SKS X-Guard MTB Fahrrad-Unterrohr Radschutz (Vorderrad) // 26'/27,5'/28'/29'

Product Information

The best mountain bike mudguards keep filth out of your face and do it without shifting around or clogging up. That’s it. This buyers guide will be rather brief. Because there are basically some mudguards that work. And loads of others that don’t. 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.

Clip-on mudguards usually don’t wrap as much of the wheel as full-length mudguards, nor have the sides or front rubber flap. This means they don’t keep as much rain and spray off your body or bike. However, they do keep most of the water off and can make a huge difference on wet roads. They can easily be removed and stored in the garage during the summer. 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.Mudguards stop water and dirt from your tyres spraying upwards over you, your bike, and anyone riding behind. The ProGuard from RRP is a rigid polypropylene guard that comes in two sizes – standard and maximum. The standard is pretty big and offers plenty of protection, but the Max is 21mm longer at the front and 68mm longer at the rear so really ups the ante. It has a three-point fixing via the brace and fork lowers. There are 24 crown holes for zip-ties allowing it to accommodate a wide range of brace sizes and shapes and it’s compatible with 26in, 27.5in and 29in forks and (RRP claims) tyres up to three inches in diameter. The extended side mouldings also help protect the fork seals. To fit the Pro Guard, you do have to punch out some tiny holes, which is okay but there is a bit of trial and error getting it set to the correct angle. The Max size can also move a bit when riding hard and when sending it off a drop there was often a hard crunch as some part of the guard bottomed out on the fork/tyre. That said, if you want to ride 60mph through a peat bog and stay dry, this is the guard we’d recommend – dirt doesn’t get in your eyes, on your clothes, no matter how wet it is or how fast you’re going. Easily the best guard on test. Fair wear and tear or misuse are not considered a fault and Thomas Cycle Revolution would not be liable in these cases.

Mudguards are key to keeping dry – or drier than you’d otherwise be – in typical British conditions. That’s especially true in winter when water tends to stay on the roads for longer. If you’re riding year-round, make sure you have some of the best bike lights to keep you safe too. The other advantage of these mudguards is that they offer the most protection to the bicycle. They keep all the water and mud away from the rim brake callipers (if your bike has them), which really don't like being dowsed in gritty water, and it's the same for the front derailleur. They also keep water away from a saddle bag and rear light that you might have attached to the saddle/seatpost, so that's another plus for mudguards.The Mudguards are also really easy to put onto your bike, with a simple loop tag on the top of the guard which loops around your bike frame's downtube. The loop has a series of holes for fastening, allowing the mudguard to fit a large range of down tube sizes. They measure 30cm x 12.5cm, giving you plenty of cover against mud and road surface water. They are also lightweight, weighing less than 150g, limiting the weight addition to your bike to a minimum. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to err on the side of caution and fit the widest set of mudguards you can to your bike. Mudguards can even offer a performance advantage. Yes, really. By keeping you dry and comfortable, they allow you to train more effectively than if you’re wet and cold. By keeping as much of the water off your body as you can, you're going to be able to ride for longer, and faster, when the roads are wet. Clip-on mudguards come in two distinct styles – clamp-on style such as the venerable Topeak Defender and folding ones such as the popular Ass Saver.

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. 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. 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. Many leading cycling brands offer a range of high-quality mud guards to provide a little protection from the elements. Full length mudguards provide optimal protection and can help ensure your cleaning time on return is a little less laborious. Mountain Bike Fenders On longer rides, the boost to morale of being dry and comfortable on your bike is also immeasurable. A few audax events and randonneuring bodies (and some clubs) even require your bike to be fitted with mudguards as a courtesy when riding in a group.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? 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.