Opinion

Holy mudguard moly – or when your mudguard won’t fit your bike

26/2/2024

Translation: Eva Francis

I started this story off intending to write a review on mudguards for bikes. But it turned into an opinion piece on the pitfalls of online shopping. Why? Read on to find out.

Biking in spring can be tricky – you expect sunshine and get rain. And let me tell you, having a wet butt when you’re cycling is at least as unpleasant as having wet feet or clammy hands. That’s why I recently bought my first ever mudguard for my gravel bike. And I’m happy with it.

Product test
The Win Wing 2 mudguard by Ass Savers really did save my ass
by Patrick Bardelli

This small plastic bike accessory led to many reactions and comments from the Community. Most of them along the lines of «Why the Win Wing 2 from Ass Savers? Why not another one?» Here’s one of the comments as an example:

Community members mentioned the Fendor Bendor by Ass Savers as well as a colourful splash guard from Riesel Design and a guard for the front and rear from Zefal. Come to think of it, why not one of these? Well, the answer’s because I’m an impulsive person and buy products without doing much research. It’s quite possible that other mudguards are actually better, but this was the one I went for. And it didn’t cost a fortune.

Mudguards

Ass Savers Fendor Bendor

Rear mudguard

Mudguards

riesel design Rit:ze

Rear mudguard

Mudguards

Zefal Shield G50

Mudguard set

Mudguards

Ass Savers Fendor Bendor

Rear mudguard

Mudguards

riesel design Rit:ze

Rear mudguard

Mudguards

Zefal Shield G50

Mudguard set

From review to rant

Next thing I know, I’m in my garden with Fendor Bendors, Stickerbombs and Shields mudguards in my hand. I’ve decided to test the ones recommended by Community members and write about my experience. Well, at least that’s the theory. I’m afraid I don’t get far. Why? Well, either the mudguards don’t fit my frame or saddle, or I can’t be bothered to deal with countless individual parts. Holy moly mudguard, the pitfalls of online shopping!

Fendor Bendor by Ass Savers

This is the first mudguard I try out. In this case, the frame of my Giant Revolt 0 gravel bike’s the problem. Or more accurately, the positioning of the seat stays. The way they’re built, the Fendor Bendor mudguard can’t be attached – despite the product description reading «Attached to practically any bike in just a few seconds without requiring tools.» I guess the key word here is «practically». My first thought was I’m just not handy enough to make it fit. But Ass Savers’ customer service promptly replied to my inquiry and assured me it wasn’t my fault:

Hi Patrick! Well, it’s not you, it’s us. The geometry makes it unsuitable for the «Fendor Bendor». However the «happy customer guarantee» applies and you are eligible for a refund, would you like that? In that case, what is your order number? Btw, problems like that is one of the reasons we developed the «Win Wing».

Petter

So what’s my takeaway? First of all, the customer service at Ass Savers is friendly and quick to respond and secondly, choosing the Win Wing 2 was the right thing to do after all.

Splash guard by Riesel Design

In this case, the saddle turns out to be the problem. However, I only find this out after fiddling with it for over fifteen minutes and, once again, questioning my fine motor skills. Finally, I consult the manufacturer’s website and find this:

It says it works with all saddles, except for an SQlab with active technology.
Source: Riesel Design

And incidentally, that’s exactly the saddle I have on my bike. Too bad.

Shield G50 by Zefal

The last mudguard I try is Zefal’s Shield G50. The two mudguards for the front and rear wheel fit my frame and saddle, but they’re made up of so many individual parts that I get frustrated. I want to spend my time on the bike – not off it with a screwdriver in my hand. So I give up. And that’s how what was supposed to be a review on mudguards turns into an opinion piece on the pitfalls of online shopping – including overlooked product descriptions and information that can only be found on manufacturers’ websites. If at all.

At least the e-mail correspondence with Petter from Ass Savers’ customer service was a pleasant experience. Apart from that, nothing new. I’m still enjoying my Win Wing 2 mudguard, which keeps my backside dry and is super easy to attach.

I’m looking for a mudguard that’s quickly attached to my bike – not a DIY project.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

Header image: Patrick Bardelli

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.

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