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review

Zefal Shield S10

8
£9.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Simple and effective mini mudguard that is sturdy and easy to fit
Weight: 
48g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Zefal Shield S10 is a minimalist rear mudguard that offers a decent amount of coverage to the rider and has a sturdy fixing system. For a cheap and cheerful fix, what's not to like?

  • Pros: Secure fitment, decent coverage
  • Cons: Restricts the use of a saddle bag

Sometimes you're going to find yourself having to ride in the rain, and if your bike isn't equipped with full mudguards or doesn't have the mounting points then something like this S10 model is a worthwhile workaround.

> Find your nearest dealer here

For starters, it literally takes a few seconds to fit. The clamping area is grooved to accept most standard saddle rails and you just clip the mudguard on.

For added security the Zefal comes with a Velcro strap, just to make sure that everything stays in place. Once fitted, I got no movement from it even when riding on gravel tracks and rough byways.

Zefal Shield S10 - detail.jpg

With a length of 280mm, the S10 offers pretty decent protection from rear wheel spray to your lower back. It's never going to do as good a job as a full guard for yourself or riders behind, but to keep the worst of the water off it does a good job.

It kept my lower back dry and it reduced the effects of ending up riding with a wet chamois.

The S10 is designed for road use and has a width of 85mm at the saddle end, narrowing to 62mm at the other, which Zefal reckons will work with tyres up to 38mm in width. There is a wider S20 mountain bike version if you need it.

Zefal Shield S10.jpg

Riding a cyclo-cross bike with 35mm tyres things were fine, and I didn't get much spray around the sides, although I found it worked best with tyres around the 30mm mark.

The only downsides with saddle-mounted guards is that you can't fit a saddlebag plus things like lights on your seatpost aren't protected.

Zefal Shield S10 - on bike 1.jpg

When it comes to value, splashing out £9.99 on something that performs as well as this makes a lot of sense.

It offers more coverage than the Syncros Coast Fender (£8.99) for instance and won't require you to have a specific saddle either.

> Essential wet weather cycle clothing and gear

It's reasonably priced against the similarly designed Tacx Mudguard Race T7000 at £14.99, too.

On the whole, the Zefal is a cheap and effective solution for those days when you just can't avoid the rain on your race bike.

Verdict

Simple and effective mini mudguard that is sturdy and easy to fit

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Zefal Shield S10

Size tested: One

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Zefal says, "The Shield S10 is a light, discreet mudguard designed for road bikes. Its integrated mounting system makes it easy to install on all types of standard saddle rails. A strong self-adhesive strap reinforces the hold of the Shield S10, protecting your backside from splashes."

For such a small mudguard the Zefal provides decent coverage.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Zefal:

Light And Discreet: Very Light Mudguard

Quick Mounting: Quick Mounting And Removal

Double Lock: Double locking system under the saddle

Universal: Compatible with all standard-rail saddles

Tech Specs

Material: Polypropylene

Weight: 55g

Dimensions: 280mm x 62 to 85mm

Max recommended tyre width: 38c

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Decent coverage to keep road spray to a minimum.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Sturdy fitting.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Can't fit a saddle bag.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It is well priced against others on the market considering its performance.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's very good, with an impressively sturdy fitting system and a shape that provides decent coverage.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the Tech Hub here at F-At Digital, our senior product reviewer Stu uses the knowledge gained from putting well over a 1,000 products through their paces (including hundreds of bikes) to write in-depth reviews of a huge range of kit. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 160,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. Although, as he spends a fair bit of his time reviewing ebikes these days he's becoming an expert in letting the motor take the strain. He's also waiting for 23mm race tyres to make a comeback!

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