Flinger F42 Deluxe mudguards review

The Flinger Deluxe mudguards mimic many of the features of the top-selling SKS designs, including the quick-release front mudguard safety clips.

Available in 35mm and 50mm widths as well as the 42mm tested, the Flinger F42 Deluxe mudguards are made from impact-resistant polycarbonate and offer useful width for some modern endurance or gravel bikes.

They’re easy to fit and provide rattle-free riding, although they’re not as long as some of the best mudguards.

Flinger F42 Deluxe mudguards specification and features

Utilising a similar construction to SKS ‘guards, each mudguard has two stainless steel bridges fixed to it for the 4mm diameter, V-shaped stays to attach to.

An angled bracket bolts through the front of the fork crown, and the last 30mm of the beefy steel stays is kinked for easier fitting.

Although subtle, the kinked ends make attaching the front mudguard to dropouts or inside fork legs simpler, especially where disc brakes or racks are involved.

The front mudguard has SKS-style safety clips, effectively a quick-release feature that should save you crashing should an obstruction become jammed between your front tyre and mudguard.

The rear mudguard also mimics the fitting for SKS mudguards, with a hole to bolt onto the chainstay bridge, and a sliding bridge fixing onto the seatstay bridge.

The stays attach very securely to the fixed steel bridges with eyebolts, and the mudguards can then be adjusted for position in relation to the wheel before the stays are cut short, and small caps added to cover the cut ends.

Flinger F42 Deluxe mudguards performance

The Flinger F42’s 42mm width copes well with tyres measuring up to 35mm, and could possibly manage a little more. Its slim profile maximises frame and tyre clearances, and those stout stays keep everything incredibly stable on rough surfaces.

Decent flared flaps on both mudguards are very welcome, and keep a lot of road spray away from you and your drivetrain.

The rear mudguard has a very useful red 60mm Cateye reflector attached.

Although it’s not as long as the exceedingly lengthy SKS Longboard, the F42 gives very good wheel coverage.

Used with 30mm tyres, there’s ample protection from the curved profile, without looking as if the wheels and tyres are on the wrong bike.

Flinger F42 Deluxe mudguards bottom line

Simple to fit, robust, effective in use and easy to live with, the Flinger F42 Deluxe – and the other available widths – cover many tyre sizes and bike styles.

It’s a good-quality mudguard that should ensure protection for years to come.