Wit Industries Fendor-Bendor 3 mudguard

The Wit Industries Fendor Bendor 3 is a simple, light solution to the winter wet bum blues.

Unless you like a really mucky bottom, you just can't ride in the winter without a mudguard, regardless of how ugly and out of place they look on a road bike. Most road bikes haven't the clearance to fit a full fender so a clip-on will have to be the compromise.

This super lightweight (64g) folding mud guard does its best not to be seen seen when not needed as it easily removed and can be folded flat in seconds making it small enough to be stashed in the back pocket of your cycling jersey. Unfortunately when it is fitted it does look like your bike has been harpooned with a plastic flap.

Fixing the Fendor Bendor couldn't be easier; fold the plastic sheet along the pre-scored lines to give the mud guard some shape and integrity and then squeeze it through the rear stays above the rear brake and attach it to the seat tube with a strap of velco. Et voila. Once in place it is remarkably rigid and doesn't seem to budge at all, though of course it doesn't work if you have a wishbone design rear seat stay.

There are some pre cut arcs that you can follow to cut the side of the fender to make more room for your brake calipers and which will prevent the cut from propagating any further and turning the fender into a stump.

The mudguard sits a few inches above the rear wheel and out far enough to stop your back wheel turning into a water feature in the rain. It is remarkably effective at preventing that brown streak up your back or those gritty bits that make it to the back of your head.

Considering how simple this mudguard is in design and easy and quick it is to install and fold away, for £12.20 it is a great accessory to hide in your bag ready and waiting. I would like it to come with a little pouch so you could take it off when it is wet and dirty and stuff it in a bag keeping it flat but a freezer bag can do this at very little cost. Our test product came with a Santa design by an artist called Baschz which wouldn't be my choice but you can get them in plain black.

Verdict

Light, simple, effective, foldable rear mudguard that can be easily stashed in a pocket or bag when not in use and to save sore eyes.