Innovative 3D-printed solutions enable the fitting of mudguards to suspension forks
22nd of December 2022
If you ride your bike through the city every day, it is advisable to mount a mudguard, because it protects the rider when riding in the rain or on muddy paths. However, mudguards are often omitted on sporty, trekking and mountain bikes. If you ride a trekking or mountain bike in a sporty manner, you normally do not need mudguards and other accessories that only increase the weight. On real mountain trails, mudguards offer no advantages and the cyclist arrives at the destination filthy anyway. But there are still users, who want to mount a mudguard on a mountain bike suspension fork. A mountain bike is also a good way to get to work, and gravel roads often offer the fastest way home. Mudguard manufacturers offer few sensible solutions in this regard. Many suspension forks do not have designated mounting options such as threaded holes or welded-in nuts for attaching struts. This makes attaching the classic mudguard with struts no easy matter.
This is exactly the gap we want to fill with our offer. We have designed various fastening clamps and thus offer intelligent solutions from 3D printing for fastening mudguards to suspension forks. Especially for the manufacturer Fox, we also offer two solutions for mounting the mudguards on the suspension fork brace.
Fig. Our strut mounting clips, suitable for SKS mudguards for a maximum outer fork diameter of 44 mm (e.g. Fox 34).
What solutions are currently available for attaching mudguards to suspension forks?
In search of a solution for attaching mudguards, we spent a long time researching on internet as well as in various forums how other users solve the problem. We’ve summarized all the found self-made solutions here:
- One can drill the mudguard to attach it to the brace that connects the fork arms. This solution requires technical skill on the one hand and a lot of effort on the other. Furthermore, there is still the problem, that the fender is not firmly attached to the suspension fork.
- One could make his own aluminium strip to serve as a mounting clip, drill it and fit a rubber strip to protect the space between the aluminium strip and the suspension fork. It is, of course, a possible decision, however if you don’t have the special tools at home, this could be a very expensive option.
- There is a ready-made solution for mounting SKS mudguards. However, this is too small for larger diameters such as 44 mm suspension forks. Some users use the Cat Eye lamp mount for this purpose. However, the maximum size only fits up to 37.5 mm bicycle form standpipe. Especially for large fork diameters, there is no suitable solution.
Fig. Our mounting clips for SKS mudguards suitable for a maximum outer fork diameter of 48 mm (e.g. Fox 36)
Our 3D-solutions for attaching conventional mudguard on suspension forks
Our mounting clips are 3D-printed. We have chosen ASA filament as the material. The 3D components printed from ASA are characterised by a high resistance to heat, UV radiation, moisture and many chemicals. Thus, the parts printed from ASA are perfect for “outdoor” activities.
We have developed our 3D mounting clips for a maximum suspension fork diameter of 44 mm. If required, we can easily design and print mounting clips for a suspension fork with a different diameter. The two mounting clips of our mudguard holder set are attached to the fork on the left and right and are intended for mudguards with struts.
As enthusiastic cyclists, we think it is important that the suspension fork accessories look as good as our bikes. That is why we always find motivation to create further solutions with our 3D printers.
Furthermore, we offer two special solutions especially designed for SKS mudguards – up to a maximum of 44 mm and up to a maximum of 48 mm. Our mounting clamps do not change the SKS release mechanism if a branch gets caught in the wheel. With our solution, the complete SKS interface is used.
We are also the only company to offer a solution for mounting fixed mudguards on the Fox 34 and Fox 36 Factory. The first fork brace holder is suitable for Fox 34 suspension forks and 29″ tyre diameters. We have designed the second solution explicitly for Fox 36 suspension forks, and it is compatible with both 27.5″ and 29″ tyre diameters. Our fork brace holder can be combined with the mounting clamps from our shop.
Fig. Fork brace holder for mudguard, suitable for Fox 34 suspension fork
Fig. Fork brace holder for mudguard, suitable for Fox 36 suspension fork
All our solutions to fit conventional mudguards to a suspension fork come from 3D printing and can therefore be quickly adapted to your individual needs.
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Fig. Strut mounting clamps for suspension fork
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