How to choose your bike mudguard?

Cycling in wet or even rainy conditions requires a little preparation. To protect yourself from water splashes and keep your clothing and bike clean, the use of mudguards at the front and rear is essential.

Preventing water and mud from seeping into the components and frame of your bike, the mudguard also protects you from dust splashes, road debris, and even stones in the context of MTB use. It is therefore both a comfort and a safety element.

Mudguard characteristics

• Types of mudguards: for road and city bikes, for MTB
• Fixings: front mudguard (fork lower legs, fork steerer, fork legs, crown, down tube of the frame) and rear mudguard (chainstays, wheel axle, seatpost, saddle rails)

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MUDGUARDS

Types of mudguards

Today, mudguards are mainly made from plastic materials and, once fitted, become virtually invisible!

For road and city bikes

The mudguard is generally of a classic shape. Elongated, it follows the curve of the wheel and provides maximum protection for the bike and its rider. A flexible flap is sometimes found at its end. By effectively reducing wet splashes, the risks of water ingress into the bike's bearings (for example at the bottom bracket) and the appearance of rust are reduced.

For MTB

On MTBs, mudguards most often take on very compact shapes, to better absorb vibrations and reduce the risk of snagging on elements. On muddy terrain, a minimalist mudguard also has the advantage of reducing the risk of "clogging" with the tyre. It still offers effective protection for the rider. At the front, it protects the stanchions of the fork, whose surface treatment may not cope well with abrasive mud and stone or sand splatter.

Fixings

The choice of mudguard should be made partly according to the fixing options available on your bike.

For the front wheel

If the fork is equipped with fixing eyelets at the lower section, it is possible to fit most standard-shaped mudguards on the market using the supplied stays. The fit will also be secured at the fork steerer via a bracket integrated into the mudguard that needs to be tightened. Also at the steerer level, clip-on fixing systems can be found.

For forks without eyelets, manufacturers may offer clamp-on adapters. Fitting a mudguard is then made easier! Other mudguard models (MTB models) simply fit under the fork crown using flexible plastic clamps.
Finally, the fork is not the only place to fit a mudguard. Some models are designed to be fitted under the down tube of the frame using clamps or tightening straps.

For the rear wheel

We find the same principle as at the front, with the possibility of fitting a stay-mounted mudguard when the frame is equipped with fixing eyelets. The rear wheel axle can also be used to accommodate the mudguard. A third attachment point is located at the frame bridges to secure the assembly. Again, in the absence of eyelets, clamp-on models allow the support offered by the chainstays to be used and the fixing to be properly adjusted.

At the rear of the bike, the seatpost is another element to use for fitting a mudguard, via a clamp or a strap. It is also possible to fit a mudguard directly under the saddle, using the rails as a support.

Which mudguard to choose?

The first precaution to take is to check that the selected mudguard model is compatible with your bike. The wheel diameter, tyre width, frame size, fork width and seatpost diameter are all factors to consider. The fixing system has a major impact on compatibility! Fortunately, manufacturers offer enough models today to be certain of finding a suitable reference.

For MTB use: opt for compact, flexible and lightweight models. Despite their streamlined appearance, they are extremely useful, protecting you from water, mud, stones and earth splashes! They also protect the mechanics: fork stanchions, shock absorber body, seals… Their compact shape ensures good longevity and eliminates the risk of snagging on your clothing or vegetation. In the event of a fall, their flexibility allows them to deform. They do not break at the slightest impact!

For road cycling: a lightweight mudguard should be favoured. For your city bike, weight matters less: opt for maximum protection against water splashes. Stay-mounted models prove to be sturdy. Vibrating little, they do not loosen and last longer.

Finally, do not forget that fitting mudguards, depending on the fixing method, may require a little time and sometimes a few basic tools. A successful installation allows the mudguard to stay firmly in place and be spaced just the right amount from the wheel.