MTB Mudguards?

[nick s]

Hi Guys, Just bought a MTB for the rainy and muddy days when i won't be using my road bike, and i'm looking to get some mudguards.

Firstly though, would people say a front mudguard is also necesary? Am i going to get mud spraying in my eyes and face if i don't get one? I'm planning on using the bike on muddy trails, and for some off road winter races, so won't just be normal rainwater on the road sort of conditions.

Secondly, i'm not sure what sort to go for? Obviously i don't want some big shiny looking ones that look ridiculous on the bike, so does anyone recommend anything? Anyone used this one before?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/rapidracerproducts-neoguar...

[Samcat]

On my MTB I use the RRP Neo-Guard attached to the forks, it's briliant at stopping a lot of the spray from the front wheel, I don't use a 'Crud Catcher' on the frame any more as I find the Neo-Guard works fine for the front wheel spray.

On the rear I've recently bought one of these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...



All the guys I ride with have commented how dry my back is after a wet muddy ride, so I recommend it.

[matts4]

I recently joined a group of regular MTB'ers for an ride out in Thetford forest and I was chastised for having a rear mudguard!

Apparently a front one is acceptable, but a rear is a positive no no in terms of appearance.

How vain!

[JustNeil]

matts4 said:

I recently joined a group of regular MTB'ers for an ride out in Thetford forest and I was chastised for having a rear mudguard!

Apparently a front one is acceptable, but a rear is a positive no no in terms of appearance.

How vain!

I'd rather have a bit of plastic above the back wheel than most of a field stuck on my back. But then I commute to work most days so getting wet and muddy would get a bit dull after a couple of months...

[Gren]

For riding the trails something like a Mucky Nuts Fender Bender on the front and nothing at the back - just soemthing to stop your face getting covered. Just accept that you'll end up filthy and all will be well.

For commuting something like a Crudcatcher would give better coverage.

[P-Jay]

On MTB's front mud guards keep stuff out of your eyes, rear mud guards are the King Canute of bike accessories, if it's muddy out you are going to get covered in it, whatever you have hanging off the seat post so most people consider them pointless which is all code for "they look stupid".

For the best protection a Crudcatcher type thing on the downtube and neoprene guard on the fork work best for keeping the mud out of your face - but you'll still get mud everywhere.

Mojo sell a fancy front guard called the defender which is meant to be pretty good, but they're £70 for what amounts to two bits of injection moulded plastic!

[Stugots]

+1 Mucky Nutz Bender Fender 2.1 up front

Nothing on rear coz i is kool innit

[Digga]

Stugots said:

+1 Mucky Nutz Bender Fender 2.1 up front

Nothing on rear coz i is kool innit

I've got one of these and it is brilliant.

Compared to other types of front guard, the really big advantage IMHO is the reduction in crap around the fork seals. It really does cut this down as well as stopping much of the st from being flung forward into your field of vision and face.

Only snag is that it won;t fit the fork lowers on the Marzocchi 44's on my hardtail, but I've been using one for ages on the Fox 36's on the Nicolai.

[Watchman]

On one hand I don't care about fashion, so I'm happy enough to put front and rear guards onto my hardtail but on the other hand they had to be a complimentary colour. I found some lime green CycraGuards which keep most of the crap off me, my backpack, and my front gear mech.

I'll admit to removing them when it's dry but I haven't had opportunity to remove them this year, thanks to the weather.