The Best Bike Fenders to Keep You (and Your Ride) Clean

Bike fenders—also known as mudguards—are handy accessories that keep mud and spray off of you, your riding partners, and important parts of your bike, like the chain and suspension. The terminology can be a bit confusing here, but mudguards and fenders are used interchangeably in the industry.

Bike fenders are great for rainy or muddy rides, and can be popped on and off depending on conditions. There are several varieties of fenders to choose from, with models intended for different attachment points, sizing, and varying styles of bike. There are smaller, lighter models as well as more full-coverage ones, depending on conditions and your preferred style of riding. Some bikes come with fenders, and others you’ll have to buy aftermarket and install yourself.

Many group rides encourage (or require) fenders for wet-weather riding, as they prevent spray from hitting other riders in the group. Even if you’re not in group rides, bike fenders are a good way to keep water and mud from spraying your riding partner. Expect to spend between $20-$160 for a bike fender, depending on materials and size.

The Best Bike Fenders

What to Consider

Style of Riding

Your mudguard choice depends on your style of bike, though the ones we've covered are primarily intended for road riding or touring. Traditional mudguards typically provide maximum wheel coverage—these are the models you want for touring bikes, commuter bikes, and road bikes. Whether or not you want a mudguard on your mountain bike comes down to personal preference. Mudguards for mountain bikes will be shorter and accommodate for suspension and more varied riding terrain than their counterparts intended for other types of bikes.

Material

Most mudguards are made from either plastic or metal, with some mudguards utilizing both. Most mudguards these days are made out of polycarbonate plastic, which is flexible, yet durable, and typically mounts more easily than metal versions. The struts aren’t as stiff as metal fenders, however, which means they can rub or jostle over bumpy terrain.

Metal fenders are stiffer than plastic and have less vibration. They tend to last longer, though they can be trickier to install and heavier than plastic.

Installation

There are a few ways to attach mudguards to your bike: clip-on or bolts. A bolt-on mudguard is the most durable and stable option, best for when you plan to leave the mudguard on for longer durations. Bolt-on mudguards are a bit trickier to install, and you need to have the correct setup with fender eyelets.

Clip-on mudguards are a good alternative if you foresee taking the mudguard on and off, or if you only plan to use them for group rides. These are often lighter than bolt-on mudguards. You can also look for strap-on fenders, which attach with a hook-and-loop or zip-tie style closure to your bike’s seat tube, fork, or seatpost.

How We Selected

Though they might not seem like the most thrilling accessory, mudguards/bike fenders come in a variety of styles and sizes, as well as having different installment methods and intended uses. We chose top performers for mountain bikers, road cyclists, and people who want traditional mounting styles versus clip-on ones. These mudguards come at range of price points, so there’s something for everyone, no matter what style of riding you’re doing throughout the rainy season.

For more great biking accessories, check out our picks for the best bike tubes, bike bells, and bike frame bags!