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Handguards are commonplace on the mountain bike’s cooler cousin, the dirt bike, but they're rarely seen in our neck of the woods. They’ve gained some popularity among enduro racers, but outside of the die hard crowd that’s willing to take inside lines through bushes most riders would never dream of, handguards are few and far between. I had never considered using them myself, until I broke my finger last summer. It took a long time to get back on the bike due to some complications with the healing process, and I was nervous to get back out there with my weak finger so exposed, so I picked up a set of Crankbrothers Guardian Handguards for a little peace of mind.
With my little ring finger ducking for cover, I got back on the trails with a set of handguards that redefine the silhouette of any bike, and the confidence boost was instant. Having a little wall between my fingers and the outside world got me back on the bike a little earlier than I would have without the hand guards. It’s not the sturdiest piece of plastic in the world, and realistically, wouldn’t do too much to help me if I sent myself back into a tree like I did this summer, but it’s kind of like the psychological boost you get from thin little kneepads while you send yourself hurtling between rocks and trees at a breakneck pace.
Where handguards truly give you protection is during lower speed impacts with rocks or trees where you can glide off of them instead of getting grabbed and thrown out the front door. Their plastic construction makes them incredibly flexible, and their smooth surface allows you to just slide through some impacts instead of picking dirt out of your hair. Another obvious benefit is confidently punching through overgrown sections of trail that would otherwise have you checking up. I’m thinking back to when I lived in Southern California, where the chaparral can really tear you up if a trail hasn’t been brushed in the last couple years. I wish that I had sprung for some hand guards when I was living there, as lots of rides would end with some bloody knucks and no crash to explain them.
During the middle of January, the PNW is known for its inclement weather, and that’s exactly what I was welcomed with as I got back on the bike. A little rain most days means the ferns are always fully loaded with clinging water droplets, ready to deposit themselves onto the next rider to brush past them. My handguards gave my hands a little shield, and would knock the water off the ferns, away from my hands, keeping me a little more dry and comfortable on overgrown trails. Plus, they’re literally a shield from the wind, and whether you’re hauling butt down the trail or motoring down the road back to your car, eliminating the wind chill makes much more of a difference than I expected. Keeping that body temp up even just a few degrees makes a huge difference when you’re out on a long ride, and I think every rider that braves the cold would benefit from handguards keeping them a little more comfortable out on the trail.
The looks have grown on me in the past month of riding with them, and now I’m actually a fan of the moto aesthetic they bring to my bike. These Crankbrothers Guardian Handguards are super adjustable, and they don’t interfere with my brakes, dropper, or shifter position. You can even get an integrated version that replaces your inboard grip clamp, and it’s compatible with just about every popular grip out there. So if you’re looking for a little protection from the elements or trail obstacles, handguards might just be for you!
