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I've currently just got an "Ass Saver" type thing on my gravel bike. And it's not really saving my ass from much.
Had "Marsh Guard" style thing on my old gravel bike, that did a bit, but not a lot.
With the delightful summer weather we're having, I'm bringing forward my plan to get better guards. Currently looking at a Gravelhugger for the front and possibly a Win Wing for the rear.
What are you lot using and how's it working?
No bosses on my frame, so sks speedrockers. They're excellent 👌. Don't fit the widest tyres however. I'm on 40c and wouldn't want to go much bigger if at all.
SKS speedrocker. Once set up, they are a doddle to take on and off in a couple of minutes. Really stable on the bike even on crappy off road riding.
You'll still get some spray/mud over your feet and shins, but the rest of you, and the bike, will remain largely filth-free.
I have a WinWing for the rear and it works well for a quick release option
I would like to get something like Sks speed rocker but they state a max tyre of 42mm, but I run 45mm which is a shame as they look good
I have a WinWing for the rear and it works well
Me too, pretty much left it on since buying earlier in the year - don't bother with the front, no real issues.
And with 50c tyres, no space for anything frame mounted.
Mrs_oab has Bontrager NCS mudguards.
They are much better than her previous SKS Bluemels - easier to fit, stiffer and no rattles.
I have ridden a bike with SKS Al Edges on and they seemed good.
I was thinking of a Gravelhugger but it's not going to work well with the angle of my seatstays. Win Wing looks like a better bet so I'm definitely keen to hear any feedback.
Gravel huggers on my TwinSix. All works well.
If you've got the bosses and clearance, then the already-mentioned SKS Edge AL. 56mm version only just covers my 700x50 tyres. Very robust with no rattling if set up correctly.
SKS do a wider 65mm version of the Speedrocker - the VeloFlexx.
Full metal Kinesis ones. Does scare me slightly that one day I'll get a stick lodged in there and I'll go flying!
Cheers folks, dunno why but I wasn't thinking of fixed guards with struts. Maybe 'cos I mainly ride off road and MTB style solutions seem more familiar.
Gravel Hugger and Win Wing here. Keeps most of the muck off me and some of the bike, and I like their low weight and ease of install/removal.
Feet still get sprayed when riding through deep puddles, as does my back due to the low rear seat stays on my Revolt pulling the wing forward. Will add some tape to extend the actual wing bit this autumn.
Gravel Hugger and Win Wing here. Keeps most of the muck off me and some of the bike
That's good to hear, are you riding through mud off-road?
If you've got the mounts, and the guards will be on most of the time, I default to Velo-Orange in the prerequisite width and finish. Had them on at least 3 different bikes over the years and swear by them. Unless you want to easily take them on and off that is...
Gravel hugger both ends for me. Would be nice to have something that stopped the front spray onto feet and lower leg like real winter guards, but with winter boots it's fine. Only thing I add is plenty of tape on the front and an old inner tube wrap on the back to stop possible paint wear from the mounting. Really solid and I've never trapped anything.
I've just put mine back on! SKS Edge. Only thing i d'ont like is the rear protudes a bit too far, on the odd occasion i lift it on its rear wheel to wheel it through a narrow gap it sometimes scrapes on the floor.
Gravel hugger both ends for me. Would be nice to have something that stopped the front spray onto feet and lower leg like real winter guards, but with winter boots it’s fine. Only thing I add is plenty of tape on the front and an old inner tube wrap on the back to stop possible paint wear from the mounting.
I use mastic tape under the ziptie points, works a treat.
Next thread might be what waterproof boots for gravel, yeah.
Another vote for the Win Wing, works far better than I expected/hoped. Really good bit of kit.
I use it on my flat bar rigid MTB off road and it just seems to stop everything off the back wheel coming up.
I've got a gravel hugger for both ends. The front is permanently on and the rear goes on for when i know its going to be really bad. I'm too much of a tart to ride with the rear one too often as it looks awful.
That’s good to hear, are you riding through mud off-road?
When I can't avoid it 🙂 mainly South East bridleway slop - it's been dry down here for a while until recently..
The wing is least effective for me at higher road speeds riding through water, spray misses my backside but hits my back due to not being able to push it far enough rearward because of the low seat stays.
Deals with mud at general off-road speed much more effectively. I like the design and think it also looks way better than most rear mudguard options and takes seconds to fit/remove. It also lets you pop the bike vertically on its rear wheel to get through kissing gates and the like.
Front gravel hugger keeps stuff out of my face and keeps most of my legs and down tube clear.
That's great info thanks Davy, sounds like the right choice for me as I'm unlikely to be doing much road in the wet and have to squeeze the bike through plenty of gates, etc.
Gravel hugger front.
Win Wing seems OK so far, abit prone to knocks so may go a few mm of centre so ocd may kick in!
Put it on for a 300km gravel event,.set it as low as possible above tyre for best results.
It Keeps muck spray down below approx seat post bolt level . Before that a ass saver was my choice, ok on mud and slower speeds but on a fast v.wet tarmac descent wet bum!
Win wing a good minimum option.
this is my atlas with the SKS edges on. they been hacked about a bit to make them fit well, the front was originally one piece but the profile didn't fit well in the fork bridge so I cut it into two, drilled some new holes and used some old SKS brackets to fit. i still get a bit of spray on my feet but not much.
in the original length, the rear bounced on the top of the wheel over rough ground and caught on the ground if wheeled on the back wheel so I shortened it enough to deal with both of those. no good for a group ride in the wet but thats something I'm never going to do on this bike.
in the 'summer' I just run a gravelhugger on the front.
Same as @abingham mentioned above, the velo-orange one are great. Maybe a PITA to fit/remove but they are so solid and quiet once in place I'm happy to leave them on all year.
I've got SKS Edge AL but contrary to what others have said I get a bit of a rattle/creak which I think if coming from the seat stay mount. Anyway else have this?
I put the mudguards back on last night in preparation for my commute this morning, it is August after all, and there is definitely a noise coming from the seat stay bridge connector. On the SKS ALs it's has a hinge in it to enable it to be fixed to both vertical and horizontal mounting holes and I think the hinge is that's making the noise. Any suggestions, sensible or otherwise welcome
I've got Speedrockers for full awful weather. I was using a Mudhugger gravel guard on the front and that worked fine with the Panaracer 40c, the WTB Riddler 40c, but wont fit the Terreno Dry 38c tyres I've just fitted. The Terrenos are way bigger than the larger size other tyres. On the back I use a Fender Bender.
Sks edge on the vagatank. Very pleased with them.
https://flic.kr/p/2oTz472
Berthoud stainless on the pinklespeed. Meh. Rattly and not fun to fit.
https://flic.kr/p/2ofPKJX
Gravel rockers on the Boone. Good in the main.
https://flic.kr/p/2mwLC2s
I use sks speedrockers but find them pretty poor. I find on rougher terrain they lose their purchase and fall down and then rub on the tyres. Better if I dont add the short front section to the front guards as that seems to be the worst culprit.
Which width Edge AL is everyone using and with what tyres?
I want to clear some 43c gravelkings on my CDA.
Well, I've ordered a Gravelhugger and Win Wing - based on the feedback here. So thanks for that.
I can't see full, fixed guards working for my riding but they're clearly the best choice for some.
Anyone running Gravel Huggers with 50mm tyres?
Summer - gravel hugger front. Winter ski speed rocker front, win wing rear. Win-wing is brilliant
Got a 10% off code for ass-savers if anyone needs it ( GARYW_10 )
I use a win-wing on my hardtail too
Anyone running Gravel Huggers with 50mm tyres?
Tried with wtb resolutes and Hutchinson touaregs both 50mm and unless your mud is like slurry it'll clog and stop the wheel turning. The clay and leaf mulch around here has meant many a bike carry.
Anyone running Gravel Huggers with 50mm tyres?
Tried with wtb resolutes and Hutchinson touaregs both 50mm and unless your mud is like slurry it'll clog and stop the wheel turning. The clay and leaf mulch around here has meant many a bike carry.
Thanks for the heads up. My riding is probably more off road focused. Maybe I just need to stick to the 45mm in winter
Speed Rockers on the CX bike around the gravel as there are no eyelets. They are ok but not long enough to keep your feet clean or your mates, both of which are really the point as anything keeps your arse dry.
All the bikes that will take them either have good old full coverage SKS/Bluemels or in the case of the Sonder, the full guards that came with it. All have big mudflaps fitted as needed for above levels of protection.
Kinesis Fend Off Shorty looks good for the rear but not much stock around at present.
Kinesis Fend Off Shorty looks good for the rear but not much stock around at present.
Stuck some cheap blumels on mine last week, they’ve been super silent so far and rock solid. I’ve not been able to test them properly off road yet but I’m confident based on previous experiences.
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let’s try that again
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SKS edge Al.
^ these. Stiffer than the usual SKS guards, wide enough for my 50mm tyres.
I'm also a big Bontrager NCS fan. They are better designed and built than any of the SKS guards I've had. They are silent, stiff, much easier to fit. But, they don't do over about 40mm tyre 🙁
Stealth add: I have a pair of SKS Bluemel Edge, 56 mm, opened but unused, if anyone wants to make an offer. Been meaning to sell them. They don’t fit my bike (a Revolt).
I ended up going for standard SKS Bluemels and drilled out the braces. Was a small faff, but they fit well.
Another vote for SKS Speedrockers if your frame has no mounts. They came with bits of clear tape to protect the frame but found them too small so used electrical tape which seems to work well.
Other bike has SKS Chromoplastics which do require mounts but more solid and come in a variety of widths. No rattles with either.
I'm also a big Bontrager NCS fan. They are better designed and built than any of the SKS guards I've had. They are silent, stiff, much easier to fit. But, they don't do over about 40mm tyre 🙁
I've fitted these recently 45mm I think they say
*Edit - don't know where my photo went
Can't believe I never tried before but I've just offered a 29er mud hugger up to the rear if my Camino and it looks like it would be spot on. It sits to the outside of the stays but doesn't go outside if them. Just as on the MTB the guard sits to the inside of the stays.
SKS al 46 here used most days to get to/from work on a mix of road , footpaths, and on chunkier trails on my days off
DP again
The pic I didn't manage to post, 4 posts ago....
Had a set of SKS Speedrocker on both mine and the GF's gravel bike. Worked well and they're fairly quick to fit/remove. Saying that I've not used them in over 18 months or more..... The joys of being in Italy, I guess.