{Caution: Visuals Not Appropriate For All Readers. Sitting down and scrolling slowly is highly recommended. Contains anti-theft devices. Parental guidance is advised.}
Everything is getting more expensive all the time, and my thoughtful friends at SKS USA* clearly were concerned that I haven’t been properly securing my Waltworks V2 whenever I stop in to see if the words “Americano Misto” still make Cup-O’-Joe cringe.
*{I’m being cheeky here, but they truly reign amongst the most friendly and thoughtful folks in the bike industry.}
And, I’ll admit, a fresh, fully-rigid, #jerrywillowshatesmybike, custom Funduro frame & fork isn’t really in the budget right now, never mind all my other bicycle bits I’m planning to have forever, so maybe they have a point? Plus, while SKS still hasn’t invented a fender cloaking device, even I have to admit their moto-esque mud-flap does have some nifty features.
{Do I, do I “have to,” really?}
And so, even though I’m expecting some healthy ribbing from fender-fond folks, like my friend Vik, who I have been poking for years about their aesthetically detrimental anti-theft devices, I figured I’d mount up the Mudrocker and put some miles into it.
“Fools in the rain, lame and insane
It’s a shame I gotta do this, but I remain the same (dry)
Unchanged, gettin’ better never known to get wetter
Kickin’ it to the top because I got myself a fender
So roll with a guy who’s physical and fit
Knows the time, and too like Vik to quit, sing” – NOT M.C. Hammer
This is not my first pedal around the monstrous rear fender mountain bike menagerie. I purchased one, years ago, from Rick Loader, one of the proprietors of Lynn Valley Bikes, after he chided me about my misplaced vanity. After all “You can’t see the fender when you’re riding your bike.”
He was wrong, so wrong. The trade-off for my dry ass was seeing my fendered choice in the horrified faces of every person I pedaled past! My fashionable friend Arthur actually became ill after just a few seconds of staring at my bicycle!
And this time around, with the SKS Mudrocker zip-zapped to my seat stays, has been no different. Why on my first ride alone I experienced the following. Merely coincidence? I think not (but maybe):
- A tiny child riding up in a Deuter backpack smiled at me and then started sobbing right after I pedaled past.
- Three dogs barked at me. Loudly. But only after I rode by and the Mudrocker was forced into their field of focus.
- An eeber silently glared at my fender for long enough to make it weird and then shot me a dirty look as she pedaled off. {Yes, I did say “Hi.”}
- Separately, two riders on sag wagons stared at my Mudrockered single-speed and then asked me if I knew where I was going or needed directions.
In the win column, I stopped off on my way home and my bicycle didn’t get stolen.
[Aside] I’ll note here that there have been no academic studies proving that a big plastic appendage protruding from the back of a bicycle makes it less desirable for thieves. So, you know, see through the attempt at humour {anti-theft device} and secure your bike appropriately for the given environment. You know what they say? There’s an ABUS lock (or two) for every situation. [/Aside]
“‘Cause fender don’t play that
You dry for a time, boy, you better ride back
Grees (Grees), ‘but it’s all for fun
I hustle for my muscle and you look wet, son (Real wet)
Yeah, I’m goin’ for all that {coverage} I can get
Ped’lin’ to the top ’cause I’m too like Vik to quit, sing” – Definitely NOT M.C. Hammer
But does it keep my butt dry? I assume so, but I can’t say because since I installed the Mudrocker it hasn’t rained. I don’t mean to be superstitious but if it stays sunny through this week’s forecast of rain & snow you can maybe thank/blame me {and SKS} for that. I’m fairly certain this isn’t what North Shore friends meant by ‘dry January’ here in the rainforest.
The fender mounted up easily, though I skipped SKS’ nice rubber-backed straps in favour of zip ties. Both mounting options are included. I like the straps for truly temporary setups, like the SKS fenders I have for Steve’s Talbot, but I’m going to ride the Mudrocker for a while and figured the more permanent mounting method visually demonstrated that commitment.
[Aside] SKS thoughtfully includes extra hardware with all their fender sets – I would know, I’ve bought quite a few – but one thing that is missing with all their products, whether they be pumps, tools, bags, or fenders, is a nice quality SKS sticker. I realized last week when I was taking a picture of my toolbox that there isn’t a single SKS sticker on it anywhere despite, again, purchasing a fair few of their products. [/Aside]
There are two SKS features in particular that I think are a neat improvement over similar products. And, they’re both combined into one pair of soft(er) rubber blocks. These blocks are what actually contact the bike frame and the material should be both gentler and grippier compared to direct-mounting the hard(er) plastic fender. Yes, even with clear protective tape.
Additionally, the blocks are reversible to change the angle of the fender relative to the chainstays. With the myriad of hardtail and full-suspension rigs out there I think this is awesome. Awesome, because the closer the fender follows the tire the better, or, at least, less offensive it looks.
“And sweat it (Sweat it), you’re not gonna regret it
The ride that you passed us, you’ll wish you weren’t a wet fuss
You remind me of a real short story
One-speed bike dork and you start to bore me (One-speed dork)
Get ready ’cause rain is it
Your crew soaked through, and we too like Vik to quit, sing” – NOT M.C. Hammer
It turns out this whole closer-is-better aesthetic influence does have its limits. One other feature of the relatively lightweight, Made-In-Germany, Mudrocker setup is that it includes a 4″ rear extender (there’s an included front extender as well).
More coverage, more better, so of course I went full-Vik and attached it. Again, I cannot yet comment on how this fender actually performs in the wet but in the dry, the extender ended up being a miss. No problems on the climb or on flowy trails but every time I chonked off a janky root or rock there was some contact with my tire.
This was very easily resolved on the trail by removing the rear extension and the fender has been sounds-like-silence since then. The front extension just adds a bit more seat tube coverage so I left it installed.
I’m not much of a weight-weenie, but the Mudrocker is surprisingly lithe for how much coverage it provides, even with my 3″ rear tire. SKS are materials wizards whether it’s making parts for their own products or BMW, but it’s still a question of a {stereotypical} German focus on weight savings has compromised durability for this application.
There’s only one way to say more on that subject, which is going to be riding with the thing on steep janky trails. But, at least now I don’t have to worry about my lilac rigid single-speed getting stolen? {HAHAHA}. Either way, I’ll come back at ya once I’ve hammered out some properly wet rhymes, I mean, rides.
The Mudrocker comes as a rear fender for US$56 or in a set with a front for US$100.
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