Blackburn Cloudburst mudguards

Blackburn Cloudburst fenders are probably the first of the clip-on type that I've truly warmed too, primarily as they're full length, thus keeping the infamous salty spatter from engulfing the front mech and seat tube. Nonetheless, they are on the skinny side and while the materials are every bit as good as we've come to expect from Blackburn, fitting them still takes an hour or so and a drop of threadlock comes in handy.

The guards themselves are made from the sturdy, flexible PET-laminated aluminium that resists the elements unbowed for many years. Ours were 35mm wide, which seems ideal for cross, hybrids and Audax bikes with more touring-style frame clearances. They work best with 28-32mm rubber. You can squeeze them round 35-38mm tyres but you get fag paper clearances and plenty of overspray on your fork blades and chain/seat stays.

The replaceable rubberised mud flaps could do with being a wee bit wider too but are similarly stout and won't catch on the floor when you pop a bike up on its rear wheel to manoeuvre through a tight space. Completing the kit are horseshoe shaped nylon bridges-cum-guides for the single, stainless steel stays. There are three different widths, theoretically allowing the most tailored aesthetic. These slide aboard the guard courtesy of two lips, held tight by a 3mm Allen bolt.

Go steady mind since the internal brackets like nothing better than making bids for freedom beneath fridges and similarly inaccessible regions. I found this stage best performed on a work stand, wheels removed and with guards loosely bolted to fork and seatstay drillings. Frames such as my cross inspired fixer with mono stays will necessitate drilling of the mudguard, since the resin bridge won't yield to suit.

Stays slot with interference fit into their guides, though benefit from a drop of thread lock to prevent them springing loose over rougher roads. Overall effect is extremely tidy, light years away from Heath Robinson shorty types, though retro reflective stickers would improve nocturnal presence. Silence has been the order of things, although particularly choppy surfaces induced the odd rattle and occasionally provoked the guard to momentarily bind against tyre sidewalls, something I attribute to single stay design and needing revision.

Verdict

Among the more convincing of "clip ons" but mono stay concept could be improved.