What is the best solution to the gravel bike mudguard dilemma?
For me it’s a compromise:
A rear ’guard will keep the worst filth off you with no real disadvantages but a front ‘guard could lead to a serious accident.
So don't necessarily focus on pairs.
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Full guards with proper flaps are essential for winter road riding with other people.
BUT off-road riding is a bit different.
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A pair of full mudguards will give you the best protection BUT for off-road riding in mucky UK conditions you need MUCH more clearance between tyre and guard as there will be a build up of mud which can stop the wheel turning. There's a real chance that a twig or other debris can get snagged in the front guard....with disastrous consequences (in my case, 6 broken teeth, a handful of stitches and road rash over one side of my handsome face!)
So ONLY opt for a front guard if you have massive clearance and .... feel lucky! Anyway a front guard would only REDUCE splatter on your feet and lower legs (and possibly drinking bottle).
REAR
Rear guards are, I think, essential for UK conditions:
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A huge muddy stripe up your bum and back is bad for your jersey & shorts/tights and will lead to real discomfort (and possibly infection) "downstairs".
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You will not be welcome in a cafe/pub covered in filth.
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Your bike will be in a terrible state & filthy water will seep into your seat tube.
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Your saddle pack will get covered in, and full of, crap.
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It will protect your companions a bit.
Most of the offerings on the market don't offer enough protection and are strapped on with velcro or rubber. This is to facilitate quick removal.
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My view is that the guard is on for the season so it's not a big issue.
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We used to use something like this years ago on our mountain bikes.
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It’s good because it bolts on using the fittings already on the bike.
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Therefore it is secure, doesn't rattle & work loose, and there are no straps to rub your frame.
BUT
It seems quite short and this will be made worse if your seatstays have an acute angle, i.e. the whole guard will rotate forward. I suspect you'll still get a bit splattered higher up your back as muck will drop off the back of the ‘guard, hit the back of the tyre and be fired into the air and on to the top of your back.
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My solution
I recently fitted this for a friend. The tyres measure 42mm.
It's cheaper than many options on the market
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It uses the proper fixings found on most gravel bikes
I used the rear mudguard of a pair to get the right length given the extreme angle of the seatstays.
Most mainstream gravel bikes have threaded mounting points for mudguards/rear racks. You’ll need to be able to access and use a hacksaw and drill.
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Order a pair of wide (55mm) road mudguards.
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Use the front one to attach to your bike or cut down the rear, to go from the seatstay bridge backwards
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Attach using threaded fittings on the bike designed for this very purpose
Advantages over most available options:
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No velcro/rubber straps to scratch the frame or work loose
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Lighter
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Longer and more effective
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Secure
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Possibly more rigid because they have 2 pairs of stays each
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Two for the price of one if the first one breaks (crash/debris/stuffing in car).
Fitting
Like fitting all full mudguards, this takes a bit of time to get it right for your bike but this only has to be done once.
You’ll have to find or make a bracket to mount the ‘guard to the seatstay bridge:
An ‘L’ shaped bracket if the thread faces backwards or a straight bracket if it faces down.
Drill out the rivets and use the bracket from the front ’guard
Or use a flat strip, possibly the front mudguard bracket bent flat.
I made a straight bracket out of a bit of aluminium.
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Very pleased - it's neater than mine!
It works! This is my jacket after a very mucky “gravel” ride on 6th January 2024 - after the wettest December I can remember!
FRONT
A friend of mine uses this. It protects the bike's headset. But it tends to clog with mud on ours as we have less clearance.
We use these. No clogging and they protect the frame, bottle and us a bit.