Mountain Bike Rider: Reader tip: Custom Built Mud flap for Free

Sick of replacing parts like front derailleur, bearings due to mud etc getting in there fear not you can make something to stop this, as they probably don’t make one for your bike.

All you need is, tape, electrical insulation seems best, two tie-wraps and a piece of plastic. Like the collection below.

As you can see there is a lot of stuff here to protect and it gets pretty plastered, in the winter the mud can also freeze the mech solid and spoil a good ride.

First thing to do is to protect the tube with some tape, also at the point of one (upper) of the tie-wraps create a small shelf by putting the tape round several times, then move it up and then once round, what this will do is protect the tubes paintwork from all that mud that is getting flung around and create a place to hang the mud flap from, this is most important on straight tubes. You can just see this below.

Next is what to make this mud flap from, this example may work for you and your bike, a 4 or 6L milk carton.

Or in my case a bit of plastic box that some bike bits came in, or some packaging for some other bits (it does say please recycle!), the prototype one worked well so it’s just a case of refining it slightly, your bike suspension/derailleur needs will be slightly different so cut large and refine the design.

Once refined it’s most important to make holes approximately half way around the tube, mark the vague centre line then stick to it, make 2 sets of holes as shown, by hand place the forming flap on the seat tube, then crease downward where you want the 90 degree or so bend, you can see the stress marks in the plastic where it has been bent on the below refined examples.

Now for the tie-wraps once you are happy with the size and shape, tighten the top one around the little shelf you created earlier, then slowly tighten the lower one until the desired angle of the flap is reached, releasable wraps may be of advantage here for obvious reasons. Don’t forget to make room for derailleur mech and chain if required.

Proto type in action, has worked well for months, hope you too can save your selves a lot of expensive maintenance and parts with this little tip.

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The path of least resistance is easier to follow............ When you can see it.... .............