Crud Roadracer mudguards
Mountain bike company releases innovative road bike mudguards
It’s not very often (I can’t remember the last time) that a product arrives on the RCUK desk and gets the editorial team whisked up into a frenzy of excitement, but the new Crud Roadracer mudguards have done just that.
In 1991 Some 10 years ago or more Pete Tomkins developed the Crud Catcher, a simple plastic mudguard which attached to the downtube via rubber bands or zipties. It was an instant hit and still remains the default choice for all mountain bikers. It’s taken a long time though but the wait is finally over, Crud has developed a product as smart for us road cyclists.
And the results are impressive. Traditionally mudguards need to be of a sturdy nature to resist flexing about and rubbing the wheel, but with this approach comes extra weight. What Crud have done is turn the traditional design approach on its head, choosing a super lightweight (just 180g/pair) setup that uses slim ‘brushes’ to stop them rattling about and keep them floating centrally over the wheels.
Simplicity is a key factor, with very few parts and straight forward installation that should take all of five minutes, using lugs attached to the frame with rubber bands, and thumbnuts attaching the mudguards to the lugs. The really smart part of the design are the ‘pilestrips’ that stick to the inside of guards and gently rub on the rim to keep the mudguards centrally aligned – Crud assure that extensive tests have proved that there’s been absolutely no wear of the rim, the friction involved being far too light to cause any concern. Replacement pile strips are available.
They cope with tyres up to 25mm and cost £27.99. www.crudproducts.com. We’ll get this pair fitted and report back very soon…
Discuss this story
I have to admit - they are longer then the race blades I have. Look forward to hearing the reviews from you all before I think about changing. Can anyone do a compare between the two brands ????? Ie same ride, same weather but 2 bikes fitted with each and check out the weather protection.
Posted: 08/09/2009 12:12
I ordered some of these and they have arrived today - as soon as I get changed (5 mins) I'll go put them on. Only got a rear wheel for now so I can't fit them both but I'll let you know how I get on.
Posted: 08/09/2009 21:06
I got a set a couple of days ago and have just spent a frustrating hour or so trying them out on the back wheel of a Cervelo R3 and a Specialized Allez, both with 23mm treads. No matter what I do I cannot get them to fit on either bike without them touching the tyre at it's highest point. It's as though the radius of the guard does not follow the radius of the wheel, it is flatter. There is so much flex in the system that no matter what I do I can't get them positioned so as not to touch - they just force themselves back into the plastic's 'natural' position. The rubber 'o' rings are too loose for the Cervelo's thin stays as well. I have one more machine with 25 mm tyres on and I'll try that tomorrow but I've had enough for tonight! As for getting them fitted in 5 minutes, I challenge anyone. First impression? Look nice, good idea but I think it will be total hit and miss as to what bikes they will fit. Anything with a close clearance looks impossible to me, but isn't that what they were designed for? If anyone can tell me the secret of fitting I'd appreciate it.
Posted: 08/09/2009 21:12
Gadgetman heres a pic of them fitted to an allez http://forums.cyclingweekly.co.uk/showflat.php?Number=72883 looks like hes had to fit them a bit further up the stay to avoid the rub but still look ok imo The picture shows pretty much what I get when fitting them - the guard in my case is resting on the tyre at the very top and it's impossible to get an even gap all around. The picture shows a big gap at the end of the guard. I really want them to work! Tomorrow is another day.
Posted: 08/09/2009 22:00
Just fitted these to an Allez - they seem alright. The instructions are a little cryptic at first but after they don't take long at all to fit. Managed to adjust them so they don't run either.
Posted: 08/09/2009 22:17
Thanks for that Martin. Makes sense thinking about it. The positive reviews others have given them obviously mean they work for someone! I'll come home relaxed tomorrow evening and try again.
Posted: 08/09/2009 22:45
Anyone know whether these will work on a bike with tight clearance under the forks? I've just got rid of some SKS mudguards which just about squeezed under but proved to be too close to the tyre, tiny movement would bring them into contact and I was contantly having to adjust them. Got fed up with them in the end. I like the look of these Crud ones but don't want to repeat the experience of constantly fiddling with mudguards that don't really fit.
Posted: 16/09/2009 15:14
Anyone know whether these will work on a bike with tight clearance under the forks?
That's what they are designed for
Posted: 16/09/2009 19:09
you may get some rubbing on the tyre in front of the brake on really close setups ... my trek 1.9's angles must be a little odd as I had to put a small piece of packing under the crown to "force" the guard down a little and thereby create enough clearance - still stopped the rattles on really rough roads at the same time 
Posted: 17/09/2009 14:31
Got mine fitted nicely in the end on the 'winter' bike where they will stay. I did have the same problem as the post above though. No matter what I did I couldn't stop the extension pieces rubbing on the tyre in front of each brake. I eventually used some adhesive rubber tape, about a millimetre thick, to pack the joints slightly before screwing up tight to change the angle very slightly on the extensions and get a bit of clearance. Just need to get out in the rain and test them now.
Posted: 17/09/2009 20:41
Okay - was a bit concerned by this customer review on wiggle: "tried fitting them on both of my road bikes and on both occassions the guard rubbed the centre of the tyre (700x23C) near where the cable tie holds the guard to the brake bolt. Tried moving the arms and tie wrap position with no success" This was among other very good reviews, but is exactly the problem I had with my previous guards. Might get some and try the fix above though - send 'em back if it doesn't work.
Posted: 18/09/2009 12:29
Just can't wait for it to rain. Er, thanks.... And thanks for the rest of the post
Posted: 23/09/2009 18:54
Just got some from Wheelbase as well. Ordered 3.30 Mon. Arrived morning post Tues. Fitted to my Trek 5200 that PM. No problem at all. Hope to test ride tomorow. You will get rubbing problems if you pull the zip ties too tight. Just enough to stop rattle.
Posted: 23/09/2009 23:27
One of the guys on the training ride last night had just fitted a set of these. Apparently it was easy to do and they looked pretty good (for mudguards). Nearing the end of the ride he punctured, caused by a sidewall cut, resulting in the rear guard being pulled into the wheel. The guard did not break away as expected and the end of the guard was snapped off. Also, they are not particularly long at the back. Which is fine if you ride by yourself but not good if you ride in a group. They look too light to add an extended flap, something done to just about every raceblade I have ever seen. Just thought I'd share that with you
Posted: 24/09/2009 12:52
Did it lock his wheel though. They don't say that they will not break, only that they remain safe. Most raceblade I have seen with added flaps are not much lower than these. For a flap to be really effective it must be quite long. If the rider behind can see your tyre the the cr*p will hit him in the face. Very few flaps are that long, not even my 9" one on the full guards on my winter bike. I got mine for the days when it might rain, not the ones when I know it will.
Posted: 24/09/2009 16:15
For the days when it might rain, not the ones when I know it will.
I wish I had thought of that
Posted: 24/09/2009 16:29
They don't say that they will not break, No, but they do say that they will snap off, Which they didn't. Which is why they broke. Most raceblade I have seen with added flaps are not much lower than these.
Well the ones I have seen are much lower than these, including my own. I got mine for the days when it might rain, not the ones when I know it will. I got mine so that I can ride my good bike even when I know it's going to rain.
Posted: 25/09/2009 21:34
Just some more comments about fitting. I have just put them on a Felt Z35 and it was not straighforward. I am running 25mm tyres. I discovered that where the chainstays meet - just below the brake caliper, there is small protruding of the carbon about 1-2mm, which is just enough to force the mudguard onto the tyre. I had to cut the guard just after the cable tie in order to fit. It seems to be a workable compromise but not great to start bodging a fit on a new set of mudguards. The front extension is rubbing very slightly so I think some of the suggestions already spoken about - just to lift it up 1-2mm or so should do the trick. Also, my front forks are fairly aero-profiled and the lugs that attach to the fork (front) or chainstays (rear) are fairly rounded and would suit a more rounded fork. Still fits but a nicer snug fitting would have been preferable. Not convinced about the brushes - I think they could have done better here perhaps with plastic backed brushes that could have been bolted through a slot in the guard itself - for raising and lowering. Will they last? I have my doubts. No problems with the first ride and you basically forget that they are on - so that's a positive. Remained dry despite forcing myself through a few puddles. In summary: Yes they work but as cyclists are finding out - the fit is a bit hit and miss and they are advertised for fitting 23-25mm tyres so dissapointing to have to resort to some DIY for fitting. I think they need to look further into some aspects of the design to make it a winning product. The problem here is not the guards but your frame. They can not be expected to fit every bike out there. They went straight on my Trek 5200 in about 20 minutes and do not rub at all. As for the brushes, they hardly touch the rim so I expect them to last. Cheap enough if they don't. IMO they are much better than the Raceguard alternative. They generally fit better, give better cover and the clincher, you can hardly see them.
I agree with you in part Tiff but if you buy a product that is aimed at a road race bike (check) and has 23-25mm tyres (check) then it is not unreasonable to expect them to fit. If I was to buy a new 700c front wheel and then it didn't fit - i couldn't really say well - that's fine - I didn't expect the wheel to fit every road bike out there. I think as much as anything else in the bike world - it is down to a lack of standards inherent in frame design and I am sure the last thing they are thinking about is frame clearance for mudguards. That isn't Crud's fault sure but they should make it clearer in their advertising that they are not going to be suitable - perhaps by advertising tolerances between tyre and frame. I still think it is a good product but some design tweeks would make it a great product.
Posted: 07/10/2009 10:43
I agree with you in part Tiff but if you buy a product that is aimed at a road race bike (check) and has 23-25mm tyres (check) then it is not unreasonable to expect them to fit. If I was to buy a new 700c front wheel and then it didn't fit - i couldn't really say well - that's fine - I didn't expect the wheel to fit every road bike out there. I think as much as anything else in the bike world - it is down to a lack of standards inherent in frame design and I am sure the last thing they are thinking about is frame clearance for mudguards. That isn't Crud's fault sure but they should make it clearer in their advertising that they are not going to be suitable - perhaps by advertising tolerances between tyre and frame. I still think it is a good product but some design tweeks would make it a great product.
If there is not enough clearance under the brake bridge or fork crown for the thin plastic strip, you could try fitting 23c tyres. They are probably what the frame is ideally made for.
Posted: 07/10/2009 11:43
I bought a set of these mudguards after "wet arse syndrome" out on the first wet ride of the year,i bought these specific ones not through recomendations but through the price and the fact i didn't want to make my Giant look like a tourer (theres nothing wrong with tourers before i get shot for that comment) also i had looked at the Giant aluminum ones and decided that for £49.00 they were just out of my price range i liked the look of the crud ones and thought i should give them a go the instructions were to be fair easy to follow and if i was in a real hurry to fit them could have done it in 10 mins, although i took longer because i wanted to stick some clear frame protection between the stays and the frame to stop them rubbing off the paint ,all in all they fit great and had no major problems although the brushes are of little use to me as i have a good 10mm between the mud guard and the rim of the wheel on both sides, i think it is because i have changed the standard wheels for a pair of Ritchie wds wheels with 700x23c tyres but i can see that the standard ones would need the brushes as they are a lot wider might try to upload some photos if i get a bit more time Regards Ant
Posted: 07/10/2009 12:37
A friend at work has had a set for around a month now. He broke his front one this morning when he caught his foot on it and is just trying to sort out how such repairs can be made/warrantee issues etc
Posted: 07/10/2009 12:43
Although the brushes are of little use to me as i have a good 10mm between the mud guard and the rim of the wheel on both sides, i think it is because i have changed the standard wheels for a pair of Ritchie wds wheels with 700x23c tyres but i can see that the standard ones would need the brushes as they are a lot wider might try to upload some photos if i get a bit more time Regards Ant
I think the brushes are to prevent the wheel snagging the guard when going over bumps as the guards are not designed to be as rigid as normal ones. Mine do not touch either. I would say that if they are rubbing at all hard then the guards are not suitable for use with those wheels.
Posted: 07/10/2009 12:58
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