Mudguards

Verstelbare spatborden voor MTB en straatfiets

These adjustable mudguards are described for mountain bikes and street bikes. Adjustable means you can set them up on the bike, but the title gives no sizes.

What you get

Mudguards for mountain bikes
Also mentioned for street bikes
Adjustable

Why mudguards?

On a wet road your front tyre throws a fan of water up at your shoes, feet and face. Your rear tyre sprays a stripe up your back and onto whoever rides behind you. Good mudguards stop most of it.

Mudguards protect your bike too. Dirt and sand thrown up end up in the chain, brakes and bearings. A drier, cleaner bike wears more slowly and needs less maintenance.

There are three main families. Full fixed guards, bolted to eyelets on your frame, give the best coverage, feet included, but you need mounting points and enough tyre clearance. Clip-on guards are lighter and fit and come off without tools. Short MTB guards mostly keep mud spray out of your face.

The drawbacks are weight, the chance of rubbing, and a different look. A pair of fixed guards weighs roughly 250 to 500 g. Clip-on guards often weigh around 100 to 200 g.

The types of mudguard

The choice depends on your bike and how much coverage you want.

Type	Coverage	Fitting	Weight per set
Full fixed	High, feet and back included	Needs frame and fork eyelets	About 250 to 500 g
Clip-on (road)	Medium, mainly rear wheel and back	Tool-free, straps	About 100 to 200 g
Short MTB guard	Low, keeps face and chest clean	On fork crown or seatpost	About 50 to 150 g
Mid-length gravel guard	Medium to high, wide tyres	Eyelets or clamp, depending on model	About 150 to 300 g

Weights are rough guides and vary by model and size.

Choose it if

You want to try one set across several bikes
You want quick protection against spray on your MTB
You ride in wet weather too, in autumn and winter or on soggy forest paths.
You commute or ride in ordinary clothes and want to arrive dry.

Choose something else if

You want a fixed set with solid mounting points for heavy rain
You only ride in dry weather and want the lightest bike possible.
Your bike has little tyre clearance. A mudguard would not fit or would rub.

How to fit mudguards

Measure tyre width and clearance
Pick a mudguard roughly 5 to 10 mm wider than your tyre. Check there is enough room between tyre and frame for the guard.
Attach to eyelets or with straps
Fixed guards attach to the eyelets on frame and fork. Clip-on guards fasten with straps or a clamp, no drilling needed.
Centre over the tyre
Spin the wheel and check the gap between tyre and guard is even all round. A gap of about 10 to 15 mm keeps noise and rubbing down.
Tighten the stays
Tighten the stay bolts and trim any protruding ends. Check nothing can poke into the brakes or spokes.
Test on a short ride
Take a short ride on a wet or dusty road. If you hear rattling or rubbing, adjust the stays.

Good to know

Check the shop page for compatible wheel size and tyre width
Check how the set attaches to the frame or seatpost
After fitting, check there is at least roughly 5 mm of clearance between tyre and guard, and more in mud or gravel.
On gravel and in the woods, mud can pack between tyre and guard. More clearance prevents the wheel from locking.
Clip-on and short guards work well but protect your feet and chain less than fixed ones.
Check regularly that all bolts and straps are still tight. A loose guard can end up in your spokes.

What you get

Why mudguards?

The types of mudguard

Choose it if

Choose something else if

How to fit mudguards

Measure tyre width and clearance

Attach to eyelets or with straps

Centre over the tyre

Tighten the stays

Test on a short ride

Good to know

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