You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hi all,
I have a 2017 (red/black) Boardman CX Team. 95% of use will be for my short road commute to work. Every now and then I would like to use it to go for a cycle round the woods/long gravel ride/bike packing.
I want mudguards for my commute (I don't wear riding kit when commuting). I previously had SKS Raceblade Pro XLs on my old bike, which performed very well, although they weren't that sturdy (don't think I would want to use them off road). I also ziptied the mounts on for extra stiffness and stop opportunistic theft (I'm in London).
It looks like I should either:
Mudguards which are easy to remove, and therefore don't need to be too sturdy, so I take them off when I ride offroad. I'm used to getting muddy when MTB, so don't think I will mind too much getting muddy (although riding in a group offroad may be annoying without guards?). I guess I'm not going to find guards easier to remove (but still decent) than Raceblades?
OR
Mudguards which are not necessarily easy to remove, but are sturdy enough for use offroad. I currently just have Schwalbe Marathon 28Cs on, but plan to get some offroad tyres soon, up to 40c (which should just fit). Any suggestions on guards that will be sturdy enough and fit over a 40c tyre?
Any thoughts? People that have a bike they use for both commuting and offroad - what do you do for mudguards?
Thanks,
Duane.
Put some SKS blumel 53mm on my London road commuter about a month ago. Fit well, really sturdy once set up properly and fit over my 42mm tyres perfectly as well.
Originally intended to take them off for weekend thrashing, but have ended up just leaving them on as they only rattle slightly on rocky descents.
As above, but 45mm using 35cc Conti Cyclocross speed tyres. Were pretty easy to fit and will be on the bike until the dryer months. Done the job perfectly so far.
another Bluemels user with 37c tyres. They're a bit rattly at times but you can take them on and off in 5 minutes - 7 bolts to undo. I prefer the safety clip fixings that come with SKS guards as you can leave them on the bike and just unplug the stays when you need to
got PDW full metal fenders on my Gravel/commuter/tourer.
no rattles and rigid enough that i can run them over 42c nanos no worries.
I've the exact same bike as you Duane, but with 35c tyres, and fitted a set of 45mm SKS Chromoplastics from Merlin before Christmas. There's a range of sizes to suit different tyre widths, so if you want wider you'll just need to shop around. Bit of a fiddle to get them aligned initially, but after that they're an absolute night & day transformation.
First ride out was at night down boggy bridleways and towpaths after a week of rain - couldn't see how effective they were when riding, but I was practically bone dry when I got home. I fitted them pretty snugly, but they still haven't clogged up yet. Nor have they developed a rattle or otherwise been in any way noticeable, aside from keeping me dry.
Still kicking myself for not having just bought a set the previous winter...
Properly mounted full length guards (like the SKS ones) are fine off road on one of these bikes.
Had mine on for thousands of miles. The only rattle is from the front if I ride with one hand.
I can supply you an unused set of these: SKS Velo 42 with stays for £15.
They have been unpacked, I started fitting them on my 29er with 38mm CX tyres, but then I realised that:
- front one would look horrendously bad on a 100mm corrected rigid P2 fork
- the rear bracket is L-shaped, to fit the brace with a hole drilled horizontally (my bike has one drilled vertically).
They feel very solid, come with stainless steel stays.
Thanks for the replies.
I'm looking at getting some 40mm ish mud tyres - I think I will struggle to find mudguards which fit in the frame/fork and can handle a 40mm tyre. Which again makes me lean towards something which is easier to remove rather than something suitable for offroad...
Current thoughts are SKS Raceblade Pro XL, or Bluemels (the 53 wide version may just fit, in which case maybe they will be OK offroad?)
Medoromas - thanks for the offer - will check them out. How much for postage?
Thanks,
Duane.
– the rear bracket is L-shaped, to fit the brace with a hole drilled horizontally (my bike has one drilled vertically).
for this you can just drill out the rivets on the bracket and put a bolt through one of the resulting holes . Or if its a sliding bracket, remove it and drill your own hole.
Which again makes me lean towards something which is easier to remove rather than something suitable for offroad
During the winter I fit SKS thermoplastic things, but the rest of the time I have the metal brackets fitted for [url= http://www.zefal.com/en/mudguards-city-and-leisure/78-classic.html ]these[/url] and just slap em on when needed (or might be). They may look shit, but then I think all mudguards do. I straightened the rear bracket for my Tripster as it only has a vertical mount hole.
They do the job and were about 7 quids.
thanks for the offer – will check them out. How much for postage?
It's a large box, but not heavy. I think myhermes could take it for
£3.99. Let me know Duane.