Never sworn so much as I have this afternoon

[nickyboy]

Fitting mudguards can't be as hard as everyone makes out, can it? Damn right it is. Currently the bike is in the porch minus wheels and with about half of a mudguard completed.

Couple of questions regarding fitting SKS Chromoplastics to a Raleigh Airlight 100

1) All the bolts of varying lengths appear to be the same diameter. This is fine for the fixing point at the bottom bracket. But the holes for the brackets close to the brakes (front and rear) are too large for the bolts supplied. Any idea what size bolts would be required?

2) Regarding the bottom bracket fixing point for the back mudguard it seems the thread has failed. When I screw the bolt in the "cyclinder" turns so the bolt never fully tightens. Any ideas what do do? It will work completely loose if I leave it. I have heard some have used cable ties, any good?

3) Finally, when I was testing the rear wheel fit (despite the above problems) there was no clearance between the tyre and the bolt that goes into the bottom bracket fixing point. Couldn't jiggle it around to produce clearance. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance. Cup of camomile tea needed now...

 

[VamP]

Drop a few F bombs, and then give up on the notion of mudguards altogether.

 

[screenman]

LBS time.

 

[inkd]

Took me about 45 mins to my hybrid, although I have a box full of odd nuts, bolts and washers. Think I only F once. The youtube video helped me. Good luck.

 

[2old2care]

Fitting mudguards can't be as hard as everyone makes out, can it? Damn right it is. Currently the bike is in the porch minus wheels and with about half of a mudguard completed.

Couple of questions regarding fitting SKS Chromoplastics to a Raleigh Airlight 100

1) All the bolts of varying lengths appear to be the same diameter. This is fine for the fixing point at the bottom bracket. But the holes for the brackets close to the brakes (front and rear) are too large for the bolts supplied. Any idea what size bolts would be required?

2) Regarding the bottom bracket fixing point for the back mudguard it seems the thread has failed. When I screw the bolt in the "cyclinder" turns so the bolt never fully tightens. Any ideas what do do? It will work completely loose if I leave it. I have heard some have used cable ties, any good?

3) Finally, when I was testing the rear wheel fit (despite the above problems) there was no clearance between the tyre and the bolt that goes into the bottom bracket fixing point. Couldn't jiggle it around to produce clearance. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance. Cup of camomile tea needed now...

Hi
1) The bolts should be either m4, m5 or possibly m6, but I doubt it.

2+3) In the bag of bits there should be a small semi "P" shaped bracket which will bolt onto the base of the rear mudguard where it fits onto the bottom bracket fixing point (seatstay bridge) fitting this bracket should allow you to clip/snap the bottom of the guard into place.

Hope this helps.

 

[PeteXXX]

I see the problem... Camomile tea.
Pour it down the sink and crack open a Cider.

Job done!

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

The fun is yet to come with them when you try and fit the end of the support stays into the rear mudguard. Triple arm moment I'm afraid. This video was a massive help when I fitted mine.
View: http://youtu.be/lG_WZVS9SUY

 

[Salad Dodger]

A few years ago, I tried to fit mudguards to an old MTB as part of a plan to make it more suitable for road use. What a nightmare! After an afternoon of struggling to fit them, I went for a ride and with every bump in the road it appeared that one or other of the 'guards would start rubbing on the tyres. I got home and junked the mudguards....

So I sympathise completely with your problems, nickyboy.

 

[BimblingBee]

Have you got a stand?

 

[andrew_s]

Last time I fitted an SKS mudguard, it came with a clip like the lower one in this eBay image

The end of the mudguard clips in so the hook is outside, and the little tang on the inside part locates in the hole near the end of the mudguard. Then the hook just clips over the chainstay bridge.
Another possibility is to just use a zip tie through the mudguard hole and round the bridge. Zip ties also work well at the brake bridge and fork crown, provided you make the holes for them in the right place

 

[Crankarm]

Fitting mudguards is a piece of cake.

 

[I like Skol]

Must admit, fitted mine with no problems over two years ago and remember it being time consuming but trouble free. The worst part was having to fit it all once then remove to cut the stays to the right length. Also, a well stocked odds'n'bobs tray is a boon!

 

[potsy]

Must admit, fitted mine with no problems over two years ago and remember it being time consuming but trouble free. The worst part was having to fit it all once then remove to cut the stays to the right length. Also, a well stocked odds'n'bobs tray is a boon!

Same here, took a while as it was the first time I'd done it, but I had another bike with similar guards already fitted so kept that as a reference point, always good to have a tinful of 'bits'

 

[slowmotion]

The SKS instructions are absolute shite. It's a well known joke. The mudguards are OK though.

 

[slowmotion]

A "tinful of bits" is essential.