Mud flap on guards

[Garry Booth]

What's the best way of extending the protection from spray offered to riders behind? I mean, can you buy a narrow flap to add to the existing guard? What's a good DIY solution? What fixing to use that doesn't crack the guard? I want something reasonably streamlined to sit behind a 25mm tyre.

[Paul Smith SRCC]

What's the best way of extending the protection from spray offered to riders behind? I mean, can you buy a narrow flap to add to the existing guard? What's a good DIY solution? What fixing to use that doesn't crack the guard? I want something reasonably streamlined to sit behind a 25mm tyre.

Bleach bottles are a good source for Heath Robinson mudguard flap's

[cycleruk]

I make my own using "DPC" (damp proof course plastic) - any reasonable plastic will do such as a milk bottle etc.
I fit them using pop-rivets and large washers. Drill holes in the guards first then rivet the flap in place.
You can make them any shape or length you want.

[rjb]

Length of duct tape on the rear mudguard. I use this with a double length folded over and stuck inside and outside of the mudguard.

[NUKe]

I use screen wash five litre containers to cut mud flaps out of. The rear doesnt need to be wide it can be long and thin. To attach I find a hot glue gun the best. If you roughen the plastic of the guard with course sandpaper or a file you will find it gives better adhesion. Stick inside the tail of the guard. I also drill a couple of holes in the mudflap so the glue pushes through to give a plastic rivett you have to be careful though as the glue is hot.

[andrew_s]

For a rear flap to protect following riders, I've found it best to use a fairly narrow strip of something reasonably stiff. I use a strip about 5cm wide cut from a WHS ring binder. I've also seen a ~1" rigid uPVC cable trunking cover strip used, which worked well, though I wouldn't like to comment on strain on the actual mudguard.
Narrow is for aerodynamics, and stiff to to ensure it doesn't blow sideways too easily (a crosswind isn't required - the left/right drag difference from a less than absolutely perfectly lined up flap will swing it to one side). It should be long enough to reach to within 4 or 5 inches of the ground. Shorter and your companions will still get sprayed.

Front flaps to keep your own feet and drivetrain clean should be wider (8-10 cm), heavier and more flexible, and reach closer to the ground (3 or 4 cm). Something like 1.5 or 2 mm butyl sheet. I'm using a stick-on sole for a shoe. Weight and flexiblity is desired so that water spray doesn't move it aside, but riding over or past something solid does.

I attach with either pop-rivets or a small nut & bolt, nut outside.

It could also be worth sticking reflective tape to the rear flap when it's new & clean. Something like this, though you would want to find somewhere selling it by the metre

[Steve]

To attach the flap I prefer to drill 2 holes and thread a cable tie through - it won't rust and is easy to remove or replace. The holes about an inch apart, on the centre line of the mudguard

[julk]

I use some from here.
http://www.buddyflaps.com/

[thirdcrank]

Forum member yorkshireman - we don't seem to have heard from him recently - is a mudflap guru. You could try searching his posts.

[reohn2]

Fixed with a single bolt.I use a section cut from an old black bucket or plant pot.

[colin54]

I use a bleach bottle as some of those above, the domestos one has a handy ridge to locate the flap vertically, I fix it with a couple of cable ties ,again as above, but I heat up a screwdriver or something similar on the stove to form the holes, this seals the edges of the holes ,thus avoiding cracks hopefully. I tried using water bottles ,nice and light but too brittle and failed after a couple of months and got blown onto the tyre by crosswinds.You can make two from one bottle, other makes are available etc.Bleach bottle seems a good consistency to me.

[colin54]

Feel free to criticise I can always learn, I should have blended it in a bit better at the top I know

I might use it as a tie if it doesn't work out.

[mjr]

I use some from here.
http://www.buddyflaps.com/

Where did you buy them?

[julk]

I use some from here.
http://www.buddyflaps.com/

Where did you buy them?

I bought them from the website, price in dollars.
They were posted to the UK for no extra cost, just the usual credit card charge for currency conversion from $s to £s.
They made a nice Christmas present.