Could there be any greater delight than arriving at the end of a winter gravel ride with a dry behind? Or sipping your coffee halfway through without the mud falling off your face into your flat white?
For the unconverted, fenders, or fenders, can be a real game changer for winter on gravel or any wet weather conditions.
But isn’t dirt, gravel and sand part of off-road driving? And what mudguard/fender options are there for gravel bikes?
Here, we look at why you should consider installing mudguards on your gravel bike, as well as the different options for every type of bike (and budget), and the practical considerations you should keep in mind before immerse yourself in the bliss of bad weather.
Why should you put fenders on a gravel bike?
Mudguards can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying winter gravel rides. Canyon / Clement Hodgkinson
The pros…
We’ve already touched on the benefits: Just like fenders on road bikes, gravel fenders basically limit the amount of water, mud, and debris that gets off your gravel tires and onto you or your bike.
How effective this protection is will depend on how much coverage your fenders provide.
Full coverage mudguards will go a long way to keep you dry and comfortable on the bike.
Options range from minimal strap-on mudguards that offer light relief for your face or back, to full-length mudguards that offer much more protection, helping to keep you dry from head to toe, while they maintain the frame and components of the bike. better condition
Keeping water and mud off your body will help you feel comfortable on the bike. If it’s cold and you’re wet, you’re more likely to chill, and no one likes to sit on a soaked chamois.
Minimalist gravel fenders are also available. butt savers
Off-road riding is also inherently more difficult on bike components, including the drivetrain, where sand, rocks and grit can quickly combine into a component-eating paste. So as well as keeping you warm and dry, mudguards can help extend the life of your bike parts. This definitely makes them one of the best accessories for gravel bikes.
Cons…
Well, as with anything, there can be downsides to installing mudguards on your gravel bike.
First, there is the issue of authorization. Adding an extra layer of metal or plastic around the tires takes room, especially when you factor potential trail debris into the equation, and not all mountain bikes have the clearance to add mudguards, especially if you still want to run a fat tire.
Mud cleaning can be a problem. GripGrab
You may need to use a lower volume tire in order to fit the mudguards on your gravel bike, or even go for a smaller wheel size by swapping 700c wheels for 650b wheels to give more clearance , if your bike offers compatibility.
Adding mudguards to your bike will also add weight, although exactly how much depends on the type you opt for. Unless you’re seriously ramping up your climbing, the extra protection provided will likely offset any weight gain.
Finally, fitting mudguards can sometimes be a little trickier than you’d expect. It’s worth taking your time to get a good fit or ask a local mechanic for help.
Front mudguard, rear mudguard or both?
The front and rear mudguards are integrated into the YT Szepter’s frame and fork. YT Industries
While road riders typically mount a set of mudguards on both the front and rear of the bike, gravel or mountain bikers may choose to run a “guard” on just one end.
Because? Well, front and rear fenders serve slightly different purposes, and how much you value front or rear protection will depend on your personal preference.
While the front mudguard acts primarily to prevent mud from getting off the front tire onto the face, the rear mudguard acts primarily to prevent spray from reaching the rear.
Full-length mudguards with flaps also help keep that dirt off your feet and bike, which can largely be attributed to the front mudguard.
Most riders tend to opt for front and rear fenders for added protection, although there’s no reason you can’t run just one or the other.
Three types of gravel fenders
Generally speaking, there are three types of gravel mudguards: short-coverage clip-on mudguards (available for the front or, more commonly, rear), full-coverage clip-on mudguards, and full-coverage mudguards that require grommets .
Choosing the most suitable option will depend on exactly what you want from your mudguards and what you can adapt to your bike.
Mudguards with short coverage clip
The Mudhugger Gravel Hugger rear mudguard on a Lauf True Grit gravel bike. Russell Burton / Our media
Let’s start with the smallest fenders on the market.
The short-cover clip-on fenders are pretty much what you’d expect; they offer relatively limited coverage, compared to full-length guards, but they can be fitted to any bike, because you can clip, clip or wire them to your frame without the need for mudguard eyes.
You might not get the same full-body protection as a longer set of fenders, but if you value rear end protection above all else and want a tool-free fit, you’re covered here.
Overall, the minimalist design means that the frame and mud clearance are also less important.
The Gravel Hugger is also available as a front fender. Tom Marvin / Immediate Media
The Mudhugger Gravel Hugger is an example of a short coverage clip mudguard.
The Gravel Hugger is a gravel-specific set of the brand’s popular mountain bike mudguards, which are installed on the fork and seats via cable clamps or rubber O-rings.
Latest Mudhugger Rear Gravel Hugger Deals
The Ass Savers Win Wing is a minimalist rear-only mudguard, with options for both road and gravel bikes. Russell Burton / Our media
For a rear-only option, we rate the Ass Savers Win Wing very highly.
This super minimalistic and lightweight mudguard offers rear tire protection via a swing arm and silicone straps.
Latest offers at Ass Savers Win Wing
Mudguards with full coverage clip
Full Coverage Clip Mudguards are designed to provide full coverage for bikes without mudguard holes. SKS
If you’re looking for more coverage, but your bike isn’t equipped with mudguard eyelets, consider a clip-on mudguard set.
They usually attach directly to the frame via silicone straps, but look more like a traditional set of mudguards.
The SKS Speedrockers are full coverage clip-on fenders designed for multi-terrain riding. SKS
One example is the SKS Speedrocker, designed for gravel and cyclocross practice with a wider mudguard to accommodate 700c and 650b wheels with tires up to 42mm wide. These are attached to the fork and seats in two places by rubber hooks and loops.
Although less secure than mudguards that install through frame eyelets, some riders prefer clip-on mudguards because they are easier to put on and take off.
Latest deals on SKS Speedrocker mudguards
Full coverage fixed mudguards
Full coverage courtesy of Kinesis Fend-Off Wide mudguards. Robert Smith / Our media
To maximize protection against dirt and puddles, opt for full-coverage mudguards. You will need to make sure you have the right mudguard eyelets on the frame and fork for these.
These can often be a little trickier to fit (not an option you’ll want to take on and off on a regular basis), but once secured, they give the best protection and are the sturdiest option.
One example is the Kinesis Fend-Off Wide, a gravel-friendly (and, as a result, wider) version of the brand’s standard Fend-Off fenders.
The anodized aluminum shields are attached via metal braces that run close to the frame eyelets near the axles, as well as the top of the fork, and the seat bridge and back of the seat tube.
The guards also use polypropylene flaps, which attach to the back of the front and rear guards, reducing mud spray that ends up on you (mainly your feet), your bike and your fellow riders.
Latest deals on Kinesis Fend-Off Wide Fenders
What to look for in gravel bike mudguards
Not every mudguard will work for every bike, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare to figure out what works best for you.
Does your gravel bike have mudguard holes?
Fender holes in the frame and fork allow you to run full fenders. Ribble
Check if your bike has holes for mounting fixed mudguards around the axles, fork crown, seat bridge and seat tube base. If your bike has these, then you can choose from different types of mudguards.
If your gravel bike doesn’t have mudguard holes, you’ll need to go for clip-on mudguards.
How much protection do you need?
Where you are planning to ride will have some bearing on what type of mudguard you should look for. Portland Design Works
Whether you opt for short-coverage fenders for reduced weight and ease of use, or long-coverage fenders for maximum protection, depends largely on personal preference, where you’re going and who you’re riding with.
Short coverage clip-on mudguards will do just fine to keep the worst of the dirt away. However, if you plan to ride regularly with friends or in a group, longer coverage guards, especially those with flaps, will be better (read: more courteous) at keeping anyone behind you dry. Many club racers will tell you that longer coverage mudguards are the sociable option.
The worse the conditions you drive in, the more likely you will benefit from long coverage mudguards.
That said, even long-cover fenders aren’t as easy to fit as many short-cover options. Also, since they tend to fit closer to the tire than short coverage guards, you may need to be…