Mudguards & lights

[Will J]

I'd be interested to hear any recommendations for mud guards for the road bike.
I did try the crud racers but didn't get on with them at all.
Also, any recommendations for a front light - limited budget!

[xrayspecs]

You could try this, not perfect but will keep your back and your clubmates faces dry.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zefal-swancroozer-road-mudguard-set/.
Or just buy a bike with mudguards (n+1 and all that).
I have a hope light , expensive but rechargeable and British made, very bright and lasts ages between charges.

[Chris Tasker]

SKS Race blades are very good mudguards, lights are a personal thing, depends on your budget and whether its for commuting all winter or just Sunday club runs.

[Shawn]

Would 2nd the recommendation for SKS race blades. Very easy to get on an off and adjust. I got some of those Crud things and think the name was very apt

[Will J]

I see the hope lights vary from £90-250.
I'm thinking of investing for the winter chain gang and am hoping that the cheaper end would be good enough.
Any thoughts?

[xrayspecs]

I think I went middle of the range (two bulbs), I don't think you will be dissappointed with the quality. Very good for seeing and also being seen, from the comments of other riders in the dark chaingangs.

[Jason T]

I've just fitted the SKS Race Blade Clip On to the rear of the one bike, not had chance to fit the front but it looks like it may have to be trimmed to fit with the front fork.

That being said, these appear much better than the Crud Roadracer Mk2 Set that I've previously used.

I generally use the Exposure Flash & Flare as be seen lights, however, this week I've dug out the Hope Vision 2 as it's so dark on the whole of my commute I need a light which will allow me to see the road (and pot holes mostly).

The Hope Vision does take up a fair amount of room on the handle bars so considering a helmet mounted light.

[Rob Jones]

I have the hope vision light too. Its bulky but well made and works well. Its about to start its 4th winter which id good going for a light. Eats batteries on highest setting but you only need this when pitch black. Lasts well only lower settings.

[christie]

I've had a set of Hope 2 Enduro for 4 years.Last week they stopped working and I suspected the battery leads. Contacted Hope asking for a price on repair and then sent my complete light set back for them to service.
Lights were returned this week with 2 new batteries fitted with a modified cable under warranty!

Mudguards depend a lot on the bike frame they are to. I've tried the SKS and have cracked 2 sets. I think they may have been secured too rigid on my frame? I now have a set of Cycraguard from Ribble cycles.They seem to be made of a more flexible plastic and have more clearance around the tyre. Disadvantage of them is that they come in more pieces to put together which can result in them becoming loose after a bumpy ride. Solved this problem with a bit of super glue and. Small self tap screw.

[RichardB]

Advice needed on fitting the SKS Race Blades please. Rear mudguard on fine and good clearance from the tyre. Having difficulty with the front one as I can't seem to keep the lower part of the mudguard away from the tyre. Do I need to straighten the lower metal arm to effectively lengthen it and give me greater distance away from the fork?

[Jeff hocking]

SKS race blade are very good.

[RichardB]

On Shawns's advice have now got the Aero adapter for aero/carbon forks. This appears to be keeping the mudguards in place whereas because of the taper of the carbon fork the mudguard fitting was slipping down the fork.

[Chris Tasker]

Glad you got it fixed, I tend to use tie wraps and adjust the metal arms for best fit.

[xrayspecs]

Re Hope lights. Sent back my four year old hope vision as it wouldn't charge. So 2 years out of warranty.
It arrived back 2 days later with new leads on each battery and a repaired charger.
Cost; £0.

[Rob Jones]

A pattern is emerging here re Keith's experience and then Chris's with Hope.

My Hope front light is 4 years old...its still brilliant except that every now and then it takes about half an hour to switch it off (it just goes through the various light settings). Think I'll wait until the summer and then send it back.

Makes you think Hope wheels would be a good thing to go for....would be nice to think you could send them backl after 4 years and get them repaired for free!