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As I get older (and even less fashion conscious) I love riding my bikes ( currently rigid) during the winter months with full length mudguards . As to be expected , when riding anything lumpy or at speed the guards start shaking about and occasionally contact the tyre . I've countered this on my Surly Ogre by leaving loads of clearance but would like to stiffen it all up a bit . It probably doesn't help having a long mudflap at the front either but getting home with a fairly dry bike and body is wonderful.
Anyhow..presumably I can try stiffer stays .?.in which case what have people found to be better than that which comes with a quality set ( I run Planet X cascadia 29er which are well made )
other options seem to be
1/ changing the actual guard for a stiffer material or somehow reinforcing it
2/adding more stays?
3/extending the mounting point on the fork with something very rigid so the stay length is reduced
your thoughts ideas and advice would be appreciated.
1/ works.
Go to B&Q and get a length of flat aluminium strap from the section they sell brass and alloy tubing and assorted rods. Bend it to the interior curve of your mudguard, drill some countersunk holes so there's no projections, and fasten it to the underside.
Otherwise, make up some more rigid stays, which is what I currently use on my fatbike.. (using alloy tubing again from B&Q)
Thanks Epi ...I thought you'd be along to advise .I have some Pugsleys to do also and have seen your threads before. I'm not clear on the countersinking reason.Surely you would be attaching the internal strap by using self tappers from the outside of the guard then removing any tip that protrudes through underneath.The screw head is therefore on the outside and can't be countersunk into the actual guard as it's too thin. please help an old brain!
Once everything else has broke i just cable tie guard to stay.
Buy a fibreglass repair kit and reinforce the inside of the flexing areas. Use carbon fibre if you're feeling fancy.
Putting the screw from inside, through the strap and guard>
I reckon bigger stays do the job better though.
If you click through from these pics, you see how I do it.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5095/5522731761_f5873361f4_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5095/5522731761_f5873361f4_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9q2rK8 ]Heat gun to soften plastic[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/epicyclo/ ]epicyclo[/url], on Flickr">Pugsley mudguard
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/15655585913_ca68cf0201_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/15655585913_ca68cf0201_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pRqYg4 ]Mudguard fitting - front clamp[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/epicyclo/ ]epicyclo[/url], on Flickr">More mudguards (carbon fatty)