Bike mudguards

Two very different uses

The term covers two very different products. On an MTB, a mudguard protects the rider and the fork from spray over a few dozen centimetres. On the road and in town, it protects the rider and those behind around the entire circumference of the wheel. The criteria for choosing them are completely different.

MTB: fork compatibility comes first

This is the main buying pitfall in the range. Modern fork mudguards clip between the fork arches, and this mounting system is specific to each fork family. A mudguard designed for a 35 mm fork will not fit a 38 mm fork, and dual-crown forks have their own models. Before ordering, note the exact model and year of your fork : suspension manufacturers sell their own mudguards, and these are the safest choice.

• The models universal models with straps or Velcro fit any fork, though they sit less securely.
• The versions long or XL offer better protection in muddy conditions and reduce spray into the fork damper cartridge.
• At the rear, the mudguard attaches to the seatpost and is mainly intended to keep your back and saddle clean.
• Many manufacturers offer their mudguards in matching colours to match the fork, making them a style accessory too.

Road and gravel: with or without eyelets

That's the key question. A frame with mounting eyelets can take a full-length bolt-on mudguard that covers the whole wheel and stays in place all season — the real solution for winter riding or group rides, when you also need to consider those behind you. A frame without eyelets, as is the case with most recent road bikes, requires a model that clips onto the seatpost and fork: it can be fitted and removed in seconds, but offers less coverage.

Clearance

Check two things: the tyre width the maximum tyre width the mudguard accepts, and the space actually available between the tyre and the frame or fork. With today's wider tyres, a frame can have eyelets but still lack the necessary clearance, especially at the seatstays and beneath the fork crown. On gravel bikes, dedicated models are designed for these wider tyres.

To find out more: How to choose your mudguard

See also: Bike frame protection · Bike cleaners and degreasers · Bike lights