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Quickguard replaces Quick Release nut for fenders that won’t touch the frame

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After 30 years of tinkering with his idea for a simple, effective fender, Chris Howard is finally bringing it to life. According to the inventor, his first crude prototype was made nearly 30 years ago, but the idea is the same – a fender that quickly attaches to your bike without having to touch your frame.

Quickguard fender replaces Quick Release nut for fenders that won't touch the frame

OK, technically it will touch your frame in one spot, but it appears to be no different than how your current quick release nut touches the dropout. That’s what makes the fender install and removal so simple – all it requires is removing the current QR nut, and then threading the QR skewer into the Quickguard nut which is attached to the mono-strut for the fender.

Quickguard fender replaces Quick Release nut for fenders that won't touch the frame Quickguard fender replaces Quick Release nut for fenders that won't touch the frame Quickguard fender replaces Quick Release nut for fenders that won't touch the frame

Quickguard fender replaces Quick Release nut for fenders that won't touch the frame

Compatible with both front and rear quick release axles, the fender can be adjusted once installed with micro adjusting screws at the top for side to side movement, and additional spacers to raise the fender for bigger tires. Meant to fit bikes with 700c wheels, and measures 43mm wide so it should be good for at least a 700c x 42mm tire.

Quickguard fender replaces Quick Release nut for fenders that won't touch the frame Quickguard fender replaces Quick Release nut for fenders that won't touch the frame

The fender itself will be made from plastic but the strut is aluminum which adds up to about a 219g weight for the prototype, though the production fender is expected to be less. One of the biggest advantages of the system seems to be a rattle free design which is the result of the thick aluminum strut.

Still in the prototype phase, Chris is hoping that Kickstarter will finally bring his design to life with an expected delivery of April 2018 if successful. By taking advantage of the Super Early Bird deal, you can get a pair of fenders for about $54.

kickstarter.com

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40 Comments
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Anita
Anita
6 years ago

Good idea but why wouldn’t you just make the guard longer or add a small flap? No one is going get their back side wet just so the rider behind stays clean.

Chris
Chris
6 years ago
Reply to  Anita

If you want to protect yourself only just move the fender up the wheel more. The Quickguard is fully adjustable

Anita
Anita
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Yes, Chris. I realize it can move up or down, but would anyone stop their ride to adjust it…several times depending on if they are ahead or behind other riders? Not likely. Just make it longer and you don’t have to choose who gets the spray. But thru axle will make this product obsolete anyways.

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  Anita

There’s an option available for thru axles too. You don’t need to stop and adjust it. Just set it before you start riding, the fender covers the wheel from the 7 oclock to the 12 oclock position which will both protect you and the riders behind you. Its been designed to be the perfect length – full protection plus lightweight plus minimal parts.

Anita
Anita
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris Howard

Thanks clarification, Chris. Sounds like a useful product.

Sir eddy.
Sir eddy.
6 years ago

Great idea. Pity most winter bikes nowadays including mine are thru axle.

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  Sir eddy.

There’s an option available for thru axles too

John Hansen
John Hansen
6 years ago

Great idea unfortunately bikes are headed toward thru axles rendering this awesome idea 20 years late

Nate
Nate
6 years ago
Reply to  John Hansen

Custom thru axles for hauling trailers and kid carriers have been around for years for mountain bikes (which have been using “innovations” like hydraulic disk brakes, and thru axles for a long long time). I have one from this small company for my fat bike and it’s fantastic:

https://robertaxleproject.com

I’m sure it will be no special challenge for them to whip up some for road bikes as well.

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  John Hansen

There’s an option available for thru axles too

Marcus Moore
6 years ago

For thru axles there should be a simple solution that may require a custom made thru axle (with internal threading as well as external thread whereby the internal thread can have a ‘skewer attachment’ for the mudguard nut)

FFM
FFM
6 years ago
Reply to  Marcus Moore

Specialized has what you describe. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/equipment/accessories/thru-axlerackmount/133776

Also if you’re group riding and a front wheel bumps it, might it be forced downward in the direction that unscrews the QR a bit? Coupled with the fact that a significant number of people can barely sort a QR as is… maybe not super likely to be a disaster but still.

Chris
Chris
6 years ago
Reply to  FFM

It’s unlikely the QR will unscrew if bumped as that would tighten the QR nut not unscrew it.

TK
TK
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris

*Only if mounted on the non-drive side. Some pictures above show mounting on the drive side.

At ~200g, it may come loose if someone tightens their closed skewer by rotating the fender (Drive side mount). It’s an extremely beginner action but hopefully injury is avoided as the fender crashes into the pavement and the rider slows to correct the problem.

FFM
FFM
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Case in point.

algerbikes
algerbikes
6 years ago

Who is this Dr. Stephenson? Seems scientific.

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

Giant bicycles released one of these about 3-4 years ago.

Denny peat
Denny peat
6 years ago

Got thru axles, but looks a great idea

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  Denny peat

it works with thru axles too

NICK
NICK
6 years ago

This concept has already been thought of by the Taiwanese company Qbicle. Not identical though gee it looks similar. It is mounted on the frame

https://www.qbicle.com.tw/product.php?type_sn=51&names=TANGENT%20FENDER

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  NICK

The Quickguard provides superior protection from road spray covering the wheel from the 7 oclock to 12 oclock positions stopping 100% of the water to your rear and the riders behind you – Qbicle can’t do that.

dannycarr2k
6 years ago

So one product isn’t going to please everyone… shocker.

It looks ideal for my needs.

Collin S
Collin S
6 years ago

Genetic makes one called the Carbon Micro Fender. I remember seeing either this one or something very similar on bikerumor years ago but I can’t find the original post. It was marketing shpeal was “you have a light bike, why not have a light fender” and had a video of a bike on a trainer or something similar and put water on the wheel to show the spray and did a comparison of before and after.

Bill
Bill
6 years ago

I like the idea but I want longer guards.

syjenkins
syjenkins
6 years ago

What about socketed dropouts (Ritchey style) and/or bikes with RD cables exiting right next to the dropout (like a Colnago CX1)

Dylan
Dylan
6 years ago

interesting, but in the end it looks like a case of different for different’s sake, rather than any practical advantages. Why not just make their own skewer and support the rack from both sides? Triangulation is would let them make it lighter and stiffer. By the time you’ve fully unwound the skewer from the nut, you may as well just pull it out and be done, there’s minimal time saving involved.

dustytires
6 years ago

Beautiful, simple, elegant idea! I rarely need a fender, but when I do I just want to quickly mount it and ride in the rain. With 10 bikes in the garage for the wife and I, only 2 have QR and they are the outdated CX bikes with rim brakes that were retired 2 years ago, but too loved to sell. Even our road bikes have thru axles now. beer’s gone, band left, qr was a hella party for several decades though!

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  dustytires

Quickguard will fit all thru axles too

Chris Kratsch
6 years ago

Quickguard-Chris, We’re here to support QuickGuard with our thru-axles solutions. Reach out to us when you’re ready to roll.

Chris Kratsch
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris Kratsch

robertaxleproject.com

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris Kratsch

will do

#sonomastrong
#sonomastrong
6 years ago

I have owned two sets of “Tangential” fenders by “bikesmart Tangential SL” and the Qbicle model mentioned earlier in the thread. The brittle plastic (not carbon fiber!!) fender shattered, when even gently fastening it to the aluminum stay!! The makers needed to use more traditional materials for the actual fender that would make it durable and SEMI-FLEXIBLE, so as to not shatter!
That being said, I have never had such incredible water protection, when dialed in, at the 10’Oclock position, water would not hit me or the rider behind. I did a 70 mile Grasshopper race in Sonoma County and everyone was fighting over a wheel that had a tangential fender!!

Haiwan Chiang
Haiwan Chiang
6 years ago
Reply to  #sonomastrong

Thanks for your comment.
—Haiwan from Qbicle

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  #sonomastrong

the Quickguard will be made from a Chromoplastic material making it very durable but also flexy to take knocks. The Quickguard provides superior protection from road spray covering the wheel from the 7 oclock to 12 oclock postions stopping 100% of the water to your rear and the riders behind you.

typevertigo
typevertigo
6 years ago

Neat execution, but the idea has indeed been done by Qbicle about three years ago. Qbicle’s actual fenders weren’t anywhere near this long though – more like 1/3 or even 1/4 the length.

Not sure they’re all that great as front fenders, though. There’s a reason why proper front fenders project a ways forward of the fork crown: when riding at higher speeds, that is the only thing preventing you from eating a mouthful of murky street water.

Chris Howard
6 years ago
Reply to  typevertigo

The one Quickguard can be used for the rear or front wheel. When used on the front the fender end is lower than the pedals at the bottom stroke, this is what prevents the spray from hitting your feet as you ride forward. On bikes with larger clearances the fender can be place under the fork crown if desired.

Gef
Gef
6 years ago

I’m in! I have the SKS race day fenders, but it’s always a pain to set them up just right.

Vishnuisgod
Vishnuisgod
6 years ago

longer would be nice, something to protect the brakes too…..

george torres
george torres
6 years ago

wWhy not carbon fiber and adaptable to lockable skewers.

OldDoc
OldDoc
6 years ago

Hey Chris- what about thru axles? Kidding, I saw your many responses about that.
I love this fender. Thanks. It’ll likely end up on a project I’m trying to avoid.

Good luck.
-ODT

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