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review
Mudguards
Mr Crud Crud Catcher 09Mr Crud Crud Catcher 09

Mr Crud Crud Catcher 09

8
by dave atkinson
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Feb 24, 2009

0
£9.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Still one of the best downtube mounted guards out there
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.crudproducts.com
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The original... and still the best? Well certainly one of the best. The Crud rear Raceguard has has a bit of an overhaul this year (review coming soon) but the Crud Catcher got only a few minor tweaks, testament to the fact that there's not a lot that's broke about it. Okay it's not as effective as a full guard but sometimes you don't want (or can't fit) one of those, and it's an excellent solution for many bikes. I've always had some kind of downtube guard on my urban bike, which has Pace RC31 forks and no option for a standard front mudguard; the Crud Catcher has replaced a cheaper all-plastic offering and there's no way I'm going back...

Verdict

Did you enjoy using the product?: yes

Would you consider buying the product?: yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend?: yes

Overall verdict

Still one of the best downtube mounted guards out there

road.cc test report

Make and model: Mr Crud Crud Catcher 09

Price: 9.99

Weight: 0

Size tested: n/a

About the tester

Age: 36

Height: 190cm

Weight: 105kg

I usually ride: Schwinn Moab, urbanised with 700cs

My best bike is: Trek 1.5 with upgrades

I've been riding for: 10-20 years

I ride: Every day

I would class myself as a: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling

Test report

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Crud Catcher is a downtube-mounted mudguard aimed primarily at mountain bikes but also useful on hybrids, or any bike that won't easily take a standard 'guard

Tell us some more about the techincal aspects of the product?

The Crud Catcher is a firm plastic guard with a rubber nose section and a rubber downtube grip in the shape of the Crud logo. It attaches with two O-rings

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

any further comments on construction?

Nicely put together with good attention to detail

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

any further comments on performance?

Okay it's not as good as a full mudguard (or even a raceguard) but it's a useful addition to any bike, really. It noticeably reduces road spray on your clothes, takes a second to fit and weighs next to nothing.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

any further comments on durability?

So far so good, my urban bike gets pretty rough treatment and the Crud Catcher is plenty tough enough to cope. It gets knocked out of position fairly frequently but a quick shove is all it needs...

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

any further comments on weight?

 

any further comments on comfort?

 

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

any further comments on value?

Good return on investment for your city bike

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well. It's not as effective as a full guard but it's a real boon where proper mudguards won't fit, or aren't practical

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The rubber nose makes it easy to get the guard right up by the headtube, and the O-rings are an easy way to fit the Crud Catcher to the frame.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not really a dislike but it'd be nice to get two sizes of O-ring, the ones supplied are a bit on the large side for some road frames

Overall rating: 8/10

 

Mr Crud
Crud Catcher
Mudguards
Dave Atkinson

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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