Should I install full mudguards?

[crazyjoe101]

Hello, I'm contemplating whether or not I want to install a set of full mudguards such as these to my bike.

I currently have a set which clips to the bottom of the frame and top of the seatpost respectively (the kind seen on a lot of MTBs), however I did not choose them, I do not like them and I find them not to function particularly well.
My bike is a hybrid and has a set of Schwalbe Hurricanes (700x40c), there are mountings for a full set. It is used primarily on the road in a commuting role, regardless of weather or season but I also take it off road in the local woods along paths which can become a bit slippery after rain, with mud flicking up etc. Still, I do not do any serious off-roading and certainly don't ride down excessively muddy paths regularly, that said I do enjoy cycling off road as my friends have MTBs.

My main concern is that many people at the club I visited do not use mudguards and some have said they detract from performance and that is my main worry as at the moment my steed rolls rather well, surely mudguards won't slow me down so much? Normally I would not be concerned but I am planning to increase my distances, my next target being 50 miles at a reasonable pace.

Please can I have some advice and opinions? I've tried to be as clear as possible but feel free to ask me questions.

 

[User6179]

Hello, I'm contemplating whether or not I want to install a set of full mudguards such as these to my bike.

I currently have a set which clips to the bottom of the frame and top of the seatpost respectively (the kind seen on a lot of MTBs), however I did not choose them, I do not like them and I find them not to function particularly well.
My bike is a hybrid and has a set of Schwalbe Hurricanes (700x40c), there are mountings for a full set. It is used primarily on the road in a commuting role, regardless of weather or season but I also take it off road in the local woods along paths which can become a bit slippery after rain, with mud flicking up etc. Still, I do not do any serious off-roading and certainly don't ride down excessively muddy paths regularly, that said I do enjoy cycling off road as my friends have MTBs.

My main concern is that many people at the club I visited do not use mudguards and some have said they detract from performance and that is my main worry as at the moment my steed rolls rather well, surely mudguards won't slow me down so much? Normally I would not be concerned but I am planning to increase my distances, my next target being 50 miles at a reasonable pace.

Please can I have some advice and opinions? I've tried to be as clear as possible but feel free to ask me questions.

Dont know what club your in but every club rider I know use full mudguards , you cant go a club run in the wet without them .

 

[vickster]

I'd want mudguards for commuting in wet weather - keep bum and feet dry, nor to mention the bike cleaner

I can't see lightweight mudguards having much performance effect on a hybrid on 40mm tyres

 

[andrew_s]

If you are actually competing, mudguards do slow you down a little - maybe an extra 20 or 30sec on your 10 mile TT time. The extra for full mudguards over clip-ons is minimal. It is as nothing compared to using a hybrid rather than a race bike. If you aren't competing, you won't be going absolutely flat out, and the difference in effort between guards and no guards will be undetectable.
The genuine problem with mudguards is in off-road use, when they can pack up with mud under the fork crown or at the rear brake. In bad cases this can require you to stop in order to scrape out the mud with the end of a tyre lever or similar.

As for the FNRttC blog, Simon is welcome to his opinion, but in mine it's typical of wannabe racers - all about the pose factor and nothing to do with practicality. I expect he would be similarly scathing about using a triple chainset, if asked.

As far as keeping you and the bike clean is concerned, the more of the tyre is covered, the better. An additional flap on the end of the front mudguard is needed to keep spray off your feet and the chain/chainset, and a rear flap down to within about 4" of the road is required to keep spray off any riding companion you may have. In our club, those with no/inadequate mudguards get sent to the back, with all the problems that brings in being unable to see potholes etc.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

What do you think? would you be happier with proper mudguards or none at all? its your bike, your legs that you're working and your decision. Don't forget there are some obsessive nutters where weight is concerned fretting over whether or not to use titanium bolts for their bottle cage

How much performance can you manage on a commute with other vehicles, traffic lights etc that a set of mudguards will be a critical difference to, making it worth the explosive diarrhoea up the back look, chucking more grinding paste & road crap into your mech and the faces of people behind you if you're part of a regular London peloton of commuters - see how they would take to being told to drop back a few metres to avoid getting a face full of your tyre spray - it's ok to quote info from a subscription membership group of like minded individuals doing occasional rides but you're talking primarily about a daily(?) commute in all weathers, you should bear that in mind when coming to your decision.
If you regularly threw road crap into my face commuting on the basis of that reasoning we'd soon be having serious words about it.

but if performance is becoming such an issue in your mind then forget worrying about mudguards, ditch the hybrid and its balloon tyres altogether. You'll go far far better on road with a skinny tyred drop bar roadie and far better off it on a knobbly shod MTB or 29er. You're already making serious compromises to *performing* in both disciplines with a hybrid (I ride one very happily - its not a bike snob thing saying this), realistically what more detriment can a handful of grams of mudguard make?

it may sound like a joke, but you'll get the same sort of weight saving going for a good dump and emptying your bladder before you ride

 

[musa]

I was out today in the nice weather with full guards on my steel bike. Too hell with them.

 

[crazyjoe101]

Thank you all for your replies; they've confirmed what I had in the back of my mind.

Dont know what club your in but every club rider I know use full mudguards , you cant go a club run in the wet without them .

It was the beginners’' group so perhaps the fellows in the higher groups who cycle closer together will all have them.

I can't see lightweight mudguards having much performance effect on a hybrid on 40mm tyres

Thanks, the tyres aren't quite as 'bad' as they sound, small contact area with the road, better that the cheap 35c slicks I did have anyway.

If you are actually competing ... [Omission] ... difference in effort between guards and no guards will be undetectable.
The genuine problem with mudguards is in off-road use ... [Omission] ... tyre lever or similar.

... [Omission] ...

As far as keeping you and the bike clean is concerned, the more of the tyre is covered, the better. An additional flap on the end of the front mudguard is needed to keep spray off your feet and the chain/chainset, and a rear flap down to within about 4" of the road is required to keep spray off any riding companion you may have. In our club, those with no/inadequate mudguards get sent to the back ...[Omission].

From what you and others have said I won't notice a detrimental effect at my level and I don't think I'd be sensible for me to even attempt off-roading to the point where I was encountering that much mud. I think I'd break a bone way before that without dedicated MTB tyres. The tips on the mudguard flaps were particularly interesting.

but if performance is becoming such an issue in your mind then forget worrying about mudguards, ditch the hybrid and its balloon tyres altogether. You'll go far far better on road with a skinny tyred drop bar roadie and far better off it on a knobbly shod MTB or 29er. You're already making serious compromises to *performing* in both disciplines with a hybrid (I ride one very happily - its not a bike snob thing saying this), realistically what more detriment can a handful of grams of mudguard make?
...[Omission].

Valuable points about spraying water everywhere, as made by the others' responses too, I am aware of the disadvantage I'm at with a hybrid but it's all what I have (I didn't even buy it, I was given it) but I still really enjoy being able to go virtually anywhere I need to with it and think it's a great bike.

I'm definitely getting a set, just need to find a set with appropriate flaps or just grab the ones I originally linked and whack some on myself.

Thanks again,
Joe.

 

[mcshroom]

Oh and you will notice that a number of us do ride the FNRttCs with full mudguards. Simon's rule is more about practicality for the ride than anything else (and his dislike of the things) because apparently there have been some major delays caused by mudguard problems on rides before. (I do wonder why Marathon Pluses aren't compulsory though after the time we had to spend fixing punctures on Saturday )

Most of my bikes have mudguards all year round. The advantages are that they protect areas o the bike from being sprayed with water so look after headset bearings, rear lights, etc. They also prevent you getting a stripe up your back when riding in (or after) rain and keep the bike cleaner. They make little if any difference to speeds in day to day cycling and anyone who tells you they slow them down in a beginners group is a little too obsessed by the racing mags IMHO.

If you are worried about speed, changing to 32mm or even 28mm tyres should be possible and would feel quicker but in general just keep everything pumped up and ride.

On the types of guard. I like SKS chromoplastics myself, but have a range and they all work pretty well. It's unusual to get built in mudflaps so you may need to make your own. There is advice out there on numerous methods of doing so if you have a good google.

 

[Profpointy]

Apparently mudguards are "not cool"

As a corrolory, one must assume it is therefore "cool" to appear to have had a bad attack of explosive dysentry coating the bike, one's arse and back of jumper right up to the top of your head.

For the record, I'm not bothered about being cool, so have had full mudguards on my bikes since I leared the above lesson aged about 14 (which was some while ago I might add)

 

[Davidc]

The deterioration in the bike's parts after a few wet and muddy rides will cause far more slowing than the mudguards ever will.

Anyway - Bikes look so much better with mudguards on them.

My new mudguards are these in silver - when I get round to fitting them. It's a routine change - the present ones are 5 years old and I don't trust the plastic to stay in good condition much longer than that.

 

[evo456]

Can recommend the SKS beavertail XL for chunky tyres- good fit with 45c tyres, so 40c should be no problem. Inexpensive plastic items that can be removed in seconds for around £10. Are mud guards worth it? I get my answer every time I look on the underside of the mud guards when I get to clean the bike.

 

[Rob3rt]

During the summer and/or when racing, no guards.

In the winter, guards with the most coverage your bike can accept. You won't be popular on club runs if you are "that guy" who covers whoever is riding behind them in whatever crap is on the road!

 

[ianrauk]

As for the FNRttC blog, Simon is welcome to his opinion, but in mine it's typical of wannabe racers - all about the pose factor and nothing to do with practicality. I expect he would be similarly scathing about using a triple chainset, if asked.

We have had a few technical's with mudguards on FNR's. It can be a right royal pain in the arse fiddling around with things holding the whole ride up. Nothing to do with wannabe racers and the FNR is as far as you can get from a racing club or ride.

edit: Posted before seeing @mcshroom 's reply.

 

[jdtate101]

I would never use mudguards simply because my racer doesn't have clearance for them, my Cross bike is used for cross and hence lots of mud, and 'guards' don't really go on a TT bike.
However if I had a commuter bike, then yes, I would have guards.

 

[musa]

In a city like London i think 0.1 of a mile in you'd realise not to stay too close to the person in front. Unless you've been told to stay on their wheel :S