Cycling - commuting and mudguards

jon1981

Seriously, as a daily commuter i'm getting increasingly angry about the amount of cyclists who do not have or use a rear mudguard in the rain. Whether it's pure ignorance I don't know, but please have a level of consideration for the poor soul behind you getting your filthy rear wheel spray in the face. :mad::mad:

Wishbone Ash

Avoid drafting.

jon1981

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Avoid drafting.

It wasn't drafting, slow moving cycling and outside 5 feet in distance

Kevincavan83

In fairness mudguards are only really to stop the cyclist ass wet.
Hence the ass-saver that clips under the saddle.
Once im dry I couldn't care who is behind me, you've just got to peddle faster tomorrow

Wishbone Ash

jon1981 wrote: »

It wasn't drafting, slow moving cycling ..

Go to the front!

How would you manage in a club ride on rural roads in winter if, like my club, there's no requirement to have them fitted?

jon1981

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Go to the front!

How would you manage in a club ride on rural roads in winter if, like my club, there's no requirement to have them fitted?

Obviously I got to the front! But to get to the front you have to cycle from the rear, yeah?

Well from the club websites I have seen they are mandated in most clubs

Beasty

jon1981 wrote: »

Well from the club websites I have seen they are mandated in most clubs

On club spins when people are formally riding as a group yes. That's nothing to do with commuting though.

Many will be thinking about putting mudguards on over the coming weeks, but as already highlighted you have options which would avoid the worst effects of others not using them.

tomasrojo

The real difference in cutting out rear spray is having a rear mudflap. I added one to stop my trailers getting filthy, and the improvement over mudguards alone is huge.

I don't picture too many people fitting them though. Though they are "a welcome courtesy if you ride with other cyclists", which seems about right.

TallGlass

Would you not be soaked already from the rain?

I can see how it would be annoying, but if your soaking wet anyway!

Dipsomaniac

To be honest, I find that on club spins that I get far more dirty water from cyclist with mudguards. They spray seems to arch more into the air and gets me in the face.

When commuting I try so cycle slightly off centre where possible to avoid most of the spray

Beasty

TallGlass wrote: »

Would you not be soaked already from the rain?

I can see how it would be annoying, but if your soaking wet anyway!

That may depend. I'll try to stay well clear of any wheel spray, but I wear glasses, and the crappy stuff kicked up from the road is far worse than the clear stuff descending from the skies (and for those not wearing glasses I suspect getting grit thrown into your eyes is not particularly pleasant either)

TallGlass

Beasty wrote: »

That may depend. I'll try to stay well clear of any wheel spray, but I wear glasses, and the crappy stuff kicked up from the road is far worse than the clear stuff descending from the skies (and for those not wearing glasses I suspect getting grit thrown into your eyes is not particularly pleasant either)

Makes sense

Slydice

None of you been commutting down the quays in Dublin the last few months? Seems to be shedloads of cyclists about.

I imagine when the rain comes, a lot of newer and inexperienced commuter cyclists will get stuck behind other cyclists.

Over the years, I've noticed some cyclists without rear mudguards can look pretty bad.

It's not just them flinging dirty water up off the ground that can end up in your eye or mouth.

Sometimes it's the **** stain look they get on their own backs cos some spray seems to get on them.

Sometimes it combines with cyclists in the tight spandex gear and to me it half looks like they've **** themselves

Beasty

Slydice wrote: »

I imagine when the rain comes, a lot of newer and inexperienced commuter cyclists will get stuck behind other cyclists.

I imagine that when this happens numbers will diminish significantly ....

Seaswimmer

Beasty wrote: »

I imagine that when this happens numbers will diminish significantly ....

Off topic but the new cycle counter is fitted outside Willow Park on the Rock road. It is due to be turned on this week. The last one was hit by a car in 2014.

Total trips for 2013 was almost 200, 000. I pass it every day at the same time. I was usually around number 120 -150.

On a wet morning I have been as low as number 35..

So you are correct. it wont be much of an issue for the OP during the wet winter weather

xebec

Dipsomaniac wrote: »

To be honest, I find that on club spins that I get far more dirty water from cyclist with mudguards. They spray seems to arch more into the air and gets me in the face.

This is true in my experience too, the rear mudguard sends the majority of spray to head height of the rider behind whereas without a mudguard/just with an ass saver the spray is spread over a wider circumference...

I only run an ass saver on my road bike, no rule in my club about having mudguards (that I'm aware of at least!).

tomasrojo

I can't see how the water can arch more in the air when mudguards are used. The water is thrown in a "rooster tail" back from the wheel (and somewhat forward). The standard mudguard just cuts off the top of the tail. I can't see how it can add to the tail.

Fian

Seaswimmer wrote: »

Off topic but the new cycle counter is fitted outside Willow Park on the Rock road. It is due to be turned on this week. The last one was hit by a car in 2014.

Total trips for 2013 was almost 200, 000. I pass it every day at the same time. I was usually around number 120 -150.

On a wet morning I have been as low as number 35..

So you are correct. it wont be much of an issue for the OP during the wet winter weather

I am noticing that the one in clonskeagh is failing to register me passing it recently. number is not cycling over. It does register me some days but most days doesn't. Shame really because i imagine budget decisions depend in part on the number of cyclists commuting into town and an undercount will reduce the budget.

Carawaystick

jon1981 wrote: »

Seriously, as a daily commuter i'm getting increasingly angry about the amount of cyclists who do not have or use a rear mudguard in the rain. Whether it's pure ignorance I don't know, but please have a level of consideration for the poor soul behind you getting your filthy rear wheel spray in the face. :mad::mad:

Wait til its really wet and an overtaking car sprays you from a pothole, Or an 18-Wheeler passes...

kenmc

jon1981 wrote: »

Seriously, as a daily commuter i'm getting increasingly angry about the amount of cyclists who do not have or use a rear mudguard in the rain. Whether it's pure ignorance I don't know, but please have a level of consideration for the poor soul behind you getting your filthy rear wheel spray in the face. :mad::mad:

Sure it's hardly even rained this week!!!!

Peck3277

On the topic of mudguards how do you know if you can put full mudguards on your bike? I've a Merida Ride 100 that doesn't have the eyelets by the wheel. Does that mean I need clip on ones and if so anyone have suggestions for good cheap ones?

Macy0161

My commuter is also my only road bike, so I don't have mudguards fitted. A new bike is on order, so when it does become the commuter, then I'll probably put mudguards on. But that will be for my benefit not some randomer behind me tbh!

07Lapierre

Peck3277 wrote: »

On the topic of mudguards how do you know if you can put full mudguards on your bike? I've a Merida Ride 100 that doesn't have the eyelets by the wheel. Does that mean I need clip on ones and if so anyone have suggestions for good cheap ones?

You just answered your own question...

Raceblades or Crud II mudguards are specifically designed for bikes that don't have eyelets. Both are a compromise and not as good as full mudguards.

Carawaystick

Halfords have plastic mudgards, that ziptie onto the brake bolt, and elastic band onto the forks/stays

cdaly_

tomasrojo wrote: »

I can't see how the water can arch more in the air when mudguards are used. The water is thrown in a "rooster tail" back from the wheel (and somewhat forward). The standard mudguard just cuts off the top of the tail. I can't see how it can add to the tail.

Presumably the water hits the inside of the mudguard and then runs back down and is picked up by the lower part of the tail and thrown back.

tomasrojo

cdaly_ wrote: »

Presumably the water hits the inside of the mudguard and then runs back down and is picked up by the lower part of the tail and thrown back.

From what I can see, a lot of the spray that hits the mudguard runs out the sides of the mudguard. I think even the water that goes straight back down won't end up "arching higher" or whatever. I suppose you might end up with a thicker spray lower down than you would have had without mudguards,

Whichever way, I'm quite sure that standard mudguards don't cut off enough of the tail to keep people directly behind you dry anyway. You do need a mudflap for that.

Mec-a-nic

jon1981 wrote: »

..the amount of cyclists who do not have or use a rear mudguard in the rain.

Road bikes aside, I blame the overall market that sells bikes without mudguards or lights in a country with rain and nights...

I've full 'guards year round on my commuting tourer, you're welcome to draft/lead here.

jive

Can some veteran commuters post up some essentials for a wet commute? I'll be moving job soon and will commute by bicycle, 8km in and 8km out.

Water proof Panniers (for work clothes, gym gear, laptop, lunch, etc.)
Water proof pants + jacket + helmet cap
Gloves

Anything else required? My bike already has mud guards

07Lapierre

jive wrote: »

Can some veteran commuters post up some essentials for a wet commute? I'll be moving job soon and will commute by bicycle, 8km in and 8km out.

Water proof Panniers (for work clothes, gym gear, laptop, lunch, etc.)
Water proof pants + jacket + helmet cap
Gloves

Anything else required? My bike already has mud guards

Lights!
Spare inner tube x2
mini pump (and/or Co2 canister and inflater)
Multitool x1

As for water proofs? I think the best option is a spare set of cycling clothes left in work. that way you will always have dry clothes to cycle home in. No rain gear is 100% waterproof.

Idleater

I use ortlieb panniers and normal lycra cycling gear. I also commute with full mudguards . My experience with leggings is that you either get wet anyway or get massively sweaty or both. I do wear a rain cape, but the same applies.
In winter I go with staying warm rather than dry.

07Lapierre

Perfect timing...just found this.....
"Do you have a tip for cycling to work? Share you advice in the comment section below.

Keep some dry gear at work just in case you can’t dry it before your home ride.
Bradley Ashworth

Prepare everything the night before: kit, shoes, bike, lunch, whatever you need. You’ll be less likely to talk yourself out of it if you can just get up and go!
Stewart Mead"


http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/15-top-tips-for-commuting-to-work-by-bike-193013?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social

Fian

jive wrote: »

Can some veteran commuters post up some essentials for a wet commute? I'll be moving job soon and will commute by bicycle, 8km in and 8km out.

Water proof Panniers (for work clothes, gym gear, laptop, lunch, etc.)
Water proof pants + jacket + helmet cap
Gloves

Anything else required? My bike already has mud guards

Problem with the waterproof gear is you sweat so end up wet whether it rains or not, plus it is unpleasant to cycle in.

My commute is similar length - I use cycling tights from lidl under a normal pair of cloth shorts. Then cycling top under a (non waterproof) jacket above the waist. If it is lashing i might take a waterproof jacket instead. Basically clothes that will wick moisture away from the skin. Doesn't matter if I get wet then - either way I am changing all my clothes when i get into work and these clothes are all comfortable when wet. In fact I generally really enjoy it if it is lashing rain. Only downside is sometimes having to get back into damp gear to cycle home if I forgot to dry it out, but even that is not a big deal really.

Gloves also essential along with helmet, lights, tyre levers, minipump, spare tubes. Overshoes not essential imo but might be useful on a wet day, I have some at home and have never bothered putting them on to commute tbh.

Full Lycra gear (with cycling shorts rather than cotton ones) would probably be even better, but I don't fancy walking through work in that and reserve it for longer cycles on the weekends.

I carry underwear, socks, shirt in a backpack and keep suits/shoes/ties in my office. Bring suits home in backpack if I need to get them dry cleaned.

Panniers would be even better but on a short commute with a ventilated back on the backpack they are not essential.

Wishbone Ash

Keep a stash of newspapers at work. Stuff wet shoes with the newspaper and then wrap them in more newspaper. It will draw the moisture out of the shoes and they will be almost dry for the commute home.

jive

Top tips, thanks folks. I have a saddle bag with multi tool, tubes etc. just forgot to mention it. A puncture on the commute to work would wreck my head though!

Aim for warmth and just get cleaned up at the gym/office seems to be the way to go.

tomasrojo

jive wrote: »

Can some veteran commuters post up some essentials for a wet commute? I'll be moving job soon and will commute by bicycle, 8km in and 8km out.

Water proof Panniers (for work clothes, gym gear, laptop, lunch, etc.)
Water proof pants + jacket + helmet cap
Gloves

Personally, I do cycles like that in normal clothes (actually, I do all cycles in normal clothes) and use rain gear over them, including rain trousers, when required. I find it perfectly practical. I bring a change of shirt; my rain top is very light, so it's only good for about ten minutes of heavy rain, but it does seem to keep you reasonably warm when you get wet. A change of trousers I only need for torrential rain. The mud flap I mentioned earlier helps enormously. I wear hiking boots for rain (my line of work almost never has a strict dress policy). Before I put in the mud flap, I had to wear over-shoes, but now I don't seem to need them. I don't use a helmet, so no helmet cap, but I do have a water-proof hat.

What you have sounds fine. Some changes of clothes in your water-proof panniers for really wet days is a good idea.

davidtimoney

Hi,

I`m from the Dublin Cycling Campaign and I was contacted by a journalist who is doing a story on long cycling commuters. Could anyone on this forum who does a long commute (greater than 25k each way) contact me?

Thks

eeeee

davidtimoney wrote: »

Hi,

I`m from the Dublin Cycling Campaign and I was contacted by a journalist who is doing a story on long cycling commuters. Could anyone on this forum who does a long commute (greater than 25k each way) contact me?

Thks

You might want to start your own specific thread, you'll get more responses that way.

Plastik

I'm doing about 24k each way daily.

Welshkev

davidtimoney wrote: »

Hi,

I`m from the Dublin Cycling Campaign and I was contacted by a journalist who is doing a story on long cycling commuters. Could anyone on this forum who does a long commute (greater than 25k each way) contact me?

Thks

65km round trip for me

lennymc

105km round trip twice weekly (ish)

Seweryn

davidtimoney wrote: »

Hi,

I`m from the Dublin Cycling Campaign and I was contacted by a journalist who is doing a story on long cycling commuters. Could anyone on this forum who does a long commute (greater than 25k each way) contact me?

There are a good few commuters here, myself included. Normally I commute 25 (morning) to 46+, depends on the route.