Mudguard debate

[siwickm]

Most of my training tends to be on the turbo, I have got quite a heavy bike set up on the turbo trainer and I always have two bottles on it so maybe that helps

Mind you I don't have mudguards on the turbo bike that I use, maybe I should put some on, that may make the training even better.


Cheers

Marek...

[huw williams]

I punctured on a turbo once, honestly.

[Paul on the Pearson]

Huw, I agree with you on the mudguard front, I'd rather get wet than look like I'm on a paper round, but I'm thinking of fitting a basket, one of those nice wicker ones on the front of my bike. Any advice. It should be ok as with campag theres no messy cables getting in the way.

[huw williams]

A man after my own heart Paul - though I think your decision to ride the Falling Leaves without a waterproof was taking the "I Don't mind getting wet" idea a bit far.

[Dan B]

I think this is where I mention the north/south divide.

Show up for a wet club run up north without mudguards and you won't be invited back. You'll be lucky to get to the cafe.

Nobody gets wet behind me anymore - at least until I build up the new tri bike.

[Stu Merckx Man]

dan,

that supprises me...i always thought the northerners were ment to be harder than us...accustomed to wet cold and a watery face. i would have thought you would not be invited back if you wore mud gaurds !!

just goes to show, the world is full of suprises, can't be sure of anything these days...

i think this is just more indisputable proof of how global warming is affecting the nature

stuart...

[Grahame]

Riding my winter bike (an old, steel mountainbike with road bars/STi levers and a full set of mudguards, AKA the Frankenbike) makes winning the Charlwood sprint (albeit from the 17mph group) even sweeter.

The northern club/mudguard thing isn't a "We build 'em harder" issue, more a politeness issue and/or maybe the roads are wet more frequently in the north, or possibly recognition that the aim of club runs over the winter is different than in the summer?

[adrian]

Being of Dutch descent, and therefore hardy to the point of being almost impervious to the elements , I've never minded the spray from the wheel in front.

Aesthetic considerations aside, my main objection to mudguards is that it's one more thing to have to b***er about with if you get a puncture.

[Stu Merckx Man]

i suppose thats true about the puncture bit..

but i had a stroke of luck today!

there i was walking to GB cycles going to buy myself a couple of energy bars when i come across a £20 note !!

so with my new disposable income i purchessed a £22 back tyre '99% puncture proof'!!!

so now i dont have to worry so much when i get the full thingys off andrew.

stuart...

[Stu Merckx Man]

oh yeh also bout the punctures and the mud gaurd etc etc..

well perhaps you won't because of all good karma and that

bieng considerate etc etc etc

but then if you believe in jynxing as well , then i have just jynxed us all...
sorry boys !

stuart

[sid_day]

IMO I think it's only polite to use mudguards on club runs.
i.e. the person behind you in the group doesn't get soaked by the rooster tail from yr back tyre!

SKS Race blades are reasonably easy to fit if you don't have eyelets and removable quickly if the weather's OK.

A full rear guard stops all that salt and grit going in yr front mech.

Also I still can't get commuting traffic grime out of my Addiscombe jersey.

[Alan M]

Wow! this debate has reached a level of seriousness of which Jack Straw would have been justifiably proud.

Of course, the axis of evil (no pun intended), the 'naked' wheel during the months of October - March is a cause for great concern and true believers are right to question the purple pros of some of the commentators on this forum and their false claims of enlightenment and their post modern trash tastes.

I will have to reflect on all that is said and seek the views of the true and great from the hallowed world that is known only as CTC.

[Stu Merckx Man]

WOAH??


stuart...

[Jim B]

This is the best thread for ages.

I agree that mudguards make your bike look sad, they are fiddly to get set up and they make it harder getting your wheels in and out.

But....its fine not having them if you a weekend warrior who can wash your bike and kit after each ride.

I ride to work everyday and have just put my mudguards back on my winter bike. When it rains mudguards keep at least 50% of the water off you and stop you having to spit out road grit. I scrapped my race blades as I found them more trouble than they were worth. I bought some normal ones and with a bit of creative knifery and some clips fitted them to my old Pinarello.

As regards etiquette, it obviously makes sense to all have guards in the winter. Even on a dry day, there's plenty of dirt on the roads.

Having said all this I will be out tomorrow SANS mudguards. I'd rather use my decent bike at least a bit longer. Come the salty roads of winter though and it'll be safely tucked away in the garage.

[Marek]

Good idea Jim, I am leaving the training bike at home tomorrow and am coming out on my racing bike for the club run. After the amount of beer I drank today I need all the help I can get to keep up with the likes of you and Paul H, Aidon and Sylvain.

Cheers

Marek....