Shopping
When you buy a brand new bike these days, chances are it will not come with bicycle mudguards or fenders. Bike mudguards are an accessory, that not every rider will need, but if you are riding in all sorts of weather, then you should check out the 2008-2009 range of bike mudguards and fenders.
So, who exactly needs bike mudguards or fenders on their bike? Well, for a start, if you will sometimes find yourself riding in the rain, or just after it has been raining, then fenders and mudguards on your bike will be a good idea. While fenders and mudguards won’t necessarily keep you dry when you’re riding in pouring rain, they will make a great difference to you when riding your bike on roads that are wet from recent rain or drizzle or melting snow. They will stop all of that nasty mud and sand from being splashed all over your clothes and the all-important components of your bike such as your wheel, cogs, brakes, gears, sprockets and chain.
There are different types of fenders including full length fenders that reach all the way down to the back of the tire so that it is almost pointing straight down. These types of fenders are the most effective and you should really consider these full length fenders and mudguards for your bike, provided they will fit.
If full length fenders that bolt onto your bike using stays won’t fit on your bike because of the design of your bike, then you may have to choose a set of clip on fenders. These are no where near as effective in the wet as what the full length fenders are so you should probably only fit these if you really have to.
To protect your bike, and yourself from the elements when you’re out there riding, there is a wide range of bicycle mudguards and fenders to choose from. From Germany, there is the SKS range of fenders. They have a terrific reputation and were previously known as ESGE fenders. These fenders are manufactured from laminated plastic and aluminum with stainless steel components and they are available in several different widths including 65 millimeters. You can get them in black, or silver with black stripes, so they will suit most bikes, no matter what color you have.
Another great pair of bike mudguards and fenders is the latest range from SKS. The SKS Raceblade for example is great for racing bikes that because of their design, won’t allow a normal pair of full length fenders to be fitted. These Raceblade fenders easily attach to your bike using rubber, quick release bands that attach to the seat stays and forks of road race bikes. And because they don’t fit under your bike’s fork crown, or seat stay, you don’t need any extra tire clearance. While they are clip on fenders, they are extremely good and well worth it if you are going to be riding on wet roads but can’t fit full length fenders to your road bike.
There are other mini fenders and clip on fenders on the market, but unfortunately, these are often ineffective in the wet, so go for the full length bicycle mudguards and fenders if you can.
