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Only commuter and bikepacking bikes have mudguards, almost nobody puts one on a mountain bike or a proper road bike, regardless of whether they’re electrified.

Only commuter and bikepacking bikes have mudguards, almost nobody puts one on a mountain bike or a proper road bike, regardless of whether they’re electrified. This looks like it’s more for these “sporty” categories of bikes.

conorcleary 2mo ago
That's a big blanket statement
michaelt 2mo ago
> Only commuter and bikepacking bikes have mudguards, almost nobody puts one on a mountain bike or a proper road bike I suspect this depends on the weather in your area - road cycling clubs near me often require mudguards for "winter club rides".
- Toutouxc 2mo ago
  That’s interesting. Our winters are often wet and annoying. You don’t see many roadies out there before at least February. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a proper road bike with mudguards in the wild.
  - michaelt 2mo ago
    I suspect people who are enthusiastic enough cyclists that they're doing 20mph+ club rides even in the winter have separate summer and winter bikes. And yes, once your winter 'proper road bike' has mud guards, tyres with treads, and an all-weather-riding design people might start calling it an 'adventure bike' or 'gravel bike' instead.
- skeeter2020 2mo ago
  You must be from somewhere where winter means rain vs. large amounts of snow. I can see if you're doing a road ride with a group (where they often run tight) they'd ask for fenders. Here a road bike would be useless once winter hits.
- Lio 2mo ago
  100% this. If you see someone with mudguards on a road bike it's a sign they're a proper cyclist. I don't think you're allowed to entry audax events without guards and you definitely won't be allowed on a club run without them. Getting a face full of oily road water for the guy in front is not exactly fun. Even small clip on "racing blades" will get you a sniffy look.
ajb 2mo ago
Why would you not want a mudguard? I personally prefer having one to getting a stripe of mud up my back. Is there a better way to avoid that?
- Toutouxc 2mo ago
  My experience is that if there’s water and mud on the ground, a fender doesn’t help much. Especially on a higher travel mountain bike (I ride 150mm of travel front and back) where you can’t get it close enough to the tire. After a while it turns into a gunked up rattling sagging mess. I’ve tried a few and ultimately stopped trying, even on an XC bike. I don’t meet people using them either.
skeeter2020 2mo ago
bikepacking bikes rarely have mud guards; maybe something small on the front. dropbar touring bikes often have full fenders though.
Lio 2mo ago
That's not at all true. Lots of people ride downhill and enduro with a set of small guards. If you google images of something like Redbull Hardline pretty much all the bikes you see will have at least one front guard. That's because no one wants a face full of mud at the wrong moment.

conorcleary 2mo ago

That's a big blanket statement

michaelt 2mo ago

> Only commuter and bikepacking bikes have mudguards, almost nobody puts one on a mountain bike or a proper road bike I suspect this depends on the weather in your area - road cycling clubs near me often require mudguards for "winter club rides".

Toutouxc 2mo ago
That’s interesting. Our winters are often wet and annoying. You don’t see many roadies out there before at least February. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a proper road bike with mudguards in the wild.
- michaelt 2mo ago
  I suspect people who are enthusiastic enough cyclists that they're doing 20mph+ club rides even in the winter have separate summer and winter bikes. And yes, once your winter 'proper road bike' has mud guards, tyres with treads, and an all-weather-riding design people might start calling it an 'adventure bike' or 'gravel bike' instead.
skeeter2020 2mo ago
You must be from somewhere where winter means rain vs. large amounts of snow. I can see if you're doing a road ride with a group (where they often run tight) they'd ask for fenders. Here a road bike would be useless once winter hits.
Lio 2mo ago
100% this. If you see someone with mudguards on a road bike it's a sign they're a proper cyclist. I don't think you're allowed to entry audax events without guards and you definitely won't be allowed on a club run without them. Getting a face full of oily road water for the guy in front is not exactly fun. Even small clip on "racing blades" will get you a sniffy look.

ajb 2mo ago

Why would you not want a mudguard? I personally prefer having one to getting a stripe of mud up my back. Is there a better way to avoid that?

Toutouxc 2mo ago
My experience is that if there’s water and mud on the ground, a fender doesn’t help much. Especially on a higher travel mountain bike (I ride 150mm of travel front and back) where you can’t get it close enough to the tire. After a while it turns into a gunked up rattling sagging mess. I’ve tried a few and ultimately stopped trying, even on an XC bike. I don’t meet people using them either.

skeeter2020 2mo ago

bikepacking bikes rarely have mud guards; maybe something small on the front. dropbar touring bikes often have full fenders though.

Lio 2mo ago

That's not at all true. Lots of people ride downhill and enduro with a set of small guards. If you google images of something like Redbull Hardline pretty much all the bikes you see will have at least one front guard. That's because no one wants a face full of mud at the wrong moment.