How Effective Are Fenders At Keeping Cyclists Clean? | An Ode To Mudguards

Mudguards, or fenders if you're American, can be a cyclist's best friend. They keep you and your bike clean and are the perfect accessory for riding in winter or in poor conditions. But how effective are they? In this video, Alex and Ollie don their morph suits and put mudguards to the test!

#Cycling #GCN #GCNTech #RoadBike

Do you have mudguards on your road bike? Let us know in the comments below!

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[gcntech]

Do you have mudguards on your road bike? Let us know in the comments below!

[Joyzus]

please do next: Do brakes actually work

[atharvakarandikar]

Imagine two Slendermen riding bicycles in your neighborhood

[sufyansaleem]

I do appreciate that GCN hasn't started to take itself too seriously in all these years.

[sventice]

I cannot imagine riding a bike in winter without mudguards. All of my bikes (both of them) are equipped with them. And it's not just about preventing a "skunk stripe" up your backside; mudguards (fenders) do an excellent job of protecting your drive train and bottom bracket from the grit and grime of wet winter riding. Your components, even your whole bike, will last very much longer if you use them.

[joenne]

This is one of those videos you quickly close when someone asks what you are watching and you just answer with "nothing"

[jakobthoboll]

The aspect of mudguards for the cyclist behind you is quite important in my opinion. In cityriding I really hate racing enthusiasts passing by without mudguards and in worthst case hitting my eyes with rain or mud, increasing accident risk for me.

[Ragnarok]

i never thought anything could replace my nightmare of Si in a Speedo but Ollie with a skid mark might be worse

[louismorejohn]

I rode my touring bike equipped with front and rear mudguards for a six-month tour through England, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France. They were absolutely essential for keeping 1) keeping me more comfortable and 2) keeping my bike's drivetrain free of mud. My mudguards also had rear flaps that made a huge difference. There is NO QUESTION that they are great for non-racing activities.

[JMcLeodKC]

The fact that an actual former pro uses things like fenders but your "club ride world champ" turns their nose up at them is just freaking great.

[barriewilliams]

I have been riding bikes from the age of 2 & I am now aged 83 so I have covered a few thousand miles on the way. When riding with my club years ago mudguards (full) were the norm & it was rare to see one of the lads/gals without them. Over the years they have fallen out of favour, bike frames (in the main) no longer being able to accommodate full guards. Shame, as they work & as one who did a 16-mile commute trip (in all weathers) every day for years, I would have not ridden without them🤔

[joshuamitton]

New presenters confidence has soared in recent vids! Love it.

[kippen]

The outfits were a bit more revealing than I was expecting. What has been seen, cannot be unseen.

[GregTheGuitarist]

Ollie. Mudguards are aero! In fact in MotoGP there are regulations of how far the mudguards may stick over front wheel (which rapidly reduces turbulence and improves the air flow).

[nstrug]

Full length fixed mudguards with flaps on my winter bike. They keep the bike much cleaner, they keep your feet and back dry, and your buddies will actually want to ride with you rather than sticking you on the back. Yes they are heavier etc, but one of the joys of a winter bike is that first warm day in Spring when you get out the summer bike and realise how much lighter and more aero it is.

[timrichardson]

OMG How do I unsee what those morph suits show...😅

[ScrapKing]

We also typically call them fenders in Canada. A good set of fenders will also help keep your bike clean in dry conditions, by channeling dust. Especially on trails.

[dimebarcocker]

Mudguards are brilliant. Previously I'd just not ride on wet roads. Now though with mudguards I'll happily ride on wet roads which means I get to ride more. I've even extended the front flap to prevent even more water being thrown up at my feet and chainset etc.

[mickyjagah]

I've used mud guards for as long as I can remember. It actually started with my dads black mamba/Phoenix bicycle way way back and ever since, fenders have been a part of every ride in my bike given the muddy roads of the western part of kenya.

[recumbentrocks]

It was a good example of how the obsession with weight has meant most riders would rather get muddy and wet. I for one have mudguards on all my bikes. Great video guys, and very funny.