Topeak Defender iGlow X

Topeak's Defender iGlow X clip-on mudguards combine decent protection with useful two-mode 0.5-watt LED centre strips for extra visibility after dark and in poor light. They're an expensive option, though.

The guards themselves are made from high-quality extruded polycarbonate and, generally speaking, accommodate 25mm tyres with breathing space. That said, some 25s came breathtakingly close to tickling the sides, so whether you can fit anything wider than 23mm will depend on the brand.

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Elsewhere, they follow the classic 'race blade' narrative – stainless steel stays, paint-friendly rubberised feet, straps and connector system. The rear attaches behind the brake calliper by a horseshoe-shaped bracket, whereas the front employs an expanding wedge plug.

In practice, these essential components hold everything in alignment, but fitting is a bit of a faff because of the tiny screws used – the sort you struggle to hold, which require tiny 'jewellers' screwdrivers (especially the stay-to-guard ones). Resist the urge to rip open the packet and get cracking – pop them into an old ice cream tub for safekeeping first, because they're easily lost under fridges and the like (replacement kits are available).

I also found they could pop out mid-ride. With two departing during my first ride, the guard section moved and rubbed annoyingly against the tyre, especially over low-level-vibration washboard tarmac. I resorted to a lick of superglue, which solved the problem but isn't something I'd expect to do on a set of £65 guards. Otherwise, components seem pretty rugged.

Both front and rear offer decent protection by clip-on standards, with the rear's length keeping my derrière surprisingly dry along some very wet sections. Just take care when wheeling bikes upright through tight spaces around the house/garage, as it has a tendency to scrape floors and set teeth on edge...

They keep spray down too, which is good news for group rides, although overshoes are a must if cold, wet feet and sullied shoes are to be avoided. Protection to the bike is secondary – gritty, silty stuff still gets blasted along the bottom bracket, front mech, rear triangle and brake callipers, but there's much less of it.

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And so to the lighting. It's a simple two-mode, 0.5-watt setup, with switchgear and four CR2032 batteries nestling within a waterproof, rubberised housing. A quick lick of silicone grease on the contacts at the same time as a battery change is good insurance, but hardly essential: these have been subjected to torrential rain and spray without missing a beat.

Powering up/off is intuitive, even in gloved hands.

Compared with rear blinkers boasting comparable numbers, in low light their presence is relatively modest, although pretty effective from dusk onwards. Other riders reckoned they could spot the rear at 150m in constant and 200m in flashing, dipping to around 100 and 150m respectively through town. Drivers also seemed to pick me out faster, although I can't help thinking this has more to do with their relatively novel location rather than power.

Topeak quotes optimal run times as 50/100hrs – I managed 43 using the stock batteries in constant mode, 87 in flashing with pound shop specials – not poor, but quite pricey in the longer term, especially for those of us racking up big nocturnal mileages.

Ultimately, I like the concept, but I wasn't impressed by the tiny screws, and while the lighting component is surprisingly useful, I'm not sure their overall performance justifies the additional cost over standard Defenders (£39.99) or comparable quality race blade types.

Verdict

Effective guards with useful integral lighting but this and so-so fittings don't justify the asking price