Living in the Pacific North West, or the PNW as we like to call it makes for some wet and muddy rides. Being blasted in the face with mud while hammering down the trail does get a bit off-putting after a while. So I checked into fenders to see if they might help my predicament. Here’s what I found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So do I need fenders for my mountain bike? No.<\/strong> The fender and mudguards on the market today offer just minimal blocking of the mud being flung up but the tire. So the question becomes more about, “Do I WANT fenders for my mountain bike”, and that answer is a big fat yes! <\/strong> <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mudguard style fenders for mountain bikes have become really quite popular, in the last few years, and for good reason. In particularly wet, muddy conditions, a front mudguard tends to keep those tiny little bracing triangles molded into the wheel arch of the lower on your front fork tends to get clogged with mud and crud, making it a pain to get clean on bike bath day. A mudguard does a great job of keeping this area clean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as keeping trail grime and slime out of your face, they don’t do a whole lot in that department. But there are a few instances where installing a mudguard may<\/g> be just the thing for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I Need a Mudguard For Mt. Biking, if I Don’t Ride in the Mud?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another no on that one. Though many claim that a mudguard protects the fork stanchions from dirt and debris that could cause premature wear to seals, or potentially scratch and gouge the anodized coating (Kashima, Fast Black, etc). Though a fork seal change and lower service aren’t particularly expensive for the do it yourself, new stanchions can only be purchased as a new crown\/steerer\/stanchion assembly. So they get a bit spendy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, mudguards do offer a bit of extra protection to the bike frame and its components. If you’re a ‘fair weather’ rider, you probably won’t notice any benefit, other than that snazzy ‘enduro look’, after installing a mudguard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Are Mt. Bike Mudguards Heavy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>Most mudguards weight in the neighborhood of 20g-50g, depending on how thick the material is as well as the actual dimensions of the fender. Though I’ve yet to run this theory through the scientific process, I venture to guess that a mudguard will collect more weight in mud, than the actual device weights itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Mt. Bike Mudguards Easy to Install?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Today’s mudguards are actually quite easy to install and only takes just a minute or two to throw on before you hit the trail. Many are simply held on by a few zip ties: two on each fork leg, one on the wheel arch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

• wipe off grime<\/li>
• loosely attach center zip tie around the wheel arch<\/li>
• loosely attach 2 side zip ties around for legs<\/li>
• then snug them down while making sure it’s stays centered in the fork<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  Are Mt. Bike Mudguards Durable?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  Mt bike mudguards are usually made out of a thin (1mm-2mm thick) flexible plastic material that is quite durable and has a tendency to give and spring back, rather than crack or break. It would take some very deliberate attempts to ruin one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Are Mt. Bike Mudguards Expensive?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  Most mudguards available today run between $10-$20 on the internet, making it a relatively inexpensive upgrade. There are even a few DIY’ers out there making them without of materials found at Dollars Stores for just a couple bucks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Are mudguards specific to the fork\/frame?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  No. Unless you’re purchasing a brand-specific, such as the ones offered by the fork manufactures, mudguards are designed to be a universal fit for pretty much any fork out there on the market, regardless of brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Can they be used on both the front and the rear?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  They sure can! Many of today’s frames are designed in a way that will allow a mudguard to be installed in the arch of the two chainstays. Though just how effective they are on the rear is probably less than the front. But hey, it’ll match the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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