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review
Mudguards
Syncros Coast FenderSyncros Coast Fender

Syncros Coast Fender

7
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Sun, Jan 20, 2019 00:03

First Published Jan 18, 2019

2
£8.99

VERDICT:

7
10
You'll need a Syncros saddle but the Fender does a good job of keeping your vitals dry
Weight: 
25g
Contact: 
www.scott-sports.com
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The Syncros Coast Fender direct saddle mount is designed to work with its latest version of saddles. It offers decent coverage for its design, although obviously if you haven't got the specific saddle, it won't fit.

  • Pros: Decent shape and length for coverage, firmly fits in position
  • Cons: Limited to Syncros saddles

We've seen many mudguards that fit under the saddle for race bikes, and the new Coast Fender is an evolution of those like the Ass Saver or Mucky Nutz Road Butt Fender, for instance.

> Find your nearest dealer here

What makes the Coast different is that it doesn't just clip over the saddle rails, it comes ready drilled and with a couple of bolts that screw straight into the threaded holes in the bottom of saddles such as the Syncros Tofino 1.0, which is also in for testing.

This obviously limits its appeal, but for those with the right saddle it does a pretty good job if you want a bit of protection on a bike that doesn't allow full guards.

The usable part of the guard that pokes out from the saddle is 160mm in length and 80mm in width and it stops a surprising amount of water and mud.

> Survival tips for cycling in the rain

I've been using it on a cyclo-cross bike and it is ideal for those situations like when racing but you don't want to end up with a soggy chamois. I found that it kept the spray off the saddle and the back of my bibs and some of my jacket. It's never going to stop you needing to wash your kit but it does stop some of the discomfort.

It's made from high impact resistant composite according to Syncros, which in real life means it's firm enough not to flex and bounce around but if you hit it with your leg when jumping on or off the bike it's flexible enough that it won't break.

At £8.99 it's not exactly going to break the bank but it is a little bit pricier than the aforementioned Ass Saver, which you can get for about six quid. The Mucky Nutz is also £6.49, but saying that the design and shape of the Coast Fender seems to work, plus there is no chance of it falling off.

Verdict

You'll need a Syncros saddle but the Fender does a good job of keeping your vitals dry

road.cc test report

Make and model: Syncros Coast Fender

Size tested: Designed for Syncros 2019 saddles

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Syncros says, "Our Coast Fender integrates perfectly with our NEW Syncros 2019 saddles equipped with two threaded inserts. Simply attach, adjust with the two included screws and ride."

It works well and if I was to buy a Syncros saddle for my race bike I'd buy one for those rainy days.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Syncros lists:

Designed for Syncros 2019 saddles equipped with threaded inserts

Delivered with mounting screws, 2 screws supplied

Flexible material enabling to jump out of the bike easily

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

For its size it stopped a surprising amount of road spray.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It has a shape that works.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It's limited to one brand of saddle.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's a little bit pricier than some of the opposition that fit to the saddle rails but not so much that it would put me off.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, if I had a Syncros saddle.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

A neat solution for Syncros saddle users that works well to keep the worst of the rain off your rear.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

Syncros Coast Fender 2019
Syncros Coast Fender
Syncros 2019
Syncros
Stu Kerton

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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2 comments

Avatar
broomie | 5 years ago
0 likes

Its a mudguard not a fender!

Avatar
Griff500 | 5 years ago
0 likes

The need to have a Syncros saddle is the deal breaker for me! The first part of my Addict to get upgraded - after the first ride. Seriously, I am a fan off all things Syncros - except their saddles. And I think I have this in common with many Scott riders! 

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