If you go for raceblades, go for longs if you intend riding with others raceblades will not comply with what a club would describe as guards. Having both I have found them much of a muchness. Cruds are lighter and give better protection to the front mechanism although you can use the front section of cruds with raceblades to make a frankenguard. They are less substantial and are more of a pain to take. off at short notice. Some people also find them difficult to setup, I haven't
Raceblade longs will work on bikes with less clearance than Cruds. The raceblades cost more.