Mud Everywhere!

[SystemParanoia]

Doing the local trails on my hard tail today, getting absolutely showered in mud and all sorts.. absolutely loving it.

planning on doing a little DH soon too, but a question.

I like my bike having the sparse uncluttered look so i ask.. is there any convincing reason why i should get mud guards fitted at all?

[Nick_F]

Like you, I have no guards at all on my HT.

Like you, I will probably come to understand the case for them the first time I plough through a large dog turd on the trail.

Aside from that, I've yet to see any that I like the look of.

[pdV6]

Front crud catcher is IMO essential, especially if you're not wearing glasses/shades or share trails with horses/dogs.

Rear, optional. Depends how clean you need to be at the other end of the ride.

[SystemParanoia]

yeah, probably....

but i agree that they all look a bit.. well you know.. naff lol.
and its just another thing to clean off... bleh

[SystemParanoia]

pd, you got any links to ones that dont look ste?


being clean at the other end isnt an issue for me, as when i go out... i INTEND to get dirty lol ( Mrs hates it )

Edited by SystemParanoia on Tuesday 20th January 16:00

[snotrag]

Mudguards on an MTB are useless IMO. They flap about, clog up, weigh loads, get in the way. Spend your money on decent clothing, take a change of clothes if your driving, wear glasses over your eyes.

[pdV6]

Well, they all look worse than none at all.

Personally I prefer the original CrudCatcher and RaceGuard. They don't work quite as effectively as the current models but do look better IMO. Don't think you'd be able to get them except 2nd hand these days.

e.g. (if you can make it out)

[ewenm]

pdV6 said:

Well, they all look worse than none at all.

Personally I prefer the original CrudCatcher and RaceGuard. They don't work quite as effectively as the current models but do look better IMO. Don't think you'd be able to get them except 2nd hand these days.

Keeps the crap out of my face and a dry arse most of the time.

[SystemParanoia]

i never notice my wet arse till im just cruising my way back to home/the car

[SystemParanoia]

my bike...

filthy

Edited by SystemParanoia on Wednesday 21st January 09:40

Edited by SystemParanoia on Wednesday 21st January 09:41

[Agoogy]

I've been trying to solve the wet/muddy vs extremely uncool look of mudguards thing for a while, and it seems I'm not alone...other than accepting your arse is going to get covered.... you can do ok with bits of inner tube stretched and tied in specific areas:

one company has a made a product out of it and it stops mud going in your face...it cleans itself when the shock compresses and expands:

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/Product/31/NEOGUARD/u...

I'm looking for something similar to protect the front mech and bottom bracket area on my Lapierr 714... other than that the crudcatcher style is the most discreet..

[SystemParanoia]

looks interesting..

heading off to youtube to see if i can spot any vids of it in action

[pdV6]

I guess the effectiveness at keeping mud out of your face will depend on the bike's geometry and your riding position, as it could only stop a fairly limited portion of the spray off the front wheel I'd have thought?

[Cloud 9]

I have a front and a rear crud catcher on my Rockhopper and they stop a good deal of muck going in eyes and up my butt and back, I personally, don`t care weather they look "uncool" , the same as I would`nt go out in my Caterham in the pouring rain with the roof down!