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Help clean up the ocean and stay spotless with RideGuard’s new gravel guardsRideGuard Vision

Help clean up the ocean and stay spotless with RideGuard’s new gravel guards

RideGuard launch eco-friendly low-profile gravel mudguards with a universal fitting to keep you clean while supporting the company’s mission for cleaner oceans
by Anna Marie Hughes
Tue, Oct 27, 2020 10:27
6

Handmade in Bristol from 100% Recycled Plastic Post Industrial Waste, RideGuard’s new clip-on guards are 100% recyclable and promise to give “instant protection from wheel spray and dirt”.

RideGuard say they have been “utilising one of the most damaging waste streams—discarded fishing gear” in their products. Their manufacturing process is designed to be as low-impact as possible too, with all waste trimmed during production being recycled back into more products.

As part of their ongoing OceanX project, the eco-conscious company has already removed three tonnes of discarded fishing nets and hope to remove a further two (or more!) tonnes with the profits made from the Vision and Gaiter sales.

The mini guards are specifically designed for gravel and cyclocross bikes. The Vision is for the front end and fits bikes with 23mm-60mm tyres, while the Gaiter covers the rear wheel and is effective for tyres between 23mm-40mm.

RideGuard Gaiter

If your rubber is wider than that there are other options in their MTB range, with the PF1 (front) and PF2 (rear) that also boast eco-friendly qualities.

RideGuard claim the guards are “quick and easy to install”, and attach themselves to the saddle rails/fork legs with reusable zip ties. Transparent Heli-Tap is also provided to protect the paintwork of the bike.

> Our guide to the best mudguards

The company has said they are on the look-out for a more environmentally friendly method of attachment than zip ties, but for the time being, reusable ones are at least better than disposable.

The guards come in a wide variety of designs, from plain black and subtle camo print right up to full on sea-monster-of-the-deep Kraken motifs—the exact level of your desire to be noticed can be accommodated.

> Our top survival tips for cycling in the rain

Tipping the scales at 20g for the Vision and 15g for the Gaiter, they weigh less than the water weight of soaked clothes from unprotected wet weather riding.

By working with Surfers Against Sewage and Trash Free Trails, the company’s green initiatives also extend to direct action.

2020 RideGuard Vision
2020 RideGuard Gaiter
Gravel mudguards
Anna Marie Hughes

Anna has been hooked on bikes ever since her youthful beginnings at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. As an avid road and track racer, she reached the heady heights of a ProCyclingStats profile before leaving for university. Having now completed an MA in Multimedia Journalism, she’s hoping to add some (more successful) results. Although her greatest wish is for the broader acceptance of wearing funky cycling socks over the top of leg warmers.

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6 comments

Avatar
PedalVelo | 4 years ago
0 likes

I have used the vision for a couple of weeks now and it doesn't claim to be a full mudguard but it does a great job as advertised for keeping mud and spray out of my face. 

Avatar
the little onion | 4 years ago
5 likes

These tiny things look as useful as a chocolate tea pot. How much mud will they actually guard against?

 

We need a side by side comparison - two bikes, one with these guards and one without, should be ridden on the same muddy route. Then road.cc should use their splatometer to calculate the amount of mud on each rider and bike, and the difference these guards have made. I suspect that there will be no discernable difference in the splatometer readings.

Avatar
Sredlums replied to the little onion | 4 years ago
1 like

Spot on. (yeah, I know)

Though I do support the eco part (and at the same time look at it sceptically) these front splash 'guards' are about as useful as those ridiculously short things on many enduro bikes. Way too short.

Avatar
Ben Gaby replied to Sredlums | 4 years ago
3 likes

As one of the owners of RideGuard, I couldn't ignore your comment on being sceptical of our environmental purpose. Quite simply the RideGuard business exists to put time and money into positive environmental work. As a full time volunteer for marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage, and having spent the previous two years establishing Trash Free Trails, (both of which are unpaid), neither would be possible without revenue from RideGuard. 

Avatar
Zermattjohn replied to the little onion | 4 years ago
1 like

A chocolate teapot is more useful - you can eat it. 

The rear is ok, a little like the old ass savers - I have one to keep the bum clean of mud/spray when it's a bit damp - the phrase 'bit damp' is key here. But really, what is the point of that front 'guard'?

Avatar
Ben Gaby replied to the little onion | 4 years ago
6 likes

Hello little onion. Sadly we didn't test a chocolate tea pot as part of our design process, as you say it probably wouldn't be that effective as a mudguard. We have spent several months testing the Vision guard on multiple gravel bikes and they do stop spray from reaching your eyes and face, keep your lower bearings dry, along with handlebar mounted bags. If you want dry legs and feet, stick to full mudguards!

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