Mudguard Sydrome

I have to say today in Brisbane was one of those few days where it was so wet that I really should not of ridden to work but oh well. My otherhalf had infact said to me just before leaving that I should catch the BUZ "but the rain has stopped". In short I got drowned but why did I still ride and still take the risk of getting wet? I have mudguards.

Mudguards are one of those things that are no longer standard on bikes and they really should be. It is something they confuses baby boomers because when they rode bikes before they bought there cars (the reason why bikes declined) every bike had them. Because of this in general they are seen as something of the past and very uncool. This is slowly changing with more bikes now being sold with them but these are still very much in the minority with most people like myself have to retrofit there bikes. This is even when there bike is marked as an urban Machine.

So why did they disappear. This is quite simple people stopped using bikes for what there main purpose is transport. You see if you use something for transport it has to go through fine weather and wet weather. This meant the need to stop spray off the road onto the rider but when cycling became something of a sport or a thing of recreation who would be out in the wet? There is also that mudguards would never of been fitted to sport bikes. When you are trying your best to bet the guy next to you you do not need this tiny sail down on your wheel slowing you down. Once cycling became more of a sport people wanted bikes like those and that meant no mudguards.

So whats so good? Well the first thing is you don't get wet. You may say big deal you will still get wet from the rain. This I have to say on most wet days is a misconception. Unless the rain is constant or hard you will get more water sprayed up onto yourself from the road then you will get from the sky. Waters not that bad! this is very true but it is the things that mix in the water that you may not like to taste being thrown up in your face, think dog poo and engine oil. Then there is the fun side like being a child again and riding through poodles. There is no greater fun then blasting through water and coming out the other side with minimal water on yourself while some other poor bugger cops a face full of water, mud and what ever else is in there. In short a Mudguards allow you to continue riding in must weathers.

Now the Bad! So far I there is only one thing that I do not like about Mudguards is the sail affect. Due to the shape of mine they do catch the wind, and this may increase your travel time but this is only minimal. This can be reduced by insuring that the width of your mudguards match the width of your tyres.

So what to look for?
1st - There are many guards out on the Market but like many other commuter cyclists I prefer the classic full length design. These will offer the best protection and are the most stable. Some other types can fail and rub on the tyres.
2nd -  Bikes generally come in two wheel diameters 700c and 26inch. 700C is generally road to hybrid bikes while 26inch is mountain bikes and supermarket specials. Always check what wheel size you have beforehand.
3rd - Tyre Width can be a big problem if you buy a Mudguard for a road bike and you have a hybrid. While the opposite will work you then have the sail factor. Ensure your guard is designed for your preferred tyre width. Guards should be close but not to close.
4th - Material can be a factor if the bike is going to get knocked about. The guard needs to be strong enough that if the bike falls down they will not bend. My current guards are plastic and were off my old bike that went through the accident. Apart from a bend in one of the support arms they are fine.
5th - It is not uncommon that some Mudguards have very weak support arms and fixings. Make sure your guards will not generally move about and touch the tyre otherwise there could be an accident.

I would not be without Mudguards now and if really want to ride as much as possible I suggest giving them ago. You will no regret it and the memory of road spray quickly becomes a thing of the past.