Commuting - full fenders or ?

I want to get some fenders for commuting but I'm unsure whether I should get just a rear deflector, full fenders, or something in the middle.

I don't really care much if my lower body gets wet but I don't like the rooster tails getting on my backpack and upper body. I'm thinking a rear deflector is all I really need but how much difference would full fenders make?

Guess it depends on how many day of rain you get in Texas - here in the UK with more rain in a month than you get in a year, you want mudguards cover more than 50% of the rear tyre and at leat 33% of the front tyre

It's not much. Usually there is a month or two in the spring with frequent rain but the rest of the year is fairly dry. Still, I'd like to be prepared for those rainy days. I don't want anything to discourage me from biking in.

Some of the wider seatpost mounted guards are very good if set at the right height above the wheel. I've yet to find a decent guard for the front that works with suspension forks, but a downtube guard keeps the worst off.

Richard

I got a cheapo $10 set from REI yesterday. I decided on them because they were a small investment and they clip on easily. Don't have to use them except on rainy mornings. I don't care about getting wet on the ride home. They probably don't cover as much of the wheel as needed but should keep most of the gunk off of me. I'm guessing they wouldn't work with a front suspension but mine's fixed. Here's a link:

http://www.zefal.com/anglais/indexgardeboueang.html

They are the "Classic V brake."

It doesn't take much to protect you from wheel sling.

In a pinch, I put a folded newspaper on my rear carrier and it protects me from most of the rear sling.

The biggie is covering the front wheel. I say cover it as much as possible. I even have a mud flap that extends beyond the fender. This makes a big difference.

Originally posted by JDP
I want to get some fenders for commuting but I'm unsure whether I should get just a rear deflector, full fenders, or something in the middle.

I don't really care much if my lower body gets wet but I don't like the rooster tails getting on my backpack and upper body. I'm thinking a rear deflector is all I really need but how much difference would full fenders make?

You worry about getting wet, yet, you don't want to wear a helmet? (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12106)

How paradoxical!!!

Yes, I don't like being wet and I don't like wearing helmets. Where's the paradox?

You fear water, yet you don't fear getting hit in the head.

Yet, I proably see a minute point: you think you won't hit your head, and thus, the justification for no helmets.

It just strikes me as funny that you worry about fenders, yet are angry about helmets.

So :lol: do you wear your helmet :lol: in the rain? :D :p

I'm neither fearful of water nor angry at helmets. I'm also not worried about fenders in the least.

Obviously you don't know what fenders are for. They don't pop up a big umbrella over you and prevent you from getting wet. They keep the dirty water from the ground from spraying up on you.

Yes I said that I don't like being wet but I was just playing devil's advocate. I still don't see the paradox since a helmet would be the poorest choice for keeping your head dry.

Originally posted by JDP They keep the dirty water from the ground from spraying up on you. [/B]

So you fear the dirty water from the ground, and yet, not the ground! :lol: hahahaaa!!!

So you equate dislike and discomfort with fear. Might I point you to http://www.dictionary.com ?

Lets not take this to a personal level...

Back on topic, I have full fenders on my commuter, and wouldnt go any other way.

I just bought a set of Topeak Defender's for mine I haven't tried them in the rain yet but I've got a feeling that I'll be rigging a flap of some form up front.

Originally posted by JDP
So you equate dislike and discomfort with fear. Might I point you to http://www.dictionary.com ?

Ok, I'm sorry. You dislike dirty water, but not impact with the ground? :lol: Or, you don't.. Never mind.

Ok, ok I'll stop. It just funny how you are averse to these things.

Dirty water while riding in the rain is inevitable. Hitting my head on the ground is not.

Originally posted by JDP
Dirty water while riding in the rain is inevitable. Hitting my head on the ground is not.

I will respectfully disagree with you on this and leave it at that. Hopefully, I will be wrong about this, and you will never have such an accident. I'd share a plate of crow one day.

JDP, I think you made a good purchase for your purposes. If you visualize a tangent from the rear of the wheel to the rear tip of the fender, it is probably close to vertical, meaning your back is not going to get hit with the spray. Enjoy :)

Update: Today was my first commute in the rain. I clipped the fenders on, bagged up my socks and work shirt (had some jeans and shoes at work), and lit off. It went really well. I could see the front fender deflecting almost all of the water from the front tire and I didn't notice any spray from the back. They even kept the mud off of me that I picked up on a dirt hill that I have to go down. Good purchase for a hardtail, rigid fork Mtn. bike.

The only thing that sucks is sitting in the air conditioned train and dealing with the AC at work before changing. Gets chilly.