SKS Longboard mudguards are no more :(

[wafter]

Since getting a pair of these on my CdF in 2020 I've become a devout convert to these mudguards - which offer massive coverage, look good and didn't cost the earth.

They seemed to be getting a bit thin on the ground when I was looking for a set for the Fuji a few years ago, and sadly it seems that they've been discontinued. Wish I'd stockpiled some now

SKS do seem to offer some alternatives with the least-different apparently being the Blumels Style - which has a more modern, angular aesthetic, greater widths (46, 56, 65 and 75mm versus the Longboards' 35 and 45mm) and a different fixings arrangement for the stays (which may or may not be better than the admittedly faffy if reliable setup on the Longboards).

I'm ambivalent about the more modern aesthetic and somewhat dubious that they'll offer the same level of protection - the total rear length if 1300mm inc. flap remains unchanged between the old Longboard and new Blumel Style, however the all-important front length has shrunk from 960mm to 890mm...

The Longboards had become my default for 700c guards and I'm disappointed not only by their lack of availability but also the ballache of once more having to research alternatives to death before being sure that the bloody things will fit..

I'm interested to hear of any experience with the Blumel Styles or suggestions as to alternatives that offer good coverage if anyone has owt to contribute

 

[wafter]

Addendum - further research is made even more difficult by the fact that SKS' website refuses to work properly; manifesting a range of different errors depending on the browser it's viewed with..

 

[Dadam]

Pretty sure from your photo the new "Bluemels Matt" are the same as the old Longboards. Apart from the finish they look identical with the same round profile and the same flaps.

I just fitted a set to my new Felt bike (thread). In this case had to do some modding but I'm very happy with the end result.

I got mine from Tweeks

 

[fossyant]

Do they still do the chromoplastic. That's the closest in design although the mudflap needs a bodge.

 

[wafter]

Pretty sure from your photo the new "Bluemels Matt" are the same as the old Longboards. Apart from the finish they look identical with the same round profile and the same flaps.

I just fitted a set to my new Felt bike (thread). In this case had to do some modding but I'm very happy with the end result.

I got mine from Tweeks

View attachment 764177

Thanks - I thought similar although unfortunately the Blumel Matt guards apparently have a front length of 780mm; so are significantly shorter than the Longboard's 960mm.

So... sadly for me they're out on these grounds which is a shame as otherwise I do like the aesthetic. They look great on your bike and evidently you've taken the time to fit them well - did you too lose the best part of a day to this process?

Here's a pic of the Longboards on my Genesis for comparison; you can see the front flap nearly reaches the floor:

Do they still do the chromoplastic. That's the closest in design although the mudflap needs a bodge.

It doesn't appear so from the website, although it's hard to tell given how unpleasant it is to (try to) use..

 

[Dadam]

Thanks - I thought similar although unfortunately the Blumel Matt guards apparently have a front length of 780mm; so are significantly shorter than the Longboard's 960mm.

Oh I see yes the fronts are a lot longer.

They look great on your bike and evidently you've taken the time to fit them well - did you too lose the best part of a day to this process?

Best part of a few weekends with all the messing about! But that's mainly down to Felt's weird fittings. Getting all the stays adjusted right was a whole afternoon though.

 

[freiston]

I used to have a pair of longboards on my drop bar tourer but eventually they fatigued/snapped at the lower stay of the front mudguard - I gather from forums that this is not an uncommon issue. I kept the guards, doing a bit of repair to the front one and making a long mudflap to give protection - as I have since done on all my bikes, using 2mm nitrile rubber sheet. I have to say that I reckon the long mudflap is a better solution than the longboard. The longboard was often gathering leaves and occasionally twigs (which tested the Secu Clips on a few occasions), catching on kerbs and I must have caught it enough times to make it fail. The long mudflap gives better spray protection, does not gather leaves and just glides over obstacles.

 

[Spiderweb]

You may be able to get more longboard stock here?https://www.mikevaughan.co.uk/shop/...oard-mudguard-set-black-28-45mm-10068/option/

 

[wafter]

Best part of a few weekends with all the messing about! But that's mainly down to Felt's weird fittings. Getting all the stays adjusted right was a whole afternoon though.

lol - glad I'm not the only one!

Indeed, the stays are no fun are they? Great when finally fitted but a pretty time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process to fit though.

I used to have a pair of longboards on my drop bar tourer but eventually they fatigued/snapped at the lower stay of the front mudguard - I gather from forums that this is not an uncommon issue. I kept the guards, doing a bit of repair to the front one and making a long mudflap to give protection - as I have since done on all my bikes, using 2mm nitrile rubber sheet. I have to say that I reckon the long mudflap is a better solution than the longboard. The longboard was often gathering leaves and occasionally twigs (which tested the Secu Clips on a few occasions), catching on kerbs and I must have caught it enough times to make it fail. The long mudflap gives better spray protection, does not gather leaves and just glides over obstacles.

Cheers - I found similar when doing my research however they were revised at some point (2018..?) to move the front guard's stay mount much lower down so that it's almost on top of the mudflap. The (later) example on my CdF has covered about 4.5k miles of mixed terrain and fingers' crossed still looks fine

I hear you on the sucking up of things though - have certainly had to stop to clear out the mudflap a few times; mostly when riding amongst a lot of loose twigs and leaves. I generally don't have a problem with curbs as I just pop the front wheel up slightly.

Aesthetically I like the way the stiffer rubber guard continues to curve around the wheel (and I suspect this is potentially better from a drag perspective too) however can appreciate the benefits of a more flexible flap as you suggest.

You may be able to get more longboard stock here?https://www.mikevaughan.co.uk/shop/...oard-mudguard-set-black-28-45mm-10068/option/

Thanks for taking the time to find that - evidently your search game is better than mine!

I'll give them some thought as they're a bit spendy with postage on top while the Blumel Style's seem to have been well-received even if apparently offering less coverage. I'm also warming a little to their aesthetic...

 

[Exlaser2]

Mike Vaughan is a proper old school bike shop and I can highly recommend them , if you’re concerned about not buying from a big player. It’s probably why postage is on the high side too. 😀

 

[wafter]

Mike Vaughan is a proper old school bike shop and I can highly recommend them , if you’re concerned about not buying from a big player. It’s probably why postage is on the high side too. 😀

Thanks - they seem that way from the reviews!

I don't have a problem with the postage in principle as they're a big, bulky item, but suppose I've been spoiled by slashed prices and free postage from less traditional retailers in the wake of the Covid collapse..

 

[freiston]

Mike Vaughan is a proper old school bike shop and I can highly recommend them , if you’re concerned about not buying from a big player. It’s probably why postage is on the high side too. 😀

It's only a few miles from me and there's a couple of good pubs nearby . I've shopped there a few times over the years and even popped in for a chat and a look around when not buying anything.

 

[All uphill]

I have Flinger mudguards on two of my bikes for 6 years now and have found them tough and relatively simple to fir.

Recommended.

 

[hobo]

The rivets holding the stay bridges on my sks guards on my winter bike have failed after 2 winters so I’ve had to replace with nut and bolt fixings.

 

[wafter]

I have Flinger mudguards on two of my bikes for 6 years now and have found them tough and relatively simple to fir.

Recommended.

Thanks - will give them a squiz

The rivets holding the stay bridges on my sks guards on my winter bike have failed after 2 winters so I’ve had to replace with nut and bolt fixings.

That's unfortunate - do you know how many miles that took / whether there were any other factors involved? IIRC they're stainless so shouldn't corrode.

Can't really fault mine so far but they might not have had the life yours have..