Commuting - fenders for commute

Lookint to get fenders for my Trek 4300, but not sure if theres anything I should keep in mind. Is there a concern about fenders getting in the way of my rear rack? Im hoping to start commuting soon so am trying to get various things together.

I'm assuming you mean full fenders? If you're going to have a rack on the back,then the standard Planet Bike Freddy Fenders would prolly be best. The Hardcores and SKS's fenders have struts that stick out and may interfere with the rack. You may also want to add a mud flap to the front. Used a piece of rubber shelf liner and some double-sided tape to add one to mine.

yeah, im going for the full fenders. The one thing im concerned about is that my only bike is a mtb with front shocks. Not sure if I can actually manage that properly as I read there is concern about having enough room for the fenders. Im currently wishing I had gone with a rigid mtb, as Im not really doing a whole heck of a lot of off roading. I guess I could replace the fork at some point. Is that very hard to do?

I have the Freddy Fenders Speed-EZ on my bike. On the front, they attach to the fork sliders, which is nice becasue it keeps them closer to the tire. On the back, there's no issue with my rack. The rubber straps are wearing-out after six months, but that's nothing zip ties won't cure.

I'm assuming you mean full fenders? If you're going to have a rack on the back,then the standard Planet Bike Freddy Fenders would prolly be best. The Hardcores and SKS's fenders have struts that stick out and may interfere with the rack. You may also want to add a mud flap to the front. Used a piece of rubber shelf liner and some double-sided tape to add one to mine.
The other tough fit with the Freddy HC's struts is if you only have single brazes at the dropouts. The stock bolts aren't long enough to fit through the two strut mounts and a rack strut. I had to ditch my rack for that reason when I put on my HC's.

A friend of mine runs Freddy Fender Hardcores on his RockHopper with front suspension. It works out just fine. Depends a bit on your fork, but as long as there's a reflector mounting hole and a pair of eyelets at the dropouts, they work nicely with slicks. You can get a skinnier, high pressure tire to create more clearance, but considering 1.95" knobbies, you shouldn't have any trouble running 1.25" - 1.5" slicks under Freddies.

The struts on the rear can be run under most racks. Put the fenders on first. If you have two sets of eyelets in the rear, put the fenders on the lower of the two. If not, get some longer bolts from the LBS or hardware store. Its all good once its in place.

The other tough fit with the Freddy HC's struts is if you only have single brazes at the dropouts. The stock bolts aren't long enough to fit through the two strut mounts and a rack strut. I had to ditch my rack for that reason when I put on my HC's.

Uh, what about getting longer bolts at the local hardware store? I think rack eyelets use M5 bolts.

A friend of mine runs Freddy Fender Hardcores on his RockHopper with front suspension. It works out just fine. Depends a bit on your fork, but as long as there's a reflector mounting hole and a pair of eyelets at the dropouts, they work nicely with slicks. You can get a skinnier, high pressure tire to create more clearance, but considering 1.95" knobbies, you shouldn't have any trouble running 1.25" - 1.5" slicks under Freddies. ...

Here is a shot of the 'custom mounts' I used on the RockHopper mentioned above (I had no front eyelets):
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=24477

Original thread is located here:
228122

Speaking of fenders, does anyone know what fenders these are? Check the bike in this link: http://www.vanillabicycles.com/bikes/commuter/bike_b/index.html

I've got sks commuter fenders on my xo2...on which I have a Blackburn Mtn rack installed I've had no problems with fit. The xo2 uses a 26" wheel...but I'd say the sks commuter would work on a 700c as well...the wirestruts stick out the back...abit. but are easily cut off with some good sidecutters for a better fit.

When I put the fenders on, with the rack as well, is there any need to add anything to the bolts to diminish chances of them coming loose?

When I put the fenders on, with the rack as well, is there any need to add anything to the bolts to diminish chances of them coming loose?

Blue Loctite.

Blue Loctite.
+1 Blue loctite is what I used on everything I thought I'd be okay... watch them strut bolts...one of mine worked loose on the front and fell out...I ended up replacing it with a zip tie....;)

Uh, what about getting longer bolts at the local hardware store? I think rack eyelets use M5 bolts.

That's what I did, but I thought they were M10. Just bring one in to make sure they are the same. One thing to consider though...steel bolts in an AL bike = rusty bolts in no time. Spend the extra few pennies for the stainless bolts.

Since people are talking about the size of fenders and what not:
I'm just ordered some freddy fenders for the bike I'm converting to a commuter. It has (at the moment) those old breaks (pull up, V style I think?). Will those work with Fenders, or do I need to move to a newer style ( I forget the name, sorry:( )

I haven't got all the parts yet, so maybe it'll become clear when I get to it.

If the "pull up" portion is two cables in a v-shape, those are an easy style of brakes to mount fenders with. They're either cantilever or center-pull. The newer style "V Brakes" or "Linear Pull" also work well with fenders. It's the sidepull brakes (road bikes) that can make it tough, or impossible, depending upon design.

I bought Freddy Hardcores last week and mounted the front on my fixed gear Giant Bowery. They work pretty well, but my feet still got wet in the rain. I need to make a bigger mudflap, I guess.

I haven't loctite'd my fenders, that is an excellent idea, tho.

Speaking of fenders, does anyone know what fenders these are? Check the bike in this link: http://www.vanillabicycles.com/bikes/commuter/bike_b/index.html

there was a thread a year or so ago that sascha chimed in on himself. IIRC he has the fenders fabbed in taiwan especially for his bikes and then spends a long, long time getting them dialed in. sadly nothing off the shelf looks that good, no matter how long you spend on it.

Vanilla = beautiful. A guy at my LBS was showing me the Vanilla site the other day. Really, really nice looking stuff. They already sell Vicious and Indy, though, so I don't think they'll be picking up Vanilla anytime soon. Love 'em, tho, along with the A.N.T. bikes.

there was a thread a year or so ago that sascha chimed in on himself. IIRC he has the fenders fabbed in taiwan especially for his bikes and then spends a long, long time getting them dialed in. sadly nothing off the shelf looks that good, no matter how long you spend on it.

sigh... but I want the ones on that bike. Actually, I just want that bike. It's a beautiful bike. I need more money.

I'm assuming you mean full fenders? If you're going to have a rack on the back,then the standard Planet Bike Freddy Fenders would prolly be best. The Hardcores and SKS's fenders have struts that stick out and may interfere with the rack. You may also want to add a mud flap to the front. Used a piece of rubber shelf liner and some double-sided tape to add one to mine.
I love my SKS fenders, and they work fine under the rack. One of the struts did rattle a bit against a rack support, but I just zip-tied the two together and no more rattle.