Mountain Biking - fenders for my new mtn bike

Hi all,

I got a Trek 6500 and am looking at getting fenders front and rear. I am going to use this bike for fun AND commuting so I need a full set of fenders that will keep rain off me (I live in the Pacific NW).

Any suggestions on what to get? A friend had a problem with installing fenders on his bike due to the front shock. I saw at PerformanceBike.com that there are Freddy fenders and in the pic it looked like they worked with a front shock.

Thanks for any help!

J.O.
Portland, OR

The best front fenders are those that fit in the bottom of the steerer tube of the fork (others don't give you enough clearance off-road). I still found that the guard (tried a couple of brands)was interfereing with the brakes on braking/fork compression and am currently running a down-tube guard (crud-catcher) that keeps more spray off me than I expected. Rear wise look for a guard that's fairly long and reasonably wide, whilst giving at least an inch clearance from your largest tyre (full guards aren't any good off-road but work well on-road - I like the Crud rear guard (seatpost mount)).

I have a guard that fits on the frame for the front tire. The cables run through special slits and the guard attatches with velcro.
My rear is a small one that attatches to the back of my rear rack with a screw. You might want to think about the possibility of a rack and if you are going to get one in the future, you don't want to get a fender you can't use with it. If you aren't getting a rack, those rear fenders that attatch to the seat post look pretty good.

Dave

A pic to show you what I now use. The rear fender doesn't stop the use of panniers, and will swivel up to almost 45 degrees. I'd take it off if I needed to haul much more, or in an emergency loosen the allen bolts and swing it round so that it lays along the top tube. It's a compromise between full protection and the ability to properly use it off-road, but it works fairly well:

I use SKS Shockboard fenders. The rear attaches via a wrap-around strap that is ratcheted tight. The front fits into the bottom of the steerer tube. I have used them for both communting and off-roading, and overall I have been happy with them. Something worth looking at at least.

SKS are the first port of call for fenders. If you can fit the standard chromoplastic models (in MTB size) using fender eyelets, they provide much better protection than the suspension-specific boards.

Zipties are a good way of attatching them in awkward places. I even use one on the chainstay bridge of my road bike.

I have seen ******* who put 3 rear fenders to act like spoilers.... so don't over do it!:)

I'd rather be covered in dirty water than have gay looking fenders on my bike..(sks). Get an Azonic DH fender for the front, and a THE fender for the rear.

In response to some of the other posts: I know SKS aren't the best looking or the most functional, but they work, and if you are lazy and just don't feel like spending the extra money like me, than they do the job. If I weren't lazy, however, I would much more likely have a set of THE fenders on my ride.

Hey, KleinMP99, some of us are gay so it isn't a derogatory term.

I think that there is definately room for some development in fender development. It seems like a good idea to have some great fenders that are easy-on, easy-off, work with shocks and also keep the mud/rain/worms off. You listening out there all you bike part development people who read this? :p

I once saw someone make fenders out of cut up 2 litre soda bottles stuck together with duct tape. It was pretty cool. The things you see in a college town....

It doesn't rain where I live often enough to really merit fenders. When it does I just wear different clothes and change at work.

I guess if people feel their sexuality is swayed by the absence or presence of fenders on their bike, they cant be too certain.

For keeping road grime off your clothes, close-fitting fenders are far more effective than wide clearance off-road models, esp with road-going slicks. They are also much more aerodynamic and lighter in weight, so you go faster and stay cleaner. Who could argue with that?

Really, For the front fender i would get a THE Fender, they are vbery good quailty.:beer:

Topeak Defender superlights fornt and rear. Rear attaches to seat post, front attaches under the steerer tube. They're light, effective and easy to remove. Total weight 200g. Bit delicate though.