SKS Raceblade Long mudguard problems
Discussion
Just a heads up for anybody using SKS Raceblade Longs. On the commute into uni this morning started hearing a rattle somewhere and after pulling over I noticed that the rear mudguard had unclipped somehow and was only held in place by the roads on either side. No bother, clipped it back onto the metal tab and carried on. Few minutes later it came off again but with no chance of pulling over till a side road few hundred metres up, (I was on Edge lane just after the end of the M62 for those who know it). Everything was fine till just before I could turn off into the side road when the mudguard was chewed through the tyre and brakes, pushing off the smaller guard that sits on the other side of the calipers which was then run over by the van behind me. Ended up staying upright somehow, took it all off and stuffing it into the rucksack. Chalked it up to experience and was thinking I was glad that I'd managed to stay on the bike and not under the van instead. Literally a few Km's later I heard the now familiar rattle and the front guard had come loose, luckily it was just as I came to a stop at a set of lights after coming down a hill at 30mph....
It seems strange that they both failed at more or less the same time. The weak spot seems to be the small plastic clip that secures the guard onto the metal, which is worrying since I only put them on at the end of October. Also they'd done a few hundred Km's and were only ever removed when I gave the bike a proper clean every couple of weeks, so I don't think it was fatigue from over use. Anybody else had similar problems with these? Bit of a shame as they did a good job of keeping me dry these last few weeks. If I get them replaced I think I'll find someway of locking them in with a small cable tie, as they're not the most robust of clips.
It seems strange that they both failed at more or less the same time. The weak spot seems to be the small plastic clip that secures the guard onto the metal, which is worrying since I only put them on at the end of October. Also they'd done a few hundred Km's and were only ever removed when I gave the bike a proper clean every couple of weeks, so I don't think it was fatigue from over use. Anybody else had similar problems with these? Bit of a shame as they did a good job of keeping me dry these last few weeks. If I get them replaced I think I'll find someway of locking them in with a small cable tie, as they're not the most robust of clips.
Worth bearing in mind mudguards can be lethal!
I had metal ones that came factory fitted, was rushing home to take my daughter out after a club run, I knew the guard had become a bit loose. I got out the saddle on drops flat out hit about 25mph , then the front guard jammed in the front wheel!
Instantly I was over the handlebars into the oncoming traffic lane, the guy slipstreaming right behind me hit and rode over my bike then came off!
My helmet and face took all the impact, my face was a complete mess, two fractured teeth, black eyes, split helmet, split lips and very deep grazes that have scarred my face. Guy who hit me fractured his wrist. Bikes were a mess as well!
On the plus side people who meet me think I'm a thug due to the scars and give me a wide berth!
Worth checking them every week and ensuring they are properly fixed
I had metal ones that came factory fitted, was rushing home to take my daughter out after a club run, I knew the guard had become a bit loose. I got out the saddle on drops flat out hit about 25mph , then the front guard jammed in the front wheel!
Instantly I was over the handlebars into the oncoming traffic lane, the guy slipstreaming right behind me hit and rode over my bike then came off!
My helmet and face took all the impact, my face was a complete mess, two fractured teeth, black eyes, split helmet, split lips and very deep grazes that have scarred my face. Guy who hit me fractured his wrist. Bikes were a mess as well!
On the plus side people who meet me think I'm a thug due to the scars and give me a wide berth!
Worth checking them every week and ensuring they are properly fixed
I've had a couple of different types of long mudguards on my bikes - both took some time to set-up properly so that they didn't rub or rattle, yet maintained a consistent gap around the wheel (I don't like inconsistencies on my bikes).
Since getting them set-up right, they normally remain spot-on unless I knock them in which case it can sometimes require a fresh start to get them back to perfect.
My first set was the hybrid version of the raceblade from SKS. My most recent set is branded from Whyte and don't have the riveted-on clips seen on the SKS set. Instead, each rod is connected with a clip that grips the rolled-edge of the guard itself. Although I didn't have any trouble with the riveted-on clips on the SKS set, I broke 2 of the plastic "bridge" clips on the rear guard. I note you can now buy metal version of that clip, separate to the guards themselves (Amazon has it). Unfortunately, the last time the clip broke, I had to remove the whole rear guard at the side of the road which rather ruined it, so I bought the Whyte set as a change, and so far they've been fine, although I was not totally satisfied with the rods so I ended up using some from the SKS set and some from the new Whyte set.
But when you think how far bikes have come in the past 20 years, mudguards are a bit rubbish really, aren't they? Flimsy and difficult to set-up properly.
Horrible to hear about the accident above too.
Since getting them set-up right, they normally remain spot-on unless I knock them in which case it can sometimes require a fresh start to get them back to perfect.
My first set was the hybrid version of the raceblade from SKS. My most recent set is branded from Whyte and don't have the riveted-on clips seen on the SKS set. Instead, each rod is connected with a clip that grips the rolled-edge of the guard itself. Although I didn't have any trouble with the riveted-on clips on the SKS set, I broke 2 of the plastic "bridge" clips on the rear guard. I note you can now buy metal version of that clip, separate to the guards themselves (Amazon has it). Unfortunately, the last time the clip broke, I had to remove the whole rear guard at the side of the road which rather ruined it, so I bought the Whyte set as a change, and so far they've been fine, although I was not totally satisfied with the rods so I ended up using some from the SKS set and some from the new Whyte set.
But when you think how far bikes have come in the past 20 years, mudguards are a bit rubbish really, aren't they? Flimsy and difficult to set-up properly.
Horrible to hear about the accident above too.
Edited by Watchman on Tuesday 23 December 15:35
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