$1 MTB Mud Guard

by jdlee77

179K9247

Intro: $1 MTB Mud Guard

This is a super cheap way to have an indestructible mud guard on your mountain bike.

Things you will need:
Cheap plastic cutting mat ($1 at Dollar Tree) http://goo.gl/rh3oYy
(4) zip-ties

Tools:
Pencil
Printer (to print out stencil 8.5 x 11)
Scissors 
X-acto knife or hole punch

STEP 1:

Print out stencil PDF  on 8.5 x 11 (landscape) letter paper and cut it out with scissors. Don't forget to cut out zip tie holes.

I added a second version of the mud guard. I extended the guard past the forks to control even more of the muck and mire. Enjoy.

You will need to print out both pages line them up and tape them together and then cut out the whole stencil. (I did this because I figure most people only have letter size paper not 11x17 or the like.)

STEP 2:

Trace out line of paper stencil with pencil onto plastic cutting mat

STEP 3:

Cut plastic cutting mat into shape traced onto mat. Punch or cut holes in plastic for zip-ties.

STEP 4:

Mount mud guard onto forks. Loosely attach all four zip-ties to fork. Stating with the top zip-ties snug them up to the cross member making sure the mud guard is centered. Then snug the zip-ties on the down tubes. Then snip off zip-tie tail.

STEP 5:

APPLY STICKERS, and go get muddy!

STEP 6: Extra Files

Here are a few extra files for you to use. DWG, DXF and SketchUp SKP

23 Comments

alecMTB 2 years ago

Well done, jdlee77! thanks!

S0dyP0p 3 years ago

This is a pretty inexpensive part, by bike part standards, but I was really hoping someone had created a good PDF template I could use to go even cheaper. And you did! Thank you.

I notice some of you posting "made it"s skipped at least part of step 5, which is a shame. Mine will definitely have stickers prior to mud application.

jdlee77 3 years ago

Step 5 is the most important step :)

BrettJ30 6 years ago

hey guys how would this template go on a stunt jumper fattie i.e 3 inch tyre? cheers

orangerusty 5 years ago

Unfortunately, I just tried it and no, it didn't leave enough clearance for the tire. Bummer I didn't think about it before I cut it out. Aaargh!

sbrusek 7 years ago

2017 giant trance. Version one at the front. Version two with custom holes at the back. Thank you for your plans

Ps. Plastic $1each from homeware section in Target in Aus

unarj 7 years ago

would love to see a template for reverse forks (Manitou, etc)

LizzieM9 7 years ago

where do u find the plastic im in australia

Justinv12 7 years ago

What size should the final product be? Length and width? of the front and back?

jdlee77 7 years ago

The "small" one prints on 8.5" x 11" paper. So it's approximately 8.5" x 10". You can use the same pattern for the front wheel and back wheel on your bike. Happy Building! Dont forget to come back and post photos!

Justinv12 7 years ago

Thanks. I tried it out this weekend. Came out perfectly. Just need to get on some wet and muddy trails!

fughley 8 years ago

Very Clever! so simple yet so effective.

ddoan3 9 years ago

Same template. Used on my rear tire. Also used on my fixie.

jdlee77 9 years ago

Looks great! Thanks for showing the photos. Good to know it works on the back as well.

ddoan3 9 years ago

Awesome! Looks like marshguard and the other on shelf fender u buy at the local bike shop

jdlee77 10 years ago

I have added a second version. Enjoy :)
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