No.22 has released $1,100 titanium full-length mudguards for road and gravel riding. The road option fits 28mm tyres and the gravel version wraps around 35mm tyres.
Each width starts from $900 in the raw colour finish and one-colour anodised increases the price to $1,000. Both high-polish and anodised-fade options cost $1,100 (international pricing N/A).
The American brand, which specialises in titanium road bikes, says the mudguards are made from a single piece of titanium.
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This eliminates seams, creating clean edges and a smooth surface, according to the New York-state based manufacturer.
No.22 has opted for the lightweight strength of titanium in its ‘guards. The mudguards mount using standard hardware.
Although titanium is an increasingly common frame material for road and gravel bikes alike, titanium mudguards are rarer.
!["No.22]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/02/Drifter-X-Fenders-Rear-Fender-4a7a3ca-e1644325013176.jpeg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413" "\"Drifter-X-Fenders-Rear-Fender\"")
The best mudguards and fenders are typically made from plastic or metal, such as Velo Orange’s alloy mudguards.
Most alloy mudguards come with a small weight penalty compared to plastic mudguards. This is likely to be of little concern on the best commuter bikes, when staying dry is the priority over performance.
However, if you’re a dedicated weight weenie running mudguards on the best road bikes and best gravel bikes, and as gravel racing comes to the fore, the weight of full-length alloy mudguards may be a cause for (minor) concern.
Or, maybe you’re just a committed ti’ magpie and like the idea of titanium mudguards. If that’s the case, more power to you.