The function of a Fender/Mudguard is simple, to suppress spray from your winter tyres stopping it from reaching your kit and keeping you warm and dry. Mudguards/fenders can also protect your bike, keeping your drivetrain clean and increasing the longevity of your components. The rule of thumb is the longer the guard, the greater the level of protection. Mudguards/Fenders don't replace winter cycling jackets but will keep the spray to a minimum helping them to perform better.
Fitting mudguards/fenders to some bikes can be challenging which is why many will hang up their best road bike in favour of an endurance road bike or gravel bike. These bikes offer greater clearances around the tyre and dedicated mounts for ease of fitting mudguards/fenders. Choose to continue riding one of the best aero bikes year round, then brands like SKS with the Raceblade XL Pro offer great clip-on options.
For this guide, I have selected six of our highest-rated mudguard/fender options for winter road cycling. Tested relentlessly throughout wet and cold UK & PNW winters, our best overall stamp goes to the Portland Design Works full metal fenders. PDW guards offer great protection in a variety of widths. With our honourable mention going to the Ass Savers Win Wing 2, its minimal coverage keeps you surprisingly dry.
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New reviews, along with more information on how we test mudguards, what we look for during testing and answering more frequently asked questions about mudguards/fenders.
Can't manoeuvre on the back wheel in tight spots as mudflap gets in the way
These anodised aluminium fenders/mudguards from Portland Design Works come in at an impressive 446g (as fitted) and they are able - with optional axle tabs - to fit bikes without traditional frame eyelets as well.
To stop your toes from clashing with the stay end caps, the Full Metal fenders/mudguards use a single stay design that is kept higher on the front fender than a double stay type. It made low-speed manoeuvring easier, although there was still toe overlap on my bike but that's the bike and not the mudguard's fault.
PDW's full-wrap offering were remarkably easy to fit and setup, and having discrete breakaway clips at both ends which was a nice touch. Once on the bike, they were super stiff which stopped any tire buzz, even when rocking the bike from side to side on a steep hill.
There are three widths available, and these 37mm wide mudguards are able to accommodate up to a 30mm tyre. They looked in proportion when using a 28mm tire and there was a good amount of space to the side of the tire.
Along with the silence, the stealthy look from the matt black finish keeps everything pretty discreet. These mudguards are really good and are well worth strong consideration despite the higher price than other options here.
Plenty of length to keep your feet and your riding companions dry
+
Sensible price
Reasons to avoid
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Mounting can be tricky on disc-brake bikes
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No breakaway brackets
Bontrager's NCS fenders/mudguards have a clever trick up their stays: instead of trimming them to make them fit your bike properly, you adjust the length of the stays by sliding the two parts up or down as necessary, using the built-in clamps to then lock them in place - thus providing maximum coverage without the possibility of annoying extra faff.
With that extra-long coverage, our reviewer found that the Bontrager NCS fenders/mudguards offer more protection than many other ‘full-length’ mudguards. The rubber mudflaps at the ends of fenders further add to the length and help reduce road spray for your feet or friends, but these aren’t as long as we see on some other mudguard sets.
The Bontrager NCS fenders/mudguards come in a range of sizes: from 18-25mm for old-school road bikes and all the way up to 35-45mm for trendy new gravel bikes. The set we had on test was right in the middle, designed for 28-35mm 700c tyres - which is typical for winter bikes these days.
There is a mount on the rear fender for a Blendr light (also sold by Bontrager), but user reviews on Trek’s site suggest it’s been a bit fragile for some folks. We didn’t have an accompanying light for this review, so can’t comment directly on its performance - but it’s there if you would like to use it.
SKS’s Bluemels Basic fenders/mudguards do a reasonably good job of keeping you dry. Their coverage isn’t as long as some - and our tester did find that you get spray over your feet from the front wheel and anyone following behind will still get a coating.
But that said, you perfectly well attach your own mudflaps to the Bluemels Basic and extend their spray protection that way. It’s simple (and cheap) enough to fashion a set from a few sheets of rubber - and there are even brands which offer funky designs, such as Raw Mudflap.
The construction consists of a sandwich of thin aluminium encased in plastic. It’s not quite as rigid as an all-metal design, but thanks to the sturdy stays, our tester didn’t have any issues with rubbing. But naturally, if you try to cram a wider tire than recommended - or if the clearance between your seatstays is particularly tight - you can still experience issues.
There are fenders / mudguards which do provide more coverage at a similar price - even within SKS’s own range, such as the SKS Longboards. If wet weather protection is most important to you, the choice between the two is pretty obvious. But there will be those who prefer the tidier looks of the Bluemels Basics.
Other rivals include Bontrager with their NCS fenders / mudguards that are longer and easier to fit, but more expensive and the Portland Design Works Full Metal Fenders which are absolutely brilliant but are more than double the price of the Bluemels Basics.
Front guard won’t fit if frame clearance to wheel is small
The SKS Raceblade Pro XL Stealth Series guards tip the scales at 380 grams, when weighed with the rubber attachment straps. They are compatible with 700c wheels and tire widths of up to 32mm. The front fender provides a coverage of 565mm and the rear 730mm.
Testing these on both traditional round tubes and aero-profiled carbon frames, the SKS Raceblade Pro XL Stealth Series fits securely and is easy to make micro-adjustments with, to ensure that the clearances between the frame and tires are sufficient. The fenders are also very quick to remove for rides on dry days.
Naturally, you (and the people behind you) get less protection than with a set of full-length fenders. But as a lightweight and quick-to-remove set (perfect for bikes without mudguard eyelets), the SKS Raceblade Pro XL Stealth Series do a respectable job, keeping the worst of the muck off and leaving you warmer and more comfortable.
This, combined with the minimally fussy fitting, makes the SKS Raceblade Pro XL Stealth Series better than any of its clip-on competitors - which generally either don’t fit as well or don’t offer as good protection. Value-wise they are a bit more expensive than the competition, but they are also readily available for less online.
Easy removal - they're not 'on for good' from October to March
Reasons to avoid
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Rear mudguard had to sit very high to avoid rubbing
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You may have to carry spare mudguard parts when riding
If all you knew about the Crud Mk3 Roadracers was their impressively low weight you would be forgiven for thinking they didn't offer much coverage. That is the one thing that really impressed me. For 260 grams you get a full coverage fender.
Despite being in the Clip-on category the Roadracers velcro on to your fork and cable tied to the rear. Which creates a clean look, reduces abrasion to paintwork and is a totally tool-free installation process. I did the initial install in about 15 minutes, but as will all mudguards what followed was a lifetime of fettling.
Once I was finally happy with the position I did forget the Roadracers were fitted and lived a trouble-free existence throughout the test.
The Flinger Race Pro guards are an easy-to-install set of clip-on mudguards that fit securely to road bikes without specific eyelets for mounting 'guards.
They feel light on the bike relative to some other fenders/mudguards and, with excellent coverage, the Race Pros keep you, your mates and your bike much dryer than going bare or using an 'asssaver' style fender.
In the box comes a rear guard with stays attached, a rear guard extension, adjustable stays with an attachment foot, a short bracket and four rubber attachment strips. The attachment strips wrap around the seat and chain stays then link onto a hook in the bracket that holds the guard in place.
The guard is a tight squeeze, and so in the case of our tester, he couldn't fit the entire product onto his bike. That said, it was functional even with one part of the guards missing from the bike.
Ass Savers Win Wing 2 fender: It is never going to replace full mudguards/fenders or even some of the better high-coverage clip-on systems like the SKS Raceblades. For a tiny Clip-on mudguard/fender, the Win Wing 2 does an absolutely incredible job. So much so, that our Pacific Northwest-based US editor Rook awarded it 5 stars out of 5.
Why is that significant?
The Pacific Northwest, like the UK, gets a lot of weather. A lot of rain specifically and Rook found the Win Wing 2 does an excellent job of keeping your chamois and back dry regardless of how wet and muddy there was.
The Cycling Weekly team dedicates swathes of time every winter to testing mudguards/fenders through the UK and Pacific Northwest inclement winters. Testing guards for rattles, easy of use, durable and levels of coverage.
Large parts of our testing are dedicated to the fitting methods and adjustability of every mudguard/fender set. For so many mudguards/fenders can be one of the most frustrating accessories to fit onto a bicycle. So, we only recommend the ones we know everyone can fit at home with a few simple tools.
Also high on our hit list, is durability. Mudguards/fenders get bashed around a lot when moving the bike around in the garage, knocked by your feet whilst riding or damaged in a crash. You don't want to have to adjust your guards every 5 minutes.
Finally, style and finish. We are a fickle bunch and bolting fenders onto a bike is never a delicate undertaking. So, they have to look good, be able to track the lines of the bike and survive a winter of salt, grit, mud and water eating away at all the fittings.
All you need to know about mudguards/fenders
What are bike fenders/mudguards?
Let’s get this out of the way before we go any further. Bike fenders/mudguards are cool! We pay hundreds of pounds/dollars for the best winter jacket yet refuse to admit mudguards/fenders do a far better job for a fraction of the cost.
There are, broadly speaking, two types of fender/mudguards: those for frames with dedicated fixing points. – and those for frames without, known as clip-on mudguards. Of course, even if your bike has mudguard eyes there’s no reason why you can’t use clip-ons if you’re looking for a lightweight, easily removable solution.
Why fit fenders/mudguards?
Shun them at your peril. Turning up for a winter club/group ride on a mudguard-less bike will not win you any friends. Many clubs still enforce rules about when you should fit guards. There is honestly nothing worse than sitting in a bunch behind the guy with no fenders.
Mudguards/Fenders also play a huge part in maintaining your bike over the winter months. Mudguards/fenders do a fantastic job of protecting your frame, keeping all the water, grit and salt from being flung at your nice paint job. More importantly, they protect your expensive drivetrain, prolonging the life of costly parts like chainrings and cassettes.
How easy are Mudguards/fenders to fit?
There is no one answer to this question, as it depends on which brand and model of mudguard/fender you fit.
If your frame has dedicated mudguard fixtures, then the likes of the PDW full metals and the SKS Bluemels mudguard/fenders will require the stays cutting. Once this is done it is a simple bolt-on job.
For most Clip-on mudguards/fenders it should just be as simple as using the fixtures and fittings provided. This is usually using the provided cable ties or silicone straps. Great examples of these are the SKS Raceblade Pros.
There is nuance in fitting any set of mudguards/fenders and one will never fit the same on two bikes. The real art is getting them in just the right place and getting them to stay put. This is not a job you should tackle ten minutes before the Sunday club run.
Fitted incorrectly, mudguards/fenders can be a pretty serious accident risk. It's worth taking your time and making sure they are secured correctly. For this reason, It is one of the few jobs I always recommend people get done at their local bike shop.
How do I know if my mudguards/fenders will fit?
Firstly, check the tyre you plan to run fits in the fender. The rule of thumb is whatever marked tyre size you run add 10mm for good all-round clearance. For example, if you run a marked 28mm tyre purchase guards at least 38mm wide.
You need to make sure you purchase the right fixing type. Does your frame and fork have dedicated fender mounting points? If not, think about a Clip-on option.
With Road bike tyre sizes and rim widths increasing in recent years, it is not uncommon to see 23mm internal rims and 30/32mm tyres on stock bikes. So, the need for wider fenders has become commonplace. For some alternative options, especially for those running 35mm or above consider some of these, the best mudguards/fenders for gravel bikes.
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Like so many, Matt got his start in the bicycle industry wheedling allen keys and the occasional hammer at his local bike shop. Matt grew up mountain biking in the flint-strewn hills of the North Downs, but was convinced during his time with Evans Cycles' in-house brands Pinnacle and Hoy Bikes to take up gravel cycling and bikepacking. Spotting the changing industry, Matt jumped at the opportunity to become an E-bike designer, and won several awards with Cairn Cycles and their range of gravel E-bikes.
These days, Matt will more than likely have a toddler sat shotgun and a balance bike lassoed to his back somewhere on the South Downs. What time he does get to ride for himself, he chooses to take his Sonder Camino to just about anywhere that's quiet, off the beaten track or with some historical point of interest.
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