What Defines the ASS Savers Win Wing MTB?
Before diving into the details, it’s worth taking a quick look at the general idea behind minimalist mudguards. They’re not designed to stop every drop, but to neutralise the most critical part of the spray pattern. The Win Wing nails this idea: small, light, and perfectly positioned.
Concept & Functionality
The key lies in the angle. The small plastic wing intercepts the spray right at its point of origin, exactly where the tire catapults water upwards. Instead of trying to block the entire jet, which only a large mudguard can do, it trims off the most energetic part so it no longer lands in the middle of your back. When mounted correctly, the Win Wing never touches the tire, so there’s no rattling, no rubbing and no abrasion marks. A simple idea that works surprisingly well.
Materials & Build Quality
The Win Wing consists of a flexible plastic blade that is robust yet compliant. Even in a crash, it’s almost impossible to destroy. The wings are available in classic black or a wide range of colourful designs. The rubber straps used for mounting are extremely elastic and tear-resistant.
Mounting & Compatibility
Installation is tool-free using two rubber straps. It takes less than a minute as long as your seatstays aren’t too chunky. The straps are quite short, which means they fit many eMTBs but not all of them. In our tests, mounting worked without issues on several bikes from Specialized, Orbea and Canyon. That said, on several YTs and some regular bikes like the Privateer 161 and the GRIN ONE, installation was difficult or impossible.
The manufacturer told us that they intentionally chose shorter straps so the same solution could be used across different product lines, including road and gravel. If it turns out that many bikes are incompatible, they are willing to develop longer straps. Until then, there are a few workarounds: pull down firmly, hold the strap in place, force it through or even use pliers if needed. We tried all of that. Even under heavy force, we weren’t able to break the straps.
Weight & Pack Size
At 114 g including straps (actual weight), the Win Wing is a true lightweight. It’s also very flat and flexible, making it easy to store in a backpack.
The ASS Savers Win Wing MTB on the Trail.
The Win Wing keeps your back surprisingly clean in most conditions. It performs particularly well in puddles, reliably cutting the classic rooster tail. Needless to say, it it reaches its natural limits in very sticky, heavy mud, and lateral spray still makes it through.
On rough trails the Win Wing held on surprisingly well. No rattling, no annoying noises and no tire contact, as long as the mounting was tight. In a few rare cases we experienced slight rubbing, but without causing any damage. For bike park riding and extremely rough terrain, the construction isn’t robust enough.
Wide tires and high torque increase the spray pattern on an eMTB, which makes positioning key. On all-round eMTBs with reasonably-sized seat stays the Win Wing worked very well. With wider seat stays, like those of certain YT, the strap length becomes the limiting factor.
Who Should Take a Closer Look at the ASS Savers Win Wing MTB?
Compared with full-size mudguards, the Win Wing MTB feels like the minimalist, zen-inspired version of a protection system. Much lighter, quieter and cleaner in design, though with less coverage. Riders who prefer a reduced, unobtrusive setup and don’t expect full protection will find a pleasantly simple solution here. Compared with riding without any guard at all, the Win Wing clearly shows its strengths. Your back stays noticeably cleaner, especially when blasting through puddles, and all that without rattling or rubbing. Priced in the mid-range, the Win Wing convinces with ease of use, low weight and solid build quality. The only real downside remains the strap length. ASS Savers could improve on this.
Conclusion
The ASS Savers Win Wing MTB is a cleverly simple product that delivers surprising protection on an MTB as long as the bike is compatible with the strap system. For tour riders, commuters and anyone who wants some extra spray protection without mounting a full-size mudguard, this little wing is a worthwhile upgrade. In deep mud, in bike parks or on frames with very wide seatstays, however, it reaches its limits. All in all, it’s a minimalistic and ingenious accessory. ASS Savers, we’d just love to see longer straps.
Tops
- surprisingly good protection in puddles
- very light and durable
- no rattling or rubbing
- quick and easy to install
- available in many colourful designs
Flops
- less overall coverage than full-size mudguards
- straps too short for some E-MTBs
For further information, visit ass-savers.com.
Words: Jonny Grapentin Photos: Benedikt Schmidt
