Bike lights, mudguards & co: How to equip your MTB for dirty weather

Fans of sporty mountain bikes know that as long as the sun is shining, the fun of cycling knows no bounds. If the sky clouds over, the pleasure gives way to the burden. When it's wet, dirty and visibility is poor, the cherished bike prefers to stay in the garage. Fortunately, the reduced equipment of sporty bikes can easily be raised to a level suitable for everyday use with useful accessories - with lighting systems, mudguards and pannier racks that can be attached and removed with a quick-release coupling.

For better visibility: battery light on the bike

In the meantime, the legislator no longer insists on a dynamo and allows Battery-operated lighting systems - provided they are approved in accordance with the StVZO. They are very easy to install and are attached to the handlebars or seat post using rubber rings or couplings. The headlights draw their power almost exclusively from rechargeable lithium batteries. The price range is wide, with inexpensive sets starting at around 55 euros, while powerful models cost up to 200 euros.

Recommended lighting sets:

Busch & Müller Ixon Space headlight

• Price: 199,90 Euro >> available at a reduced price at Rosebikes
• Weight: 240 grammes
• 150 lux
• Large-area light field
• Close-range illumination
• Integrated lithium battery
• Capacity indicator
• Splashproof and rainproof
• StVZO-approved
• Flexible light intensity selection via touch slider, display shows exact remaining lighting time
• Highest level: 150 lux (> 2 hours), lowest level: 10-20 lux (30 hours)
• Powerbank function: charge USB mobile devices via headlight battery

Busch + Müller Ixback senso rear light

• Price: 39,90 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight: 30 grammes
• LineTec function
• Sensor automation
• Capacity indicator
• StVZO-approved
• Seat post assembly
• Lighting duration: 15 hours
• 360° all-round visibility

Supernova Airstream 2 headlight

• Price: 199 Euro >> at Bicycle XXL available at a reduced price
• Weight: 165 g without holder
• Low beam: 230 lm, 105 lx
• Daytime running light: integrated in lens
• Light duration: 2.5 - 14 hours, with 4 light levels. 80 % quick charge in 4 hours, 100 % in 6 hours
• Housing dimensions: 108 x 41 x 49 mm
• Warranty: 3 years* (*Battery is designed for at least 500 charging cycles [= approx. 5 years of use] and has a warranty of 2 years. The battery can be easily replaced by Supernova).
• 1 x handlebar holder for 25.4/26.0 and 31.8 mm handlebar diameter
• 2 x rubber ring with different elasticity
• Power supply unit with wide input range 110 - 240 V
• USB charging cable
• Protective cap

Supernova Airstream Tail Light 2 rear light

• Price: 49,90 Euro >> available at a reduced price at Fahrrad XXL
• Weight: 18 g
• Powered by the Airstream Power Port. Only compatible with Supernova Airstream headlights
• Luminous intensity: 11 cd
• Material: anodised aluminium, polished black
• Housing dimensions: 18 x 11.5 x 30.6 mm
• Warranty: 5 years
• 1x clamping ring
• Rear light cable 1,200 mm, cannot be shortened

Sigma Aura 60 USB rechargeable headlight

• Price: 54,95 Euro >> z. e.g. available here / in a set: 64,95 Euro
• Weight 105 g (incl. holder)
• Lighting range 70 m
• Lighting duration 10 h
• Charging time 3.5 h
• Illuminance 60 LUX
• Two-stage battery/charging indicator
• Integrated charging function
• Osram LED light source
• Light Guide for very good lateral visibility
• Splash-proof according to IPX4
• Adjustable bracket 360°
• Tool-free assembly
• Switch-on protection
• 3 light modes
• StVZO approved

Sigma Nugget II battery-powered rear light

• Price: 13,95 Euro >> available here/ in a set: 64,95 Euro
• Weight 24 g
• Visibility ≤ 400 m
• Light duration ≤ 6 h
• Charging time 2 h
• Two-stage battery/charging indicator
• Integrated charging function
• LED light source
• Lateral visibility
• Splash-proof according to IPX4
• Tool-free installation with O-ring holder
• StVZO approved

For clean legs: retrofitting mudguards

Wheel protectors or also plastic wheel guards are available with and without underrun struts. They support the mudguards on the frame and improve their grip. Mudguards with underrun struts can usually only be attached to the rear triangle, as suspension forks do not have threaded bushes for mounting them. Push-on plates like the Hebie Natter 26 require a threaded bush in the triple clamp. If this is missing, their mounting brackets cannot be fitted. In this case, a model with a clamp mount in the head tube will help, for example the Monkey Fender Set from SKS. Before buying mudguards, also make sure that they fit the wheel diameter and tyre width.

>> Retrofitting mudguards: how it works

Mudguard sets for retrofitting

SKS Velo 65 Mountain Set

• Price: 24,99 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight: 263 g
• Material: Plastic
• Colour: black
• Wheel size: 26", 27,5" (650b) "
• Tyre width in inches: 2.0"-2.35"
• Tyre width in mm: 52-60 mm
• Front wheel guard length: 605 mm
• Rear wheel guard length: 850 mm
• Universal fastening
• Optionally also with strut attachment
• also available for 29" mountain bikes
• Made in Germany

SKS Monkey MTB Fender Recharge

• Price: 79,99 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight: 490 g
• Material: Plastic
• Colour: black
• Wheel size: 26", 27,5" (650b)", 28", 29 "
• Tyre width in inches: 3.0"
• Front wheel guard length: 616 mm
• Rear wheel guard length: 684 mm
• Incl. rear light with StVZO approval
• Also available individually:
  MonkeyFender Front
  MonkeyFender Rear Recharge
• More info: www.sks-germany.com

Hebie Natter 26 Set

• Price: 9,95 Euro >> available here
• Weight 280 g (incl. mounting material), 160 g (without)
• Very low installation height: max. 12 mm
• Quick to install and remove
• Width approx. 60 mm
• for tyres with a width of more than 60 mm (>2.36")
• suitable for 26"-29":
  Length VR approx. 54 cm, HR approx. 75 cm

For more everyday practicality: fitting the luggage rack

Pannier racks with a quick-release coupling for mounting on the seat post or rear stays are available, but they cannot cope with heavy loads. If you want to transport heavy luggage, there is no getting round a rack that is firmly bolted to the frame. The Racktime Fold IT can carry 25 kilos, and the system carrier also has mounts for various bags or baskets. Because the assembly effort is quite high, the investment is only worthwhile if the bike is mainly used in everyday life becomes.

3 Luggage racks for retrofitting

Topeak MTX Beamrack

• Price: 59,95 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight: 696 g
• Material: Aluminium
• Clamping rubbers
• Reflector
• Tail light bracket with 80 mm bolt spacing
• Fastening: Suitable for Ø 25.4 - 31.8 mm tubes (incl. spacer rubbers)
• Dimensions: 51 x 12 x 11 cm
• max. load: 9 kg

Thule Tour Rack

• Price: 109,95 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight: 1.1 kg
• Dimensions: 17 x 35.5 x 31 cm
• Colour: Black
• Materials: nylon, steel, aluminium
• Rubber-coated clamps
• Space for tyres up to 29" x 2.5"
• Integrated light/reflector holder
• Adjustable support surface and rails

Racktime Fold-it Fix

• Price: 29,99 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 700 g
• Mounting: Frame mounting
• Colour: black
• Material: Aluminium
• suitable for wheel size: 20" (406 mm), 20" (420 mm), 20" (451 mm), 22" (470 mm), 24" (507 mm), 24" (520 mm), 24" (540 mm), 26" (559 mm), 26" (571 mm), 28" (622 mm), 16" (305 mm), 16" (349 mm), 20" (440 mm), 22" (490 mm), 26" (590 mm), 28" (635 mm), 20" (387 mm)
• Luggage carrier features: without spring flap, 4-point mounting
• Maximum load: 25 kg
• Tube diameter: 10 mm
• Accessories: spring flaps, Snap-it adapter, protective film, abrasion protection