SKS Speedrocker XL Mudguard Set

The SKS Speedrocker XL Mudguard Set is an excellent option for gravel bikes. The sturdy design is easy to fit and provides good coverage on muddy trails.

Fitting the guards was a relatively easy job with decent instructions on the box. That said, I did turn to a YouTube guide for slightly better step by step instructions. My need to do this was mostly caused by the different straps used for the forks, seat stays and seat tube.

But with this minor hiccup overcome, I got the guards set up securely. The straps all need fastening quite tightly to ensure they stay in place over rough ground. This will leave excess strap, but a quick snip with the kitchen scissors got everything looking tidy.

The final thing to do was fit the extender kit, which clips in snugly.

It’s worth noting at this point that the guards will fit a wide range of road and gravel bikes. There is no need to have threaded eyelets on your frame, nor do you need a seat stay bridge.

You will get coverage on tyres up to 52mm and I found plenty of space around my 45mm Vittoria Terreno T90 mud tyres.

On the road, I was alert to any sign of rattling which, if present, will drive you and your riding mates up the wall. Thankfully, the guards were silent and stayed that way throughout testing.

The main purpose of mudguards is to protect you from mud, and the Speedrocker XLs do a fabulous job. I will admit that in apocalyptically muddy conditions, I did get home with some spots on my feet and lower legs, but I ended each ride far cleaner than I would have otherwise.

I was also significantly happier while riding, and this was for two reasons. Firstly, on wet trails, my backside was dry. I don’t mind getting caked in mud, especially on gravel rides, but I don’t want to spend the whole winter soaked to the bone.

Secondly, with the front guard preventing water from flying up into my face, I could see. Both of these factors improved my enjoyment of gravel rides significantly.

Through significant areas of standing water, I did find the guards became overwhelmed, with water splashing out of the side of the guards. But that said, they still prevented the majority of road spray from hitting me.

Anyone riding behind you will be relatively happy too as the rear wheel coverage is extensive. I wouldn’t however rate the performance to the level of the excellent Kinesis Fend Off guards (£65) as their full metal, fixed construction allows them to be a fair bit longer.

The appeal of the Speedrocker’s design is the ability to easily remove the guards. I did this the night before a local cyclocross race and the process takes less than a minute.

£62 is a fair chunk to pay for a set of mudguards, though over a tenner of this is accounted for by the extension flap.

The Mudhugger Rear Gravel Hugger design is £26.99, but the coverage is significantly less and you’d also have to add the Front Gravelhugger for the same price again. Much the same goes for the Ass Savers Win Wing 2 Gravel, which costs about £24.

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Conclusion

The SKS Speedrocker XL gravel mudguards are a brilliant way to fend off the worst of the winter trails. The guards do a great job of keeping you cleaner and after a little setup faff, they are easy to take on and off.