SKS bluemels problems.

[onyerbike531]

Hi again

I bought some SKS mudguards for my Bob Jackson Audax Club and I'm having a bit of difficulty fitting them.

The clearances seem very tight especially when using the sliding bridge that attaches to the brake bolt for the rear one, also noticed it's a bit pinched between the chain and non drive side stays when trying to screw it into the bottom stays bridge... Would it be worth getting a longer bolt and a little spacer to take it away from the lower bridge a bit, bringing it a little closer to the tyre?

Would it be possible to do away with the attachment and screw it into the brake bridge? There appears to be a little hole in the underside of the bridge.

It all feels a bit beyond my scope

 

[d8mok]

Basically do anything that makes them fit. It’s certainly a awkward job and one that you will no doubt have to modify a few parts along with lots of trial and error.

It’s my most hated job on a bike.

What size guards and what size tyres?

 

[onyerbike531]

Basically do anything that makes them fit. It’s certainly a awkward job and one that you will no doubt have to modify a few parts along with lots of trial and error.

It’s my most hated job on a bike.

What size guards and what size tyres?

I got the 35mm ones as I run 25x700c tyres on my bike. They have that black plastic sliding bridge which seems a bit thick.
I once fitted a set to a Peugeot Camargue and I never had anywhere near this much trouble but that bike a much more generous clearances. I was contemplating using one of the optional black spacers they include for if fitting to a bike with disc brakes, I don't know?

 

[d8mok]

Size wise they are correct then.


Yes use any spacer and any method you can. They aren’t a simple bolt on item unfortunately. I ended up modifying that bracket on the last pair I did alongside lots of other bits to make them fit.

 

[onyerbike531]

I'll see what I can do, thanks for the advice.

 

[fiveSixteenths]

Yep, fitting guards is a right pain. Job best done when you’ve at least two hours to fart-arse around and fettle. And some beer.

 

[mattr]

I've got a bolt through/threaded bridge on mine, so have a nice stainless washer and short hex bolt, slathered in paint. Plus a small hole, neatly drilled through the guard where the bridge used to be.
Have used a spacer at the chainstay bridge before today. Not needed on the current frame though.

Wish the forks were threaded too.

 

[onyerbike531]

I've got a bolt through/threaded bridge on mine, so have a nice stainless washer and short hex bolt, slathered in paint. Plus a small hole, neatly drilled through the guard where the bridge used to be.
Have used a spacer at the chainstay bridge before today. Not needed on the current frame though.

Wish the forks were threaded too.

I'll double check that brake bridge, I can definitely see a hole in it, I assume it's threaded for that very purpose. I only want to fit the Bluemels over the winter season. I'll see what I can do.

 

[fiveSixteenths]

Have the threaded holes on both the fork and rear bridge on my ‘94 Dave Yates and… they’re a nightmare. Drilled the guards and the rear one split after a few weeks and the front one couldn’t get it ever to be aligned with the brake bridges / fork crown lol
Ended up using the Sheldon Brown fixings and the ignored the frame features.
I think there might be a ‘three cyclists talking about mudguards, six opinions’ rule of thumb!

 

[mattr]

Yeah, i was very careful with mine, drilled and filed out to make sure it was perfectly clean, the washer is curved to fit the mudguard as well.