HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR MTB MUDGUARD?

Winter is here and you don't want to find yourself covered in mud and water after only a few kilometers? It's time to get a mudguard! However, it is not easy to understand all the different types of mudguards, sizes, practice etc.. Our mudguards are divided into 3 distinct protection families: Minimal, High and Maximum. Zéfal helps you to find the right mudguard with this guide on how to choose your MTB mudguard!

First of all, you need to know what characteristics to take into account when choosing your mudguard. In order to have a perfect protection and not to dirty your nice outfit, you will have to know the diameter of your wheels and the width of your tires because some mudguards only cover up to a certain size. Also, you will need to know what type of protection you need: front mudguard? Rear? Both? A minimum and discreet or maximum and visible protection? These are the criteria that will help you choose the right mudguard for you!

Here is an explanation of each level of protection:

Minimal: Often small, light and discreet they are perfect for the aesthetically minded cyclist. Mounted at the front, they protect the face and upper body of the rider, and allow riding without glasses in the least extreme conditions. Mounted at the rear, they protect the lower back. They are also a precious ally in the preservation of the mechanical parts of your bike (fork joints, headset or shock absorber and suspension mechanism).

High: Longer and wider, the protections are also more imposing, but correctly oriented, they allow to break more effectively the jet generated by the movement of the wheels. They protect the rider from the rising ground. Allowing a good clearance with the tires, they avoid accumulation and are particularly adapted to difficult terrain in conditions where the mud is thick and sticky.

Maximal : Mounted as close as possible to the wheel, these protections are very covering and encompassing, allowing a perfect protection of the rider and the bike. They are particularly suitable for very wet conditions. Mounted close to the wheel, they follow their curves and blend in with the tires, preserving the lines of your bike.

MTB front mudguards

Mountain biking, especially in winter, can be messy. Especially for your front wheel which opens the path and collects dirt and mud and water splashes. The front mudguards allow you to protect your torso and face against these splashes and to stay dry during your winter rides.

Deflector Lite Front

Deflector Lite Front

Wheel diameter: 26'', 27.5'' & 29''
Maximum tire width: 3.0''

The Minimal protections will protect you to a lesser extent but will be the most aesthetic on your bike. The Deflector Lite Front has the advantage of being mounted on all types of forks and is fixed with zip-ties. Its design prevents splashes on the face and rising mud on the sheaths.

Deflector FM20

Wheel diameter: 26'', 27.5'' & 29''
Maximum tire width: 2.6''

Mounted directly on the front fork, the Deflector FM20 is a front mudguard with Minimal protection developed for DH, Enduro or XC. Effective even in extreme conditions, it remains discreet on the bike and effective thanks to its technopolymer resin. It is compatible with most of the forks (standard and boost wheel hub) which makes it a product accessible to many MTB.

Deflector FM30

Wheel diameter: 27.5'' & 29''
Maximum tire width: 3.0''

Let's move on to the so-called High protections with the Deflector FM30 front mudguard. It is the superior version of the FM20 presented previously. It works for DH, Enduro or XC practices, fits most of the forks (standard and boost hubs) and covers big tires (3.0"). It remains very easy to install thanks to its zip-ties and their soft protection to protect the paint of the fork and ensure the good maintenance of the mudguard!

Deflector FM60

Wheel diameter: 26'', 27.5'' & 29''
Maximum tire width: 2.6''

To conclude with the front mudguards, here is the so-called Maximum protection: the Deflector FM60 front mudguard. The difference with the other products of the Deflector FM range is that this one is fixed directly on the fork steerer tube (from 20 to 33,7 mm) and will keep you as clean as possible in every conditions, even the most difficult. Thanks to its dual material spoiler, it guarantees excellent protection in the most extreme conditions.

MTB rear mudguards

Like front mudguards, MTB rear mudguards are classified in 3 categories of protection: Minimum, High and Maximum. The primary purpose of a rear mudguard is to protect your back from splashes and mud build-up from the rear wheel. The longer and wider the mudguard blade is, the better you will be protected.

Deflector Lite Rear

Wheel diameter: 26'', 27.5'' & 29''
Maximum tire width: 3.0''

The rear MTB mudguard known as the Minimal protection is the Deflector Lite Rear! Just like its front version, it will protect your back as well as your frame, seat clamp and shock absorber against mud. It is also fixed with zip-ties and comes with Skin Armor to avoid damaging the bike's paint.

Deflector RM60

Wheel diameter : 26'' & 27.5'' (29'' for the RM60+ version)
Maximum tire width: 2.4''

For High protection, the Deflector RM60 is the rear mudguard for mountain biking. It is fixed on the seatpost (25 to 32 mm) with a screwable attachment. Its dual material spoiler perfectly follows the rear wheel and will protect your back on rough roads. The Deflector RM60+ is a version that offers even more protection thanks to its double orientability providing a longer and closer protection to the rear wheel. It is considered as a Maximal protection.

Deflector RS75

Wheel diameter: 27.5'' & 29''
Maximum tire width: 2.8''

As a Maximal protection, the Deflector RS75 is the right protection for all mountain bikes. It is designed to be both discreet and highly effective thanks to its design close to the wheel. It will protect you from splashes in any conditions, even the most extreme. With its MD-Strap fixing system, it allows you to position it the way you want! It is particularly suitable for full-suspension mountain bikes.

Deflector RM60

Deflector RS75

MTB mudguards sets

If you want to protect both the front and the back of your bike, then a mudguard set is the best option for you! All our MTB mudguards sets are strong protections that will meet all demands.

Deflector M60

Wheel diameter: 26'' & 27.5''
Maximum tire width: 2.4''

The Deflector M60 High protection mudguard set is a combination of the FM60 front mudguard and the RM60 rear mudguard presented above. It is a set that can be easily installed on your mountain bike, since it is installed in the front fork tube and on the rear seat post. Ideal if you are not used to install mudguards!

Deflector RS75-FM60 Set

Wheel diameter: 27.5'' & 29''
Maximum tire width: 2.8''

As its name suggests, this set includes the Deflector FM60 front mudguard and the Deflector RS75 rear mudguard. Two Maximum protections that will allow your MTB to be well protected during long rides, whatever the weather conditions. This set is suitable for both semi-rigid and full-suspension mountain bikes.

As you can see, finding the perfect mudguard is not easy. You have to take into account your equipment at first (wheels diameter and tires width, bike dimensions) but also your practice (Trekking, Enduro, XC, DH...). After having done that, you have to find the mudguard that best fits all these criteria: front mudguard, rear mudguard or a mudguard set. But also the desired protection: Minimal, High or Maximum, rather visible or discreet. No more excuses, you can now ride under any weather conditions. You have no excuse to go out and ride in all conditions now!