Just when you think you’ve seen everything in the big wide world of bicycle accessories, along come the folding mudguards.
Full Windsor QuickFix Folding Mudguard review
This British Made Full Windsor Folding Mudguard is a lazy (wo)mans mudguard. As there’s not actually that many days of the year that we are caught cycling in the rain it can be a useful accessory to have to hand. Especially as installation takes seconds as shown in the dodgy home made movie below:
My awful pre-conception of the mudguard would be that it would be flimsy and a pain to install. I was very much proven wrong.
The Full Windsor QuickFix comes in two editions. You can have the zip tie edition or the clip edition. I much preferred the clip edition which makes things quicker and easier to install and remove, and doesn’t waste precious zip ties.
You also have a choice of colours. For testing I was sent the white and yellow edition but I’d probably prefer the slightly less conspicuous black edition. Although, whichever edition you choose, you are going to stand out a little. If that’s in a good way or a bad way I leave to your own sense of reality to decide.
On my test ride in yesterdays petrol soaked London roads I was impressed. The folding mudguard kept my back dry and free of horrible road spray.
When we arrived at the destination (Lock Tavern!) I was a little confused as to whether I should be taking the mudguards off or leaving them on. I chose to leave them on and they were there when we returned after 5 pints a quick non-alcoholic beverage. However, priced at £14.99 on Wiggle I probably wouldn’t leave them on the bike for an extended period. This creates the problem of folding them up and putting them in your bag. Something that isn’t too desirable when they are covered in road muck.
I really like these origami style mudguards. I think they are a clever idea that has been well designed and manufactured. If you always ride your bike with mudguards then you really don’t have any use for them. However, if you want a mudguard that can be installed and removed in seconds for rain related emergencies then these get the big thumbs up from me!
[button link=”https://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/go/full-windsor-folding-mudguard/” color=”green”]Buy the Full Windsor Folding Mudguard[/button]
[twocol_one]The good:
- Easy to install and remove
- Keeps your back dry
The bad:
- Easy to steal
- You don’t particularly want to put them in your bag when covered in muck (bring carrier bag!)
[/twocol_one] [twocol_one_last]
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Whatever next I wonder … fold up bike helmets seem to be making an appearance in the UK too. These folding creations will bring a new meaning to the term “origami rides” http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/origami/
I have absolutely no idea why you would want to carry a mudguard around in order to clip it to your bike when it rains. None whatsoever.
Looks a bit wobbly in the video after having been fitted.
They look ridiculous!
What’s wrong with just having mudguards on your bike in the first place? It rains fairly regularly, after all.
Mudguards are a bike part that serve a function, and I have absolutely no idea why they disappeared, just to be replaced (due to need for that very function) with horrible, cheap looking bits of plastic. Personally, I am very much put-off by this dodgy non-invention.
Please can someone help me understand what was wrong with proper mudguards?
So we would go through this ritual on a regular basis, then try to work out what to do with the fouled hardware afterwords… because permanent mudguards are……?
I’m one of those many (older) riders who sucked up the idea that all those things we take for granted in any other mode of transport (save walking): mudguards, chainguards, things to carry things on, the wind in our hair, and comfort on a bike… were’t cool.
I finally came to my senses a few years back and my riding experience has improved many times over. Uncool is the new black. And there ain’t no going back.
Ass savers mudguards have a much more elegant design than these http://ass-savers.com/
It’s a pity that no one mentions this great product (also folding mudguard) by WIT Industries that I’ve been joyfully using for a while now: