Mudguards or fenders tend to be standard equipment on cruiser bikes and "commuter" bikes, which are designed as transportation in all kinds of weather. Some racing bike riders add fenders if they live in a rainy area or expect to ride in foul weather often. Fenders add some weight to a bike and thus racers do not use them. But they are useful to recreational road bike riders because the fender on the front wheel protects the rider from the wheel splattering the rider's face and shirtfront when traveling on rain-soaked pavement or through puddles. The fender on the rear wheel stops the moving wheel from spraying a vertical line of dirt and dampness on the back of your bike shorts and shirt.
What to Look for
If you buy a bike not already equipped with mudguards, a bike shop will install a pair costing from $20 to $50. You can also buy an easily removable single rear fender that you can attach to your seat post when you expect bad weather. Similarly, you can buy a short lightweight front mudguard that attaches quickly to the diagonal down tube part of the frame and is easily removed in good weather. These single-blade fenders cost from $15 to $25 each.
Common Pitfalls
The newest lightweight fenders that go on and off the bike easily are also easily stolen. On a mountain bike, you need to make sure that there is enough space between the fender and the wheel itself so that the mud that builds up on the underside of the fender does not start to interfere with the movement of the wheel.
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