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How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

By Jessie SwiftLast update: 2023-03-18

Cycling in the depths during the off-season or in the rain can be difficult when moving forward. There are many factors that affect the speed of a bike such as water jets, mud and dirt. This will affect the surface and smoothness of the bike accessories. So investing now in a cycling mudguard will reduce the effects of extreme weather.

However, there are still some riders who will hesitate to add fenders to their bike, there is a reason for it, surely among them are worried about the aesthetics of the bike. Overall, the cycling mudguard will reduce the amount of water, mud and dirt sprayed on the face, all over the bike and the back of the bike.

Besides, they also help you reduce the amount of grit that can impact the moving parts of the bike when riding in wet conditions. They will help bicycle parts last longer. Moreover, a cycling mudguard will keep your bike's surroundings always clean. Anyway, you also need enough accessories to ensure your safety, so choose the right cycling mudguard for the bike and the you participate in.

1. Types of cycling mudguards

Bolt-On cycling mudguard

How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

The bolt-on mudguard is commonly found on touring bikes, commuter bikes, classics, cruisers, dirt bikes, endurance road bikes, and some entry-level mountain bikes. Most of these vehicles will have holes or eyelets drilled directly to allow a place to screw the fenders in place. They are primarily designed for long-term use and all-weather endurance.

However, they still have some downsides you need to be aware of that will not be suitable for vehicles that lack a bracket and there must be a large frame gap between them to install the bolt on mudguard. But as opposed to a disadvantage is an advantage, which is reflected in the safety of bolted fender setups, which are useful for roads and trails in poor condition.

Besides, you should also pay attention to the length of the mudguards for the widest coverage, make sure to keep your feet and feet dry and especially to divert water and dirt away from the transmission system and brake system. In addition, the installation of mudguard pins can be done simply, requiring only simple tools and a little time to install.

Clip on cycling mudguard

How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

If your bike doesn't have pre-drilled mounting points or eyelets, or the bike lacks the frame and brake clearance needed to run the fenders, then the clip-on cycling mudguard is the right choice for any bike. Lightweight so it will be much more performance oriented racers.

In general, they have good coverage, ensuring good coverage from external influences. But I need to choose full length clips which will provide more coverage. When installed, they will be attached to the front fork, seat post, exhaust pipe or rear seat via rubber, plastic, velcro, and removable straps or brackets. The installation part is relatively simple and does not require many tools.

2. Cycling mudguard for bike

Mudguard for mountain bike

How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

When you're driving in wet and muddy conditions, installing a mudguard can help improve the quality of your ride, as it does by keeping you dry and free of debris. into the eyes. The mudguard for mountain bikes is more sturdily built to deal with rough terrain. Besides, the mudguard layers for mountain bikes must have the effect of deflecting rocks, sticks and other things in common when riding off-road.

Front fenders are usually simple in design and are mainly located under the crown or on the exhaust, and especially these mudguards will stay away from the suspension system and stay in a certain position. As for the rear mudguard or shielding the back from dirt, add a fender mounted on the safety post. Mount on a safety pole, higher than your wheels, this will open up room for suspension and large tires on mountain bikes. Note that they are not suitable for bicycles with dropper safety posts.

Mudguard for road bike

How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

Unlike the mudguard mountain bikes, road bikes are less commonly used. Some manufacturers make the mudguard standard for road bikes, but some don't. In fact, to ensure a more secure fit, some bolt options are suitable for non-standard eyelets.

Although not factory-standard, there are still a number of options specifically for road bikes. Seat mudguards are a great choice as the Ass saver and Velox brands have designed lightweight and discrete clamp-on mudguards, the simple design ensures to prevent water and dirt from spewing out. In general, they are usually attached to the seat rails without tools and can be quickly removed and stored when not in use.

Mudguard for urban bike

How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

Usually full length fenders are very common on urban bikes. They are fixed on the bike, ensuring year-round protection for the driver and the bike. Some brands of the mudguard for urban bikes like Zèal are very popular due to their sturdy construction and secure fit once installed.

3. Length of mudguard

To ensure that the bottom of the saddle is not wet, soak your feet, and avoid spraying water on the back of the person when traveling in a group, long fenders are the right choice. The more the wheels cover, the more spray they will hold.

4. Wheel sizes for cycling mudguard

For different bikes that will run different equivalent wheel sizes, this factor also affects fender fit. In principle, road bikes are 700c and hybrid bikes are 700c or smaller 26 inches in diameter. For mountain bikes it will be 27.5 inches or 29 inches. It is rare to choose the right fender product, so another way to choose is to check the wheel size to make sure you have the right fenders. Usually the wheel size will be listed on the sidewall of the tire.

6. Tire width of cycling mudguard

How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

This is characteristic if anyone rides a hybrid bike, because the tire width on this type of bike is easy to change a lot based on the width of the tire, some use narrow road tires, some are fat MTB style than.

For this you need to make sure the shields are wide enough to accommodate the wheels. Currently, the SKS brand produces fenders with a wide range of accessories in a wide range of widths. So before choosing the mudguard it is advisable to check the tire width, mainly on the face of the tire and each option will usually fit a narrow range of widths.

7. Wheel clearance of cycling mudguard

How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

This feature mainly appears for those who ride road bikes. Usually these bikes have very little clearance between the wheels and the bike frame, wheels and brake calipers, so very few fenders will fit. Moreover, road bikes don't have threaded eyelets for screwing. However, there are now a number of fenders designed for them. With a wheel-tight fit or shorter lengths starting right after the clamping points, mainly attaching to the frame using specialized brackets, lanyards or rubber straps.

8. Threaded eyelets of cycling mudguard

How To Choose Cycling Mudguards

Most mudguards are bolted directly to the bike frame, meaning every bike must have the right components to do this. These include threaded eyelets on the rear of the bike, a wheel drop that matches the frame, and another pin at the top of the fork at the front. Almost a hybrid bike.

9. Front suspension of cycling mudguard

Knowing that bike front suspensions absolutely can't screw a fender in the center of the fork the way rigid frames do, this requires a separate MTB unit. With the alternative there are small guards that fit over the underside of the frame or rubber or stretchy rubber guards that tighten between the stanchions at the top of the forks.

This makes it easy to prevent spray marks where the front wheel of the vehicle will pop. Note that you should check that the layers of fenders that you install absolutely do not touch the wheels when the front suspension is compressed or not.

Conclusion

A bicycle with all the necessary equipment, to support you to have a quality ride and ensure your safety. The cycling mudguard is considered one of the important options to help you achieve better cycling performance.

They do not only help you avoid water jets, mud, stones splashing on clothes, affecting the transmission of the car, but also add to the aesthetics if one chooses the mudguard with a beautiful design. So invest now to ensure the safety of your bike and yourself.

"I'm Jessie, being an author for gearinstant, an office job? No, with internet, I can be a digital nomad everywhere, I enjoyed cycling, running whenever I can. I'd love to share my experience from the gears, useful tips and learned for everybody who have the same passion like me."


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