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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE JANUARY 24th 2026
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Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards
407g (pair) £45
The Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards are a gravel specific clip-on set that are easy to fit, adjustable, very solidly made and more importantly, very effective. Great all-rounders, they’re particularly good choice for older bikes running cantilevers, although in this context, getting a pleasing aesthetic may require patience.
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Pros: Excellent coverage and protection, very solid, rattle-free construction, straightforward to adjust, compatible with a wider range of bikes.
Cons: Weight, but this is more consideration than con.
Specification
Zefal tell me they're made from a "Techno polymer"; essentially a polypropylene/glass fibre mix, and they really feel substantial in the won't warp, rather than weighty sense. The kit comes complete with a mud flap, which extends protection, although may not be compatible with all setups, especially if you're deviating from the disc and bikepacking luggage script.
More about that later. In terms of length, the rear measures 560 x 54 x 210mm (including the flap) while the front is a similarly generous 461 x 54 x 210mm. Traditionally, one of my biggest resistances, or gripe regarding clip-on guards has been the slightly rattly, fiddly (and in some cases flimsy) fittings that could require an element of bodge to get them to behave.
No such issues here. The guards are pre-assembled and all you need to do is adjust their angles using a 5mm Allen key, while they sit nicely against the frame and fork courtesy of the MD system. Essentially two long "feet" with finish-friendly silicone inserts, while sensibly proportioned Velcro straps lock them securely in situ. Zefal says these are compatible with fork diameters between 10 and 55mm and rear stays between 10 and 32mm, which has plenty of scope for older builds, such as mountain bikes reborn as gravel, or monster cross machines. It's also handy if you're porting between bikes. As for the flap, well, three lengths are provided to tailor the correct coverage depending on your bike's size and geometry.
Clearance wise, Zefal says 48mm, although depending on how aggressive the tread, you could probably go up to 50mm, which should be adequate for most 700c, or 650b gravel contexts, although wider is the trend.
Test Bike/Contexts
No prizes for guessing, it's Denise, my gravel bike built around a high end, late 1980s Dawes mountain bike frameset, with cantilever bosses moved to accept 700c wheels- it had been raced as a cyclo cross bike during the early 90s. Now, most gravel genre mudguards are built with disc brakes in mind. The front guard might be compatible with a cantilever, or V brake setup, but those, such as the very capable Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger will foul the rear brake and vice versa.
The rear gravel Hugger is also designed for more permanent attachment, which suits me, but precludes easy switching between bikes. Back to the Shield G50, fitting isn't quite rip open the packaging and bung 'em in situ, you'll still need to spend a few minutes getting everything aligned correctly. It’s worth ensuring recipient bikes are clean before you start - no need to have them pristine but give the frameset a sudsy bucket wash to remove any mud, grime and grit that could result in scratches. Now would also be the time to fit some helicopter (or electrical) tape where the MD feet will sit against the frameset, especially if you're planning to leave them attached for longer periods.
There was a little more trial and error getting aesthetics and clearance correct with Denise, due in part to the curved fork blades and the M Part Summit Rack , which sits a little lower than some, including the Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non Disc Rack .
Hardly a major issue, given the length, but I needed to forgo the rear mudflap, since it would foul the cantilever's straddle wire. Since we're on the subject, these flaps tether securely to the guard, but via a tiny Allen screw, which is distressingly easy to lose, so be mindful.
When ours arrived, freezing temperatures had brought the ice and salt monsters, seeing me switch from 40mm Maxxis Rambler Tubeless Ready Tyresto 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Winter Spikes, meaning a narrower and taller profile, requiring a little extra clearance. Consequently, the rear is a little gappier than I'd ideally like (given this and the rack's lower stance) but the only way I could ensure the tyre's spikes weren't tickling the undersides. Besides, it wasn't going to clog with agricultural slurry and similar wintry gloop. Snug them to 2.5nm and you're ready for the trail.
Talking of which, Zefal recommends checking them every ride. I needed to snug the Velcro and Allen screws following our first outing, but aside from weekly visual checks, I've only needed to snug things tight twice in the past six weeks.
Performance 4.25/5
Performance all round has been reassuringly good, the guard's profiles offering excellent defence against the lion's share of gloop thrown up along rural roads carpeted in mud and agricultural slurry. I was surprised to discover the seat tube wasn’t sporting a liberal coating. Similarly, there's some gap around the crown and headset area (worth dressing the lower race in a boot fashioned from old butyl, if you hadn't already). Again, it wasn't basted in crud, and I was pleasantly surprised by how little muck clung around the unicrown fork and upper legs. Same goes for the bottom bracket and chainstay regions.
Shod with 35, 38 and 40mm section tyres, the length and curve meant my jacket, tights and booties remained considerably cleaner and one's derriere completely clean and dry.
Expect some light drizzling and spatter around your calves along very wet asphalt and gravel roads, but experience suggests this is slightly superior to the otherwise fabulous Mudhugger Gravel Hugger.
No issues with clogging either and I've found the lion's share will drop off as you ride-given a dry section or stretch of metalled road.
Vibration and chatter proved non-existent, allowing me to relax and just enjoy the ride and a much cleaner experience. This more socially acceptable state makes welcomes at cafe's and friends’ houses that bit warmer and extends their horizons to office bound commuting and more generic winter riding, should clearances allow and traditional full length chrome plastics prove a turn off.
Care/Durability 3.75/5
These are very well engineered and arguably reflected their price tag. More about this in a minute. Six weeks and 700 mixed terrain miles since, grime aside, they're more or less packet fresh. There's been some faint freckling on the mounting hardware but easily addressed with a quick oily rag onceover. I've left cleaning the undersides of ours until giving the bike a thorough, sudsy bucket clean. Direct hits from sharp stones have failed to make any impressions in the composites. The only maintenance I'd be inclined to do, aside from periodic checking and cleaning is washing and drying the Velcro staps and mounting hardware so it doesn't scratch host frames.
Value 3.25/5
£45.99 for the pair is quite an investment in some respects, but as I said earlier, they are well engineered from high quality materials that should last the distance. Arguably, their closest rivals are the Mudhugger Gravel Hugger. Several years down the line, I really rate them, and the front guard's broader coverage offers greater protection to the fork and headset areas. However, its' not as long, so expect the downtube, bottom bracket and shoes to get dirtier. The rear is similarly effective, and the valance shape offers decent protection from spray, especially along waterlogged sections.
That said, these attach via cable ties, so fitting and removal is a little more involved. Helicopter tape (or old butyl bound around the seat stays) is a must to prevent scratches and more serious finish damage. Oh, and they're not suitable for bikes running rim brakes. SKS Speed Rocker are a good bit dearer at £52 and are reputedly a gram heavier. However, they appear to offer slightly more coverage and are suitable for tyres up to 42mm. This night be a little limiting for those seeking to run bigger section gravel rubber, but in practice, having not tested them in the real world, we can’t say how they hold up against either the more permanent Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger, or The Zefal Shield G50.
Polisport G-Mud come in at £29.99 and could give the Zefal Shield a run for your hard-earned. However, we've not tested any, so can't make informed comparison. Commercial options aside, thrifty, resourceful types will note it’s possible to repurpose old full length chrome plastics, cutting them to afford similar coverage and eliminating clog, but this is a custom, rather than off the shelf solution. There may of course be some rattle over rougher ground, courtesy of the mounting hardware.
Summary
Ultimately, the Zefal Shield G50 mudguards are an extremely versatile, well-made and effective solution that has raised my expectations of the quick fit, clip on genre. Features that, coupled with rim brake compatibility means they’re great choices for cyclo cross rigs or drop bar hybrids converted to gravel, or bike packing duties.
Verdict: 4/5 Superior clip on mudguards with excellent protection-on and off road.
Michael Stenning
PUBLISHED JANUARY 2026
