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forum
Talk to me about... mudguards
I am sure there's already a thread on this, but navigating the new forum is hopeless.
I have just taken delivery of a new bike and am looking to fit full-length mudguards - I have a full complement of mounts at the dropouts, fork crown, seatstay bridge and bottom bracket, so hopefully not too much cajoling and fettling required.
SKS - I have three sets of SKS guards on other bikes, but I still find their range almost as difficult to navigate as this forum. Can anyone tell me the key differences between e.g. chromoplastics, bluemels, and longboards? I know the longboards are longer and come with extended mudflaps, and some of the models appear to come with an integrated reflector. But does anyone know if the construction is different? I have some 6 yr old chromoplastics which have been ace, and some newer longboards which, despite their extra length, just don't seem to have given good coverage (but maybe that's down to a smaller size differential between tyre and guard on that bike).
Alternatively, I'm considering splashing out on some metal ones from Portland Design Works, Velo Orange, or Berthoud. Any experiences of those?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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14 comments
Hi Quiff I searched for mudguards for ages and eventually went for these https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/accessories-c11/mudguards-c146/ncs-700c-m...
They are superb,and so easy to fit.You can fit a rear light to them,and they come in various sizes.The struts are great and can be adjusted to suit.Best guards I have had.Includes SKS ones and Bluemels.Worth a look.
I've got some Berthoud's on the way- I'll let you know how the fitting goes when they turn up...
Thanks, some good tips there that I hadn't thought of. I should have added I'm looking for something to accommodate a minimum 38 tyre, but most of these options have a size to cater for that. They're intended for a Fairlight Faran 2.0 that I am hoping is going to be a keeper, so think I might invest in one of the metal options.
I've got Tortec Reflectors on my Faran Mk1 but yeah, maybe go for the PDW 45mm. Silver if it's the green model, grey for the orangey one.
You might need a longer bolt and spacers to get them round the front caliper (PDW do a kit). If you go for the 45mm you'll have massive clearance if you decide to run 650B wheels later.
You're getting a really versatile bike there that should last for years. My Mk1 has done commuting, tagalong duties, gravel, and proper muddy stuff. Has run Gravelking SK 33mm, WTB Nano 700x40c, and WTB Sendero 650x47c. And Dom and the rest of the Fairlight team really go out of their way to meet your needs as a customer.
Yeah, your testimonial on the Mk1 in one of those first look articles sold it for me, so thanks for the feedback. I went for the orangey one in a road biased 2x, 700 x 38 gravelking flavour, with (very excited about this) my first dynamo light setup. Now looking to complete its first incarnation with guards and some form of rando rack.
Dyno lights are awesome, I wouldn't commute without them. Just hated the endless remove/charge/replace cycle with battery lights - my commute was usually over an hour each way so I'd burn through USB-charged lights very quickly.
If I was still commuting I'd definitely be upgrading to the Mk2 Faran, just love all the detailing they've done on the new frame.
If one was planning on swapping between 700c and 650b wheels, would something like 700x45mm mudguards be the best choice? As opposed to e.g. 650bx55 mudguards (which should fit over e.g. 700x30 tyres)?
I'm not sure as when I built my Faran I didn't even know 650B existed, and equally didn't expect to be using it on gravel tracks and byways. I fitted my Tortec Reflectors with 700 x 33c tyres in mind and found that in that setup they also coped with 650B "Road Plus" tyres which are usually 46/47mm. I even squeezed 700 x 40c WTB Nano knobblies in without any adjustment being required.
OK, thanks! I've got a Secan on order (spec'd with 650x47 tyres) and just trying to choose accessories...
I might eventually get another 700c wheelset to swap around depending on plans and so would like to keep everything compatible with that option, but then again I might find that the 650b provides enough versitality that I don't bother!
I've been very happy with my Rene Herse (formerly Compass) mudguards. They take a lot longer to install than SKS & the like, but once done they are solid and beautiful.
I had Velo Orange, and had one snap at the chainstay bridge. That was a little disappointing.
The SKS were nice enough and seemed pretty indestructable, but the stays are far thinner and don't wrap around, so they rattle much, much more in comparison to Rene Herse, Velo Orange, Compass, Berthoud, Honjo.
I've used PDWs on my tight clearance bike and they're lovely. Easy to fit (no stay cutting required as long as you have dropout mounts), don't rattle, completely bombproof, and look the part. Now available in lots more sizes to suit wider tyres. Front flaps can go almost all the way down to the road surface if you desire.
I looked at Berthoud & Velo Orange and liked them, they're easy to fit, but reasonably heavy and they didn't really suit my bike. I think they look great if you have silver wheels/groupset, and are worth the investment if you intend to keep the bike for a long time.
On my tourer/commuter I had Tortec Reflectors which were great for commuting. Proper reflector at the back and white reflective stripes on the sides. Took me about an hour to fit, you'll need to cut the stays on these (tip: bolt cutters are easier than hacksaw/Dremel). Once on they stay in place, it's easy to fine-tune the positioning with the eye bolts, and they've lasted well. I'm a ham-fisted bodger and didn't have any trouble getting them on the bike and aligned.
SKS confuse me too. I think Bluemels are basically commuter/touring versions so slightly heavier/more robust. They're all pretty much the same construction. No experience of fitting these as the set I got for my MTB turned out to be too big for my frame.
Kinesis "Fend-off" very similar to PDW and cost a bit less and have been way better than various SKS ones I've used in the past. Added bonus can get them in silver or anodised black and they come with optional mudflaps that you cut out from the packaging.
This might not help but I have portland design works mudguards and they are way better than sks which I have also had. I found the blumels difficult to fit and a bit flimsy.
The PDW ones by contrast are great quality and much easier to fit. I've used them for years on my all year commute down muddy towpaths and they are have performed well. Only downside is they are expensive but IMO it's worth it for the longevity.
Condor cycles seems to be the only Uk stockist. Hope that helps in some way.
After 13 years using a set of SKS Chromoplastic ‘guards, I have just fitted Kinesis Fend-Off ‘guards to my winter bike. These are all metal, well made and not as expensive as PDW. These are full ‘guards and come with cut-out mudflaps, giving great coverage.
I had no difficulty fitting them, following the online instructions and minimal tools. I chose black and they look smart. After a month’s use I can confirm that they do the job perfectly and I can recommend them without hesitation.