What size mudguards?

quenching

Which size mudguards do I need for 700 x 32c tyres? Obviously 700, but will 35mm wide be too tight on clearance? Is it wiser to go for the 42/45mm size? And anyone care to explain what the difference is between SKS Chromoplastic Mudguards and SKS Bluemels Mudguards?

rottenhat

45mm I would think - what bike are you riding?

The Chromoplastics are excellent mudguards - I haven't used the others but they're aluminium so I'd guess they're heavier and more rattley than the plastic ones. Hard to go wrong with SKS though,

quenching

Due to pick up a Giant CRS Alliance in a couple of weeks and need to add some mudguards, comes with Maxxis Detonator 700x28mm tyres as standard but I'm going to change them to Continental Sport Contact for better puncture protection and thought I might increase the size to 32c in an effort to soften the ride a little. I'll take your advice and order some 45mm Chromoplastics.

Thanks

Lumen

quenching wrote: »

thought I might increase the size to 32c in an effort to soften the ride a little.

FWIW I've gone from commuting on 28s to 23s, and just got used to doing more bunnyhopping (it's fun).

32mm is probably overkill, but horses for courses.

rottenhat

And the fork and brake bridge are drilled for the bolts that the mudguards mount to? It's hard to imagine that they wouldn't be but bike designers do some retarded things sometimes. Anyone else have one who can confirm?

quenching

Bike shop assures me its got all the relevant holes etc. I'm more concerned with 10% extra comfort than 10% extra speed, but that said I might just try the 28c for a while and see how I get on, now that Lumen has made be feel too soft for my own good :eek: I presume 28c's need 35mm mudguards?

blorg

P35 does 700x20-28
P45 does 700x28-37

If you think you may want to run bigger than 700x28 just get the larger mudguards now.

I have P45s on my Tricross, currently with 700x25c tyres. Looks a bit odd and they are probably a smidge heavier than the P35s but no real issues otherwise. Have P35s on my tourer (also with 700x25c.)

Ryaner

I've got those sks mudguards on my Giant. My tyres were 26c and the clearance is quite tight. Any kind of of centre in the rear tyre would rub against the mounting bolts. The new 25c gatorskin is a bit better.

My bike doesn't take the larger set and I'm considering going down to a 23c or even 20c on the front to try help when things get pulled up from the road into the mudguard.

Lumen

quenching wrote: »

I'm more concerned with 10% extra comfort than 10% extra speed, but that said I might just try the 28c for a while and see how I get on, now that Lumen has made be feel too soft for my own good :eek:

Ah sorry about that, wasn't my intention.

I just checked and discovered I was lying. My Tricross Single actually has 32s on, not 28s...although it's been sitting in the shed all summer as I've been commuting on the skinny tyred road bike (mostly for the gears).

Whatever decision you make it'll be wrong. Big mudguards will look ugly, small mudguards won't fit big tyres, any mudguards look uglier than none, no mudguards will cause a wet arse, etc etc. The grass is always greener.

blorg

@Ryaner- don't go lower than 700x23, you start to get into a world of pain and problems below 23mm and actually even lose speed. 700x23 has become the road racing standard for a reason.

rottenhat

blorg wrote: »

P35 does 700x20-28
P45 does 700x28-37

If you think you may want to run bigger than 700x28 just get the larger mudguards now.

+1. I have the P35s and run 28s and I wouldn't say there's clearance for a wider tire. No shame in running 32s - that's touring standard, plenty of good tires in that range.

Gavin

Lumen wrote: »

FWIW I've gone from commuting on 28s to 23s, and just got used to doing more bunnyhopping (it's fun).

32mm is probably overkill, but horses for courses.

Yes, I observed your Evel Knievel impression last night as you rocketed off the kerb on the way into the phoenix park. It was like a dove taking flight. Beautiful.