ass-saver guard on a road bike?

I used to have cruds, but they're crap. Now have some Zefal full-length ones which are much better. Club has a "full length mudguards during GMT" policy- rear must go below the rear axle, as any shorter gives the person behind you a face full of spray.

The ass-savers have made appearances in pro racing- MSR etc.

Just cut down a plastic bottle lengthways and stuff or wedge it under your saddle. Costs nowt !

tesco plastic bag doon the bahookie...that's the best 'ass saver' ever...only joking...
ass savers are OK in an emergency, out in dry weather and unexpected down pour...but I wouldn't purposely go out in my best bike in pissing rain...had crud's...took them off due to toe overlap at the front and constant rubbing at the rear...rather have wet ass than wet feet any day...not one for sloshing....

I must be in the minority here as i think they are great. Just last night the roads were soaked with standing water in quite a few places and i was bone dry. I averaged 16-18 mph, not flying by some standards but you still get a canny spray off the wheels and i was dry.

Best ever £3.99 on ebay i've ever spent.

best excuse for n+1

Crud roads do the job but they are a pain fitting and once you have stopped all rubbing and sound they are ok, well until its wet and they start squeaking again, oh or unless they snap as they usually do so you have to replace them every winter but they look good.

Ass savers are a temp measure if you get caught out in rain I thought.

Try Portland design works

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Portland-Design-Works-Full-Metal-Fenders-Set_607...

Expensive but do fit bikes without fittings and they get the best coverage of any guard

I generally think Road Racers are excellent and have had them on my Ultimate Al 2 winters in a row. I figure Ass savers are good for days when you go for a ride after a downpour, dont see the point in them in actual wet conditions myself. Road racers arent the most robust guards out there but they are very light. I have ended up buying a new set every year, but for 12 months worth of use for both protecting myself and my componenets from the worst of the road grime I would say 20 quid was worth it.

I use an ass saver on my bike if it's moist out... Keeps a reasonable amount of water off your lower back, but the rest still gets soaked! As much as I love it, I'd recommend getting some proper guards when the time comes...

Save a pound for every dry ride you go on throughout the summer... You'll have a huge kitty (hopefully) by the time you need 'guards!

Crud racers work OK for me. Initial fitting takes about an hour - but once they are setup, I can take them on or off in 5 minutes.
People with other 'gards seem to have more problems.

Crud Roadracers are a pain in the arse (excuse pun). I have a pair a lot of other people I know and everyone agrees they are a pain.

Pain to get on, pain to set up, pain to keep in position, annoying constant 'rub', flimsy, marked my seatstays..

Amazing on paper, lightest, racy'est guards, awful in practice on my TCR.

That tiny piece of plastic is a waste of time.

Crud Roadracers (money well spent IME) or Raceblade Long if you want to stay reasonably unsoaked in the wet. Their use will also be appreciated by anyone riding behind you.

I have one that I sometimes use on my cross bike. As the poster above says, it only keeps your arse dry. On the other hand, getting a wet base of your spine is the most uncomfortable bit about getting wet, especially if it is cold.

If I am riding in wet weather I ride my bike with full mudguards and flaps though. Nothing else comes close for keeping your clean and dry.

I used one on a long wet ride back in May. It did the job of keeping my bum dry, but that was about it. It's no good for anyone following and obviously it doesn't do any good for your own feet.

That being said, most full length guards that you fit without proper mount points are crap and will rattle and rub and generally be a pain in the arse.

Get a bike with proper mount points, get some proper guards and save your racy low clearance no mudguard frame for the nice days.

Do you ride in a group regularly? If so, the person following you will thank you for a full length mudguard, even if it's only something like the SKS Race Blades or the Crud RoadRacer. Plus, they are dramatically better at keeping road filth off your arse and back.

Not cheap but work well, go long length. They protect your coccyx and the underside of the saddle. Full mudguards on a road bike are fugly.

Spend the thirty quid mate. Your bike and kit will love you and serve you faithfully. Those bits of flimsy plastic are a waste.

Waste of time unless the road is slightly wet.