Which mudguards for Felt VR40

[Dadam]

Second prototype for seat tube mount:

First prototype clamp was too small. This one works a treat. I'm thinking of recessing the nut at the bottom and using a shorter bolt to make it look less meccano-like and printing it in black. I do have some black filament but at the moment printing in black is a PITA. I mis-ordered and have a huge 3kg reel which won't fit on my printer spool so I have to wind off enough for each print.

 

[si_c]

Second prototype for seat tube mount:

View attachment 759850

First prototype clamp was too small. This one works a treat. I'm thinking of recessing the nut at the bottom and using a shorter bolt to make it look less meccano-like and printing it in black. I do have some black filament but at the moment printing in black is a PITA. I mis-ordered and have a huge 3kg reel which won't fit on my printer spool so I have to wind off enough for each print.

That's looking really good.

As an aside I was thinking it might be worthwhile replacing the front derailleur with a 105 CAM derailleur instead of the Tiagra one you have there - they interfere far less with the mudguards.

 

[Dadam]

That's looking really good.

As an aside I was thinking it might be worthwhile replacing the front derailleur with a 105 CAM derailleur instead of the Tiagra one you have there - they interfere far less with the mudguards.

Interesting, which model, and what does CAM mean in this context? It never crossed my mind to start upgrading components on a brand new bike.

 

[si_c]

Interesting, which model, and what does CAM mean in this context? It never crossed my mind to start upgrading components on a brand new bike.

The 105 R7000, Ultegra R8000 or newer and the GRX front derailleurs. CAM means it uses a CAM action to pull the derailleur rather than a lever approach so needs less clearance. It's not going to improve shifting, but is a nice quality of life improvement with close fitting mudguards.

I think the GRX400 is under £20 and should work with Tiagra. Make sure you follow the fitting instructions - they are a bit more fiddly than regular front derailleurs but not too bad.

 

[Dadam]

Cheers. The R7000 and R8000 seem to be for 11-speed rather than 10-speed. Though I'm not sure why this matters for the front except maybe chain thickness or chain line? Some also seem to be braze-on so need for an adaptor with those.

Hmm, I'm in two minds. The idea of not having to trim the mudguard and having it all looking neater is certainly attractive but also derailleurs seem like a black art at times,

 

[si_c]

Cheers. The R7000 and R8000 seem to be for 11-speed rather than 10-speed. Though I'm not sure why this matters for the front except maybe chain thickness or chain line? Some also seem to be braze-on so need for an adaptor with those.

Hmm, I'm in two minds. The idea of not having to trim the mudguard and having it all looking neater is certainly attractive but also derailleurs seem like a black art at times,

They are but there is no difference at the front, it's all 2 speed. The R7000 is available in band-on - you may have to look it's not always available online.

I just had a look and ebay have it, but it'll be shipped from China so a little longer to get to you. eBay link.

 

[Dadam]

Version 1.2 hot off the print bed

Very happy with how it's turned out.

Much neater with the recessed nut, and easier to fit too, no fiddling about with a spanner to stop the nut turning.

I was hoping to go for a long ride tomorrow, but might have to be with no front as I've got a bit of work to do on that. Should be dry though.

 

[si_c]

That looks really good.

 

[sevenfourate]

^^^Truly looks like it grew there and was meant to be. That’s the sign of great work !!

 

[Dadam]

^^^Truly looks like it grew there and was meant to be. That’s the sign of great work !!

Thanks. It's a bit more rough and ready close up. I've only got basic CAD skills, use a free web program aimed at students, and a low-mid range printer that I haven't had that much experience using. But I was inspired by the Creo part above and I am really pleased with how that came out.

 

[si_c]

Thanks. It's a bit more rough and ready close up. I've only got basic CAD skills, use a free web program aimed at students, and a low-mid range printer that I haven't had that much experience using. But I was inspired by the Creo part above and I am really pleased with how that came out.

Just a note, but my Dad needed to get a part for a roof rack and the manufacturer wanted about £40 with postage, ended up finding the CAD for the part online for a couple of quid and got it printed commercially with a more robust plastic.

Worth keeping in mind if there are issues with durability later. You've already made the CAD part, so could also make it available to others.

 

[Dadam]

They are but there is no difference at the front, it's all 2 speed. The R7000 is available in band-on - you may have to look it's not always available online.

I just had a look and ebay have it, but it'll be shipped from China so a little longer to get to you. eBay link.

Found a new FD-R8000 band-on on Ebay (link), shipped from Sheffield for a really low price. First thought obviously was fake but seller has 99.8% positive feedback including for this actual item. I know chains are faked a lot but I would have thought it would be quite hard to make a convincing fake high end front mech. I'm going to take a punt.

 

[Dadam]

R8000 FD is here... but, it's 34.9mm and looks like the Felt is 31.8
In fact turns out the seat tube actually measures 32.6 and the factory fit FD clamp has a right old gap at the closure, so it might even have a 28.6 clamp.

I'm aware shimming is a thing and so I kind of thought there'd be a couple of shims in the R8000 box but nope. The 31.8mm Ultegra FDs are available online but £30-40. So should I return it and pay some more for get the proper fitment, or shim it? I have a selection of the flexible shims you get for bar fittings for lights etc but I've a feeling it should be more rigid than that. Could print something I guess.

And all because I was really odd and wanted some full length mudguards on a new bike which has mudguard mounting points!

 

[si_c]

R8000 FD is here... but, it's 34.9mm and looks like the Felt is 31.8
In fact turns out the seat tube actually measures 32.6 and the factory fit FD clamp has a right old gap at the closure, so it might even have a 28.6 clamp.

I'm aware shimming is a thing and so I kind of thought there'd be a couple of shims in the R8000 box but nope. The 31.8mm Ultegra FDs are available online but £30-40. So should I return it and pay some more for get the proper fitment, or shim it? I have a selection of the flexible shims you get for bar fittings for lights etc but I've a feeling it should be more rigid than that. Could print something I guess.

And all because I was really odd and wanted some full length mudguards on a new bike which has mudguard mounting points!

Shim it, you'll probably need a shim either way, I grabbed one off Amazon for a couple of quid.