Front disk guards - not for rocks

[iancp5]

We're having one of the wetest years for a long time and I live in a sandy ground area. Whenever I have raced in the wet sand I have not finished because my front brake pads are gone in about an hour. I really can't be bothered to try and change pads, covered in wet sandy earth in the rain. I see a lot of US guys use disk guards but not convinced they will help my problem. I guess where you have sand in the US it's hot and dry so maybe you've not come across this problem. The races near me at the moment include riding in wet sand, like a thick soup where the bike is sinking in up to a couple of feet at times. Those that lose momentum seem to end up buried up to the tank in quicksand!

Does anyone know of any guards or some other way of keeping the wet sand away from the caliper?

 

[MattR]

I don't like using front disc guards. On my 2001 XC250, I had a Devol guard installed and it like to collect/hold dirt. On my other bikes, they never had one and I wasn't bothered. Just my $0.02

 

[skid jackson]

damn sounds like you are riding in liquid sandpaper!!

 

[Brian VT]

I don't know that a guard will help with sand. I use it to protect from boulders trashing my disk, ripping my caliper off, grinding my computer cable, or gouging my lower fork leg. I've trashed a c.f. one each year so I think they serve the purpose. I'm trying a Hyde this year and I hope it lasts a bit longer.
Sorry I don't have any advice for sand. Maybe a different compound or disk ? I run a solid disk and see good life from my Dunlop pads.

 

[GMP]

A front rotor guard will keep splash mud off the rotor and help protect the computer pick-up, but thats about it. If your in rotor deep ruts nothing will help, except hard sintered pads, but then your rotors wear out fast. I've always run an Acerbis front guard but not on the '07. Maybe I'll try the Hyde if Brian has good luck with it.

 

[rippn450]

pads

A solid disc is a must and then experiment with pad compounds. I've used Braking CM-44 with good luck. Make sure that the caliper moves freely and that your caliper boots are in good shape. a dragging brake will wear pads quickly. Good Luck