Crud Roadracers Review

Crud Roadracers are plastic mudguards (fenders) designed to be fitted to road bikes which don't have the fittings for conventional guards. They are inexpensive, lightweight, stylish, and don't require a lot of clearance.

They only weigh about 180 g (6.5 ounces). You really aren't going to get lighter guards for your bike but even if you could, you wouldn't actually feel the difference.

If you can slide a 5 mm Allen key (hex wrench) between your tires and brake callipers, your bike has enough clearance. You will probably be okay with 4 mm. 3 mm isn't really enough. If you have large tires and insufficient clearance, going down a tire size may help.

The geometry of many racing bikes is such that you may well experience 'toeclip overlap' after fitting guards to your bike (any guards, not just the Roadracers). It means that the front of your feet may contact the rear of the guards when making slow turns. At normal speeds, you won't be turning the front wheel enough for it to be a problem.

Fitting is straightforward, the instructions are clear and no tools are required. Take special note of the warning not to overtighten the cable ties (zip ties) which hold the guards below the brake callipers. If those ties are overtightened they distort the shape of the guards.

I took my time fitting the guards and I was finished in well under 30 minutes. I think you could do it in nearer 10 minutes if you read the instructions beforehand. I've done two rides in the rain since fitting the Roadracers to my bike. They were 100% effective at keeping the spray from the rear wheel off my back. They significantly reduced the amount of water getting on my feet and bike 'transmission' but didn't completely eliminate that.

The guards are designed so that the stays will break away and/or shatter should any debris from the road get jammed in them. I haven't put that to the test, but the manufacturers have. Spares are available from them should they be required.

The only real shortcoming I found is that the rear guard does not provide complete protection for a rider immediately behind you - It doesn't extend down far enough for that. I usually ride alone in wet weather, but this might be a problem for you on wet group rides.

If your bike is suitable, and you are not concerned about the length of the rear guard then I highly recommend this product.

By: Colin Jameson

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A more detailed review including a photograph of a pair of Roadracers fitted to one of my racing bikes is available at my blog's Crud Roadracer Mudguards (Fenders) review. You will be more likely to enjoy riding in wet weather if you fit bicycle mudguards (bicycle fenders).