Mountain Biking - Anyone use fenders for XC?

Yesterday I rode through the worst hard rain and mud conditions I've ever ridden, and I don't know if it was because of my front Hutchinson Alligator Gold tire running in the opposite direction, but I had a steady diet of mud on my face. (Had to spit a lot of it).
And don't get me wrong, I don't mind getting completely covered with mud, but I just can't stand getting it through my mouth and eyes.

While I was riding, only one thing was on my mind:
"I wouldn't be eating mud if I had a front fender".

Now, here's the big question:

Why in the world almost everybody seems to avoid fenders?

Oh, yes, and:
Which front fender would you recommend for my Raleigh M800? (RockShox Duke C fork).

I've tried three or four front fenders, and couldn't find one that worked well with brakes and suspension. I now simply use a crud catcher downtube guard, which keeps the worst off.

Richard

I use a T.H.E. fender on my bike when there is inclement weather. It looks cool but a PITA to put on and take off. I suggest an SKS fender.

I have removable fenders that i ride with about 90% of the time. I sometimes take the rear off if i don't expect rain or many muddy puddles... (in Oregon i would take the fenders off for the dry season from July through September, but in Europe it can rain anytime so i pretty much use them year-round) -- front = pretty much always, rear = most of the time

i am truly amazed in wet rides and races that most other XC riders do not use them. they weigh almost nothing, for XC create negligible wind drag, so i see almost no disadvantages to using them --- #1 is probably that people think they look dorky, but keeping dirt chunks out of my eyes on a downhill and my rear as well as my rear shock a little cleaner is a good thing! about the only other possible disadvantage which doesn't occur often is that in really wet XC races with some flatter parts, IF you use a rear fender it's easier for others to draft off of you b/c it doesn't throw crap all in their eyes. For group rides i really wish others would use rear fenders, b/c i hate riding in a pace-line and getting spewed with mud from the rear tire in front of me...

for the front i had another fender - i think a Mt Zefal, but not sure, that was removable, but not quick b/c you had to undo a screw under the fork. Now i have a button-release fender that i totally lova although i can't remember the name -- looks like the motorcross-style fenders, but a little smaller.

i find the down-tube fenders are better than nothing, but not nearly as good as a real fender -- especially for high-speed downhills where stuff fly up from the front wheel in front of the handlebars -- downtube fenders don't catch this at all so the crap ends up on my sunglasses or in my eyes!

for the rear i like the Mt Zefal - i think it's called the Flamingo -- anyway, i like it b/c it has a screw-on attachment that doesn't come loose and slide around like most of the removables.

Originally posted by Richard D
I've tried three or four front fenders, and couldn't find one that worked well with brakes and suspension. I now simply use a crud catcher downtube guard, which keeps the worst off.

Richard

Which brand/model of "crud catcher", and where did you purchase it?

And, by the way, my bike is a Hardtail with Disk Brakes, so V-brakes won't be on the way.

Originally posted by ofroading347


Which brand/model of "crud catcher", and where did you purchase it?

- Crud

- lbs (UK, but can order from most UK mail order compainies e.g. www.wiggle.co.uk)

Originally posted by ofroading347

Now, here's the big question:

Why in the world almost everybody seems to avoid fenders?

We don't know either. We love fenders too!
http://www.richardsimmons.com/images/img/image1.gif

Since I won't always be riding under extreme mud and rain conditions, I decided to purchase a T.H.E. Shroud Fender, which anyway covers my face from sand and stones during the dry season.
http://pricepoint.com/media/THE_Shroud.jpg

Originally posted by Richard D


- Crud

- lbs (UK, but can order from most UK mail order compainies e.g. www.wiggle.co.uk)

Yes, the Crud Crud Catcher is similar to the T.H.E. Shroud Fender:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/crud%20catcher.jpg