Original usage [ edit ] An illustration of British Army Colonel Redvers Buller's rearguard action during Battle of Hlobane of the Anglo-Zulu War

Mudguards are also a vital courtesy on group rides. Sit directly behind a bike that’s not fitted with mudguards on a wet ride and you’ll soon realise just how much water tyres can spray up. A long rear mudguard, preferably with a flap, keeps spray out of the face of the rider behind you. Many clubs and riding groups demand mudguards over the winter. These mudguards are useful for commuting bikes, especially where clearance might be an issue because of frame design and/or wide tyres. The simplicity of fitting makes them attractive, and they can be whipped off in a minute too. While these mudguards don't provide 100% protection compared to full-length options, they do keep a surprisingly large amount of spray off. Murray, James A. H.; Bradley, Henry; Craigie, W. A.; Onions, C. T., eds. (1933). The Oxford English Dictionary (vol. 8) (1sted.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. The Philological Society. As with seemingly everything in the cycling world, choosing the right mudguards or fenders for you and your bike isn’t always the most simple task. You’ll be surprised at how much difference they make. Unless it’s raining hard, most of the wetness you feel when riding without mudguards is likely to have come from the road and your tyres. Mudguards keep you drier and more comfortable.Read more: Ass Savers Fendor Bendor Big rear gravel mudguard full review Gravel fenders / mudguards: Things to think about If you've never used mudguards, you’ll probably be surprised at how much difference they make. A lot of the water that covers you when you ride in the rain doesn’t come directly from the clouds, it’s thrown up from the road surface by your tyres, especially in lovely British drizzle. Usually mounted under the saddle, fork crown or down tube, these will protect you from the worst spray and are best suited to mountain bikes. What width of mudguard or fender should I buy? The mudguards have a distinctive round profile with no flattened section at the apex of the curve. This looks great when fitted but, in our experience, it can cause issues with clearances around the fork crown on certain bikes. Burnham, W.P. (Lt.) Manual of Guard Duty, U.S. Army, Syracuse, New York: C.P. Bardeen, Publisher (1893) pp. 92–95

The fact that full-length mudguards can only be fitted to frames with the necessary mounts and clearance does limit them, but there are plenty of bikes designed to accept them. Most common are those that fall into the touring/Audax category, with a variety of frame materials including the most common: steel, titanium and alloy. It’s also possible to buy a carbon fibre frame with the necessary eyelets and clearance for these mudguards. Why? Well, the front and rear mudguards serve slightly different purposes, and how much you value front or rear protection will depend on your personal preferences. Weighing 60g, the Fendor Bendor Big is certainly lightweight but remarkably stable with some well-designed creases and folds giving the thin polypropylene its shape and rigidity. Fitting is straightforward, the single Velcro strap means you can easily attach and remove it from your bike, but we did find compatibility issues with frames that had a mono stay and it may well not play nicely with rim brake calipers either. Consider what width of mudguard is most appropriate for your tyres and the amount of clearance your frameset offers. Full-length mudguards with flaps also help to keep this filth off your feet and bike, which can be largely attributed to the front mudguard.Even if your tire isn’t rubbing on the fenders / mudguards, when the conditions are particularly muddy - and if the clearance isn’t capacious - you’ll end up with a large amount of unwelcome resistance as the accumulating clag acts as a brake on your tire. In particularly muddy conditions, a narrower tire can be the better option, all things considered.

Rogers, Clifford (2007). Soldiers Lives through History: The Middle Ages. Westport: Greenwood. p.73. ISBN 978-0-313-33350-7. Given all the extra struts it comes with, the Travall is very easy to fit. Depending on your vehicle model, in most instances you simply affix the rear window sill mounts – which come with plastic stoppers on the ends so they don’t leave any marks – and attach the supplied tension rods to your car’s tie-down rings. That’s pretty much it; no tools are required and absolutely no drilling. To prevent this, it’s worth getting yourself some helitape. This clear tape that is incredibly strong and won’t be worn through by the straps of your guards. It’s almost invisible when the guards are removed, so your frame will stay looking as pretty as ever. As a result, adding mudguards is a great way to get your road bike winter-ready. If you ride off-road in winter, the best mountain bike mudguards and fenders will keep you drier on the trails. Fenders / mudguards aren’t just there for the rider, they also benefit your components. Keeping water away from your bearings, especially those in the headset, will reduce your risk of mechanical issues and make your parts last longer.

Bond, Paul Stanley (Lt. Col.) and Crouch, Edwin Hunter (1st Lt.), New York: The American Army and Navy Journal (1922) Tactics: the practical art of leading troops in war, pp. 247–253 Fenders / mudguards that attach to the frame and fork of your bike are incredibly versatile. They are easy to take on and off and fit a wide range of different bikes. The downside is that in attaching to your frame, they run a very real risk of damaging your paintwork - and in extreme circumstances, even your frame. Full-length mudguards are commonly referred to as traditional mudguards, because they’ve been around for many, many years. They are most often a permanent fixture on touring bikes. Due to their length and sides, they cover a large percentage of both wheels and provide the best protection from spray generated by the wheels. The mudguards use a neat pair of clamps on each stay that enable you to adjust their length without having to cut the stay. Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply.