sets for my wife's bike last winter, and eventually settled on SKS raceblade pro XL's, because they seemed to be the best made and had the best protection overall. They were easy to fit although like all mudguards they took a little while to get set up properly.

[GuinnessMK]

Another vote for SKS Race Blades, totally transformed my winter riding (until my eldest stole them off me and fitted them to his commuter bike!)

Planet X are having a flash sale at the minute https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FSSKSRBPRXL/sks-race...

[Bridgewaterfalls]

I recommend the race blade pro XT too. Ifitted the rear race blade pro XL as a stop gap before getting a winter bike. Never got the winter as budget creep got ridiculous and the guard was so good.

Only took 2 minutes to fit, unlike the lifeline narrow clipons which are on my old bike. The life ones are OK, but the pro XLs are a different league.

I've never felt confortable with using the front clip on guards in case they come loose into the front wheel. A decent pair of booties leave the feet dry. Combined with the rear guard more than adequate for any weather the Denbighshire hills can offer.

[ambuletz]

I have this for my decathalon triban 3 road bike.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zefal-swancroozer-road-mud...


does the job, and is cheap. doesnt need any tools to attach.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

addey said:

crud roadracer mk 3 is the other option - I've got some but haven't actually got round to fitting them yet so can't be any more helpful

They seem to get positive reviews and only £25 or so

Don't bother. I bought and fitted them when they came out - the front one lasted a mile before it came off and ended up in a wheelie bin.
I was sent a free replacement but I never bothered to fit it, having removed the rear one as it constantly rubbed for the remainder of the commute.

A colleague alos had them - he ended up cable tieing them in place beasue the vecro does not work and kept coming loose.

IMHO the Crud Catcher 2s were a much better product

[TwistingMyMelon]

jesusbuiltmycar said:

addey said:

crud roadracer mk 3 is the other option - I've got some but haven't actually got round to fitting them yet so can't be any more helpful

They seem to get positive reviews and only £25 or so

Don't bother. I bought and fitted them when they came out - the front one lasted a mile before it came off and ended up in a wheelie bin.
I was sent a free replacement but I never bothered to fit it, having removed the rear one as it constantly rubbed for the remainder of the commute.

A colleague alos had them - he ended up cable tieing them in place beasue the vecro does not work and kept coming loose.

IMHO the Crud Catcher 2s were a much better product

Mine have been OK

I have gaffer taped them on and used cable ties to move them over from rubbing, so they look an utter state, but they have lasted two winters of abuse, including off road grave sections day in day out . Ive even put a 32c tyre on the front and they clear that

They arent the best though and there are better options but they have lasted well

[archie456]

Fastpedeller said:

Hmm - looks like Eur 95 - but I'd be surprised if there is no flex. CF is flexible unless there are other eg. Glasssfibre to give some rigidity? although cf is strong in tension I understand it isn't very rigid (correct me someone?)

You've got it back to front. CF is very rigid, gf isn't (or is much less so).