Zefal Swan Road Rear mudguard

If you're looking for great protection from road spray from your rear wheel and don't have mudguard mounts (or much technical knowhow), the £8.99 Zefal Swan Road is a great option – for both permanent and temporary use.

Mudguards have always been a product I've been hesitant to attach to my bike. Not being the most practical person, I always feel an attempt to fit them properly – to the seatstays – will only ever result in annoying rubbing and/or mud clogging up what little wheel clearance I have. I'll never get it fitted cleanly and running smoothly, so I never bother.

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That's now changed with the Zefal Swan. Because it only fits via a sturdy yet simple bracket to the seatpost, there's no faffing around with fiddly support struts, and it eliminates the issue of clearance altogether. The bracket fits by a screw-on mechanism, which when fully unscrewed releases and unclips from the seatpost for removal. It really is super simple – and coming from me that's quite a statement.

This is all well and good, but does it actually perform? Absolutely. I've ridden with the Swan attached throughout our very wet and windy Christmas, and it's done a brilliant job of keeping road muck away from my back. Adjusting the mudguard is as simple as loosening the bracket and twisting it side to side or sliding it up and down the seatpost, and the 45mm width compensates with a little extra coverage because, inevitably, it doesn't sit quite as tight as your 'traditional' mudguards.

Additional adjustment comes from an angle adjuster, which means you can ensure the Swan sits closely to your wheel. I had mine lowered to within 2cm of the tyre, which provided coverage aplenty in tandem with its well-considered length.

Another factor I was worried about was the potential for flapping, seeing as the Swan is fitted only by the seatpost bracket with no extra support. That worry was quickly dispelled – the mudguard remains remarkably static even when riding over rough roads and potholes, which means coverage is maintained. Occasionally, I found the bracket had loosened over the course of a few rides – but just checking it before you go out or once at a coffee stop or brief pause sorts this small downside out.

The Swan weighs in at 150g, which, frankly, I didn't notice. This means your bike's responsiveness is uncompromised, and makes it suitable for both summer use when the weather isn't so good as well as full time winter employment too.

> For other wet weather gear and clothing, check out our guide here

Additional features? Just one: the bracket has a reflective circle integrated within the screw-cap. It means you get a little extra visibility from behind, although because the bracket never sits quite straight on the seatpost (by curious design), its appeal and effectiveness is slightly limited. That said, it's nice that it's there and makes the most of the design such as it is.

So, we have here a light, surprisingly sturdy, well-made and very effective rear mudguard that's easy to fit (and because of the extra clearance, easy to clean). At its rrp of £8.99, it's a real steal – and if you're not keen on fitting a full-length 'traditional' rear mudguard, it's a no-brainer.

Verdict

A great value and great performing rear mudguard, pure and simple