Road mudguards - Crudcatcher mk2 or Zefal R30s??

[HughG]

I'm after a set of low clearance guards for the roadie as I'm fed up of getting yet. There's plenty out there but only a couple that are light and wrap around a decent portion of the wheel.

Any thoughts and experiences of the Crudcatcher mk2s or Zefal Shield R30s?

For anyone who does know them, the Zefals:

[nammynake]

Can't fault the Cruds on mine. Some people say they are a faff to fit but as long as you follow their video tutorial it's pretty straightforward. Main downside is that 23mm is generally the biggest tyre you can fit due to clearance.

[Birdthom]

I had the Cruds last year. They weren't bad, but I have some SKS race blades this winter which are far better. I don't have any experience of the Zefals.

It'll be spring soon though :-)

[numtumfutunch]

I ran Race Blades for a few seasons and found them OK but a bit of a faff

Then I discovered the Cruds which give much better coverage after you get them dialled in
Yes they are a bit more of a hassle but do the job 95% as well as a full on winter frame with industrial spec mudguards - this is doing my n+1 no good at all

Hats off to the Crud people though
In my experience they are designed to last for just over 1 winter till they fall apart and Im down to the bike shop to buy a new pair when November comes

Assuming they cost £20 for 1 1/2 winters Im still in credit versus a winter bike so me (and the missus) remain happy

[HughG]

Thanks, think it'll be worth finding some cruds to look at and compare to the zefals.

I'll let you know how I get on.

[daddy cool]

Only used the Cruds - for the first time yesterday actually! As people have said, damn fiddly to fit. Also, on my Boardman i had to trim the part that balloons out behind the cranks as there wasnt space.
All was good on the stand, but a mile or two into our ride the front was rubbing/squeaking when going straight ahead or left (right was fine, but i didnt want to spend all day on a roundabout) so had to pull over for some adjustment.
Rear was fine though, and kept my pal relatively spray free when he was behind me. Sadly he didnt return the favour as he had no guards.

They were £17.50 delivered last week on wiggle, so keep an eye out. I would recommend them - they look so discreet when fitted, and as long as you set aside a couple of hours to fit them properly, then they work well.

[uncinquesei]

Crud catchers all the way here too. Just bought a set from High on bikes through ebay for £19 delivered. Second hand sets go for more. I'm on my 4th set (across a couple of bikes) - latest set purchased to replace a set of Raceblade long that I couldn't get on with (coverage poor compared with cruds, catches for removal stopped working etc). I find fitting and removal easy now I'm used to them, get a supply of cable ties and they are just as removable as anything else I've tried.

[mrmr96]

daddy cool said:

Only used the Cruds - for the first time yesterday actually! As people have said, damn fiddly to fit. Also, on my Boardman i had to trim the part that balloons out behind the cranks as there wasnt space.
All was good on the stand, but a mile or two into our ride the front was rubbing/squeaking when going straight ahead or left (right was fine, but i didnt want to spend all day on a roundabout) so had to pull over for some adjustment.
Rear was fine though, and kept my pal relatively spray free when he was behind me. Sadly he didnt return the favour as he had no guards.

They were £17.50 delivered last week on wiggle, so keep an eye out. I would recommend them - they look so discreet when fitted, and as long as you set aside a couple of hours to fit them properly, then they work well.

I have a boardman too. Do you have any photos of the bike with these fitted?
And a link to the ones you have?

[daddy cool]

mrmr96 said:

I have a boardman too. Do you have any photos of the bike with these fitted?
And a link to the ones you have?

I'll take you one tonight - currently have a Pro Carbon SLR (medium) which has a different geometry to my old Team carbon (Large). The same set was on both bikes, the SLR needed even more trimmed off!

You can get them from all the usual suspects - Ribble, Wiggle, CRC, ebay etc - just make sure you get the Mk2 version (not that ive ever seen the Mk1 offered instead)

[scubadude]

I have cruds squeezed over 25mm Conti GP4000S, a little "trimming" of the guards required, I find its easiest just to stick the bike in a Workstand, remove the wheels and fit the guards, don't p8ss around trying to do it around the wheels, then tweek the guards when you put the wheels back on.

They do work very well though- worth the effort (its not Much effort to be honest) mine currently OK for their second winter.

[daddy cool]

Here you go - the Team:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Daddy76/SAM...
And the Pro SLR
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Daddy76/IMG...
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Daddy76/IMG...
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Daddy76/IMG...

[mrmr96]

daddy cool said:

Here you go - the Team:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Daddy76/SAM...
And the Pro SLR
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Daddy76/IMG...
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Daddy76/IMG...
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Daddy76/IMG...

Nice one, thanks for that! They actually don't look too bad.
Appart from the trimming, how was the fitting? I.e. is it feasible to fit/remove them frequently?

[daddy cool]

mrmr96 said:

Nice one, thanks for that! They actually don't look too bad.
Appart from the trimming, how was the fitting? I.e. is it feasible to fit/remove them frequently?

Yes - they are mostly held together by thumbscrews and rubber bands, so could be removed re-fitted again and again. You'd also be much quicker the 2nd and 3rd time you fit them! Only thing you'd need would be plenty of spare thin cable ties as thats how they attached to the brakes front and rear, and also on the seat tube. I bought a pack of 100 for £1.99 from maplins t'other day.
As mentioned above, its probably easiest to do the initial install with the wheels off, then put them on and do the final alignment/tightening up.

[TKF]

I couldn't be bothered with trimming over 25mm tyres and the faff of taking them on/off so for my winter/turbo bike I got a Zefal Swan (and Croozer for the front).

It doesn't look nearly as neat as dedicated guards but it's silent, it keeps your back dry and takes ten seconds to fit/remove.

[daddy cool]

That looks perfect for lone riding actually - suppose it doesnt offer any protection for a rider behind if you are in a group though. (which is something im intending to get into in the coming weeks)
But i might get your set up too for rides to work etc, for ease of fit, and it avoids that uneasy feeling i have with things in such tiny tolerances away from my wheels!

[TKF]

99% of my rides are solo but I did go out with a group the other week on damp roads and the person behind confirmed it helps me more than them.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

If you are riding any distance at all then the Crudcatcher mk2 are worth their weight in gold. It's not just your back, it's your legs and feet that they protect too. As above they're not quite as good as full guards but they're not far off. Fitting is pretty straightforward once you've done it a couple of times. Why on earth you'd want to get any wetter or colder than you have to for the sake of £20 and 20 minutes fitting them is beyond me!

[WarrenG]

Crud roadracer2 here. Very good indeed - light and low clearance, easy to get off and on once set up.

[HughG]

I went for the zefals in the end and after sitting next to an unused bike for a couple of weeks I fitted them and got out on it yesterday. Fitting for fiddly and required the brake calipers to come off, but no trimming.

The good news is that they worked very well with no tyre rub to speak of. The front edge of the front guard does sit high and catch the wind a bit it didn't seem to affect its performance.

I'll get some photos up this evening.

[Justin S]

Crud Catchers on mine, although for a road bike with little clearance a bit of a fiddle to get right. I found thatan electric heat gun and burnt fingers to mould it slightly cured the tyre touching on the front.