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Possibly one of my stupider ideas/musings, but does such a thing as a drivechain mudguard exist?
Basically something that keeps the front wheel spray from going straight into the chainset and onwards, useful (potentially) if you don't have a full length guard on the front.
Probably limited to road/gravel bikes given one back rock/log hop gone wrong and it'd be a gonner on an MTB...
I'm thinking something like this...
https://lifehacker.com/create-a-diy-chainset-mudguard-for-your-bike-1508440352
Here you are. A complete bike with one.
https://www.leisureoutlet.com/dutch-style/bikes/outdoor-pursuits/140337-viking-belgravia-26-latte-heritage-bike--18?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgJSskcu94AIVjOR3Ch2nCA0BEAQYAyABEgKMoPD_BwE
Or another.
These could become a fashion item.
A Pinion Gearbox?
What about all the crud from the rear wheel?
What about all the crud from the rear wheel?
Back in the day, "ladies" bikes used to have a sort of umbrella type arrangement that went over the mudguard to stop all the splash going onto the ladies' dresses. (Monica Lewinsky please take note!)
I was prepared to return to this and join in with some (self-)ridicule, but:
1) you lot have got that covered
2) I'm not convinced this is a (completely) stupid idea.
What about all the crud from the rear wheel?
This is the thing. I wonder how much of the drivechain crap comes from the front wheel and how much from the back.
On a road/gravel bike, in conditions that are wet but not particularly muddy, I'd guess the majority comes from the front, as most of the stuff from the rear wheel ends up on your arse or the face of the rider behind, if there is one. The rear wheel has to hold onto stuff for over 3/4 of a rotation to make it to the chainstay region, and if you're running slicks and there's little mud around, the watery dirt probably gets flung off pretty quick.
Obviously on an MTB that's not true.
So I'm not thinking of a fully-enclosed 50's thing, more something vaguely similar to this, but perhaps attached to the bb shell just in front of the cranks:
Edit: I'm still aware this is most likely a daft idea, and may only deal with a few % of the issue at best
Edit 2: and it may only work with a single ring
Think that gizmo in your picture is primarily designed to stop skid marks up your arriere!
My DIY version has been on for 2 years, lost the front section (so off to buy a tub of chocolates) and the difference is very noticeable when wet or muddy. I could feel the chain being rough or 'noisy' with in a few meters off road, now its much better.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with riding with Geoff Apps pictured above 30 years ago.....
One day, long after he’s gone to the big bike shop in the sky and probably long forgotten, someone will make a bike exactly like Geoff Apps Cleland and everyone will realise it’s the best off road bike ever.
I’ve ridden Apps own bike and it shouldn’t make sense but it does. The mudguards on it do immediately make a lot of sense though.
Had mudflaps made from old motorbike innertubes ziptied to the frame for years, cover the main pivot bearings and inner/middle chainring from the front, and front mech pivots from the rear. Makes a fair difference to the life of components.
I have a piece of greenhouse guttering cut and moulded to shape and cable tied to the seattube
This is one of the invention ideas I've been carrying for years but never bothered to pursue. I think not would make a big difference.
Tricky to make though with all the frame designs out there. On a HT it could be extended rearwards to protect against mud from the rear tyre perhaps.
The closest thing I've seen (aside from things for urban full coverage thingies above, and the DIY Geoff Apps-like things) is probably the Ass Savers Speed Mullet.
The things Geoff Apps has around the chainset do look an almost perfect minimal solution though
Tricky to make though with all the frame designs out there. On a HT it could be extended rearwards to protect against mud from the rear tyre perhaps.
Could something somewhat generic not be mounted to the BB shell? I'm thinking like a BB mounted chain device, but instead of the chain guides a flexible silicon thing or something
I have a piece of greenhouse guttering cut and moulded to shape and cable tied to the seattube
Any chance of a picture?
The things Geoff Apps has around the chainset do look an almost perfect minimal solution though
That's basically what I designed in my head. I was going to make a form out of some sort of modelling foam then lay on carbon fibre sheet and resin to bodge one together. I reckon it'd be brilliant.
Incidentally, the other brilliant looking solution (if you can put up with SS or hub gears) is called a Heebie Chainglider. It's possible the front part of this would work nicely with 1x, that might be worth a try actually.