Associate
- Joined
- 26 Nov 2009
- Posts
- 1,225
How important is it to have mudguard clearance and eyelets on a road bike or does it not matter?
Road Bike Mudguard Clearance
- Thread starter maklabouhlel
- Start date
Man of Honour
Are you planning to ride in the rain/when it has rained recently? If so, you'll probably want some form of mudguard. There are options for fitting guards if you don't have eyelets or clearance but they tend to be more hassle and less effective than proper mudguards.
To be honest even if you mostly ride in the dry it can sometimes be nice to have mudguards as they do keep a lot of cack off your bike, you and people behind you.
To be honest even if you mostly ride in the dry it can sometimes be nice to have mudguards as they do keep a lot of cack off your bike, you and people behind you.
- Joined
- 26 Nov 2009
- Posts
- 1,225
Would you ride it in the rain without mudguards?
Caporegime
Essential on any bike I'm going to ride in the winter.
I can live with riding my summer bike in the rain if push comes to shove, but I'd rather not, because it doesn't take long before your back is filthy and soaking wet.
What I would say is that if you decide you want mudguards, then you absolutely should be getting a frame with proper eyelets. Properly attached mudguards are awesome. It's not a choice between a "fast" frame and a practical one either - there are plenty of racier frames that have mudguard mounts.
I can live with riding my summer bike in the rain if push comes to shove, but I'd rather not, because it doesn't take long before your back is filthy and soaking wet.
What I would say is that if you decide you want mudguards, then you absolutely should be getting a frame with proper eyelets. Properly attached mudguards are awesome. It's not a choice between a "fast" frame and a practical one either - there are plenty of racier frames that have mudguard mounts.
I'd agree with that. My Chromoplastics took a fair while to fit (TBH I could have done it quicker but they had to be perfect
) but since they went on I haven't touched them, they haven't caught the tyres or frame at all and survived quite a heavy crash!
Soldato
I have a topeak rc11 rear on my main bike and that does the job re keeping my back/arse dry.
legs/drivertrain etc will get covered in crap tho.. - afaik you can find it to pretty much any bike -;
legs/drivertrain etc will get covered in crap tho.. - afaik you can find it to pretty much any bike -;
full size mudguards if your going to ride in the wet.
most people avoid it anyway though but if your commuting obviously it's a must.
pain to fit but once they are fitted you can take them off and on easy enough if you wanted to for the summer, but as others have said they do offer some benefits in dusty conditions mainly for others behind you though,
no stones getting flicked at peoples faces etc instead they rattle around in the mudguard and fall harmlessly to the floor
if a bike has disk brakes you need to check he callipers wont impede the metal wire stays that hold the mudguard in place, you can on most bikes bend them around the callipers.
preferably you want the rear calliper mounted inside the triangle on the back off the bike like so
as opposed to being in the way like
with what's meant to be a straight metal rod will need bending around it like as above.
same for the front on most too
The above bend examples are from the same frame I have and the reason I haven't bought any guards for it yet because bending the stays is a real pain in the butt
I guess once there on they are fine though
just a bit untidy looking but with that bike bag I guess he doesn't care about looks over function
most people avoid it anyway though but if your commuting obviously it's a must.
pain to fit but once they are fitted you can take them off and on easy enough if you wanted to for the summer, but as others have said they do offer some benefits in dusty conditions mainly for others behind you though,
no stones getting flicked at peoples faces etc instead they rattle around in the mudguard and fall harmlessly to the floor
if a bike has disk brakes you need to check he callipers wont impede the metal wire stays that hold the mudguard in place, you can on most bikes bend them around the callipers.
preferably you want the rear calliper mounted inside the triangle on the back off the bike like so
as opposed to being in the way like
with what's meant to be a straight metal rod will need bending around it like as above.
same for the front on most too
The above bend examples are from the same frame I have and the reason I haven't bought any guards for it yet because bending the stays is a real pain in the butt
I guess once there on they are fine though
just a bit untidy looking but with that bike bag I guess he doesn't care about looks over function
Last edited: