Topeak Defender R1 & R2 mudguard set review

We’ve used and liked SKS Raceblades for years for winterising race bikes, but these quick-fit mudguards from Topeak add an extra touch of design flair. The guards are polycarbonate plastic, with stainless steel struts, and the adjustable clips also have the safety feature of being able to pull away if something gets wedged between the wheel and the mudguard.

The really clever bit is the third fastening point on each ‘guard. On the rear this is a simple push-fit clip that passes under the brake calliper to grip the calliper bolt from underneath, while on the front there’s a little plastic plug that fits into the brake calliper bolt recess in the rear of the fork.

Here, a screw-adjusted cam holds it tight. These two fixing points and the stretchy elastic leg straps make for a solid, good-looking, mid-length mudguard set that takes less than a minute to put on or take off. They fit tyres up to 23mm wide.