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review
RRP Rear Guard£8.99
VERDICT:
Tricky to set up in the first instance, but after that an extremely practical mudguard
Weight:
33g
Contact:
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.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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The RRP Rear Guard isn't to be confused with a proper mudguard, but this quick fix guard is ideal as a last minute solution and it will keep you fairly clean.
It's designed for all bikes, so I used it on my road (Giant Defy) and mountain (Merida Juliet) bikes. If your bike can't be fitted with mudguards, this is a decent solution to stop you getting covered in muck.
The guard fits to the underside of your saddle and it's a good location to stop spray ending up on your back. Fitting it initially is quite tricky. There are two velcro straps that attach it to your bike and these do keep it firmly in place. I did have to look online for additional fitting instructions. The instructions on the guard became much clearer when I watched a video on how to fit it. They cleverly added a code on the packaging for you to scan that will take you to the video.
After making sure the straps go in the correct holes and you have the front locking arm securely fitted and cut, you are good to go. Once you know what you are doing though, it is very quick to set it up and you can do this in seconds.
When in place the mudguard doesn't move. It's really secure and feels like it can take a lot. And it did. I took my mountain bike on some pretty muddy trails just to give the Rear Guard a good run. There was bound to be some splash back, but the guard seemed to take the brunt of it leaving me clean(ish).
It worked just as well on my road bike in wet conditions. It doesn't work as well as full mudguards, but that isn't its intention or design. It is a last minute quick fix solution that does its job. And for those concerned about adding weight, it's a very light 33g.
The guard itself is really flexible and won't break easily, making it feel durable and worth the money. At £8.99 it's pretty cheap.
For a thin piece of plastic that isn't exceptionally long (in fact it's quite short at about 31cm), it's deceiving in appearance. A surprisingly effective mudguard for days and rides when you may not have full guards fitted.
Verdict
Tricky to set up in the first instance, but after that an extremely practical mudguard
road.cc test report
Make and model: RRP Rear Guard
Size tested: Black
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 guard is aimed at cyclists needing a quick fitting mudguard and is suitable for road, mountain and CX bikes. RRP say "The RearGuard is simply a 'game changer' in the last minute fast fitting REAR mudguard field, nothing is as secure". The guard is secure and easy to use after you get it set up initially.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Ideal for road mountain and cyclo-cross bikes
One size fits all
Velcro fitting strap included
Made in the UK
33g
Rate the product for quality of construction:
10/10
The plastic bends and doesn't feel like it will break easily.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
As a quick solution to stop you getting filthy, this mudguard is very good at what it does.
Rate the product for durability:
9/10
I can see this lasting a long time and being used over and over again.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
10/10
It is incredibly light.
Rate the product for value:
9/10
As a mudguard it isn't too expensive for the job it does.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall the Rear Guard was excellent. It kept me clean and dry.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
I liked the practicality of this guard as a last minute fix.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
It was confusing to set up in the first instance.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
About the tester
Age: 34 Height: 158cms Weight: 61kg
I usually ride: Giant defy My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,
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6 comments
I've done well over 1000 miles on two bikes with my original ass saver, never had it detach. Not sure what the problem is. I can't get it to fold under the saddle like it's meant to but that's a non-issue.
Yup. One commute for the ass saver. It's a cash waster.
Just completed the very wet and mucky Flanders Sportive.
The cobbles were literally littered with Ass Savers.
Mine was lost early on.
This looks a much better prospect.
Looks a smidge wider than the asssaver, selling point is the security though .. this isn't coming off unless you want it to.
Does this provide better protection than the 'asssaver'?
After buying something similar for a mountain bike I was surprised by how effective it was. I've been using a cheap version from Planet X on my road bike for a few months.
It's not good enough to protect others draughting, but it certainly keeps your backside dry.