Even if it is not part of the new age aesthetics, there is no doubt that bike mudguards do serve one important function. There is no better way than to save your back and shoes from splashes of water and mud. Not needing to clean your bike as often is an added benefit.

Once the streets are wet after rain, a simple cycle ride can become miserable without a mudguard. But then why don’t your brand-new bikes don’t have fenders? There are two reasons why these days most bikes do not come with mudguards as a default option. The most important factor is that most people who use bikes are hobbyists. They can choose to sit inside during bad weather. But not if you are somebody who uses a bike for daily commutes. Another reason is that it is possible to install one after purchasing the bike. But it is important to know more about bike mudguards before shopping for one.

A guide to bike mudguards

The primary function of mudguards, as the name suggests, is to protect the rider from otherwise inevitable splashes of mud and dirt. If you ride on wet roads or trails without mudguards, it won’t take much longer to cover the bike in the mud. When this mud dries on the bike, they will ruin the paint as well. A mudguard is a simple and affordable fix to all these problems. Not all mudguards are the same, though. You should choose it depending on your bike model. In this article, you will find some awesome tips that you can follow while shopping for them online.

Mountain bike guards

You will have to deal with the worst kind of mud on a mountain bike. Therefore, a mudguard for mountain bikes should be equipped to deal with them on a daily basis. Not only should they protect you, but they should also prevent the mud accumulating between the tyre and mudguard. They also need to be stronger. Not only do they have to deal with thick mud but, occasionally, rocks as well. Mudguards of mountain bikes tend to be beefier and less focused on the finish. No matter how sophisticated you make them, they will be covered in mud by the end of the day. You can mount the mudguard on the seat post unless you have a dropper seat post. In that case, you can mount them on the frame.

Folding bike guards

Most folding bikes do not come with a mudguard. As the idea of a folding bike is to make it as compact as possible, mudguards are among the first parts to be compromised. Sometimes this makes commuting on it a lot difficult during rainy weather. Rain does not mean you should not use folding bikes, though. You can stop splashing yourself with the stormwater by installing an aftermarket mudguard. But the mudguard should not make the bike any less foldable. So, you can clip on mudguard in this case. They are easy to install and take off with just one click. They won’t be strong enough to go on a mountain bike, but for street use, they are more than enough.

Road bike guards

It was the road bikes that first did away with the mudguards for the sake of style. You may find a few models that are optimised for sports having them, but most do not. And unfortunately, neither do many of them have the eyelet to install an aftermarket mudguard. In those models which have the option to add a bolt-on fender, you should do so. But if yours do not have that option, you can go for the clip-on type. Seat mudguards are a popular option these days. They do the job of saving you from splashes and mud to a decent extent. But if you want better, then look for full-length fenders that you can clip on to the bike.

Urban bike guards

Among all of the bikes, urban bikes are the least focused on looks. Most urban bikes do come with full-length fenders as their default. But in case if yours do not have a set of back or rear fenders, you can bolt them on and fix one permanently. Full-length mudguards make sure that you are protected from 90 per cent of the splashes. Generally, full-length mudguards that go on the front of the bike will be smaller than the rear one. It is better to choose a fender that is inconspicuous for urban bikes. Also, look for a colour that is similar to the bike as well.

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