Commuting - Fenders....where have you been all my life

I've been commuting for 4 years now in the northern suburbs of Chicago and fall has always been dicey due to the cold rains that come with it. For some unbeknownst reason, I've never made the jump to full fenders. Until now..

I guess the purpose of this post is to convince others not willing to make that step that it actually works. I modified the fenders a bit with homemade mudguards (kinda like these at this site ... http://phred.org/~alex/bikes/fendermudflap.html). What a difference! As geeky as this setup looks, it allows for more days on the saddle and less hours stalkin the Weather Channel.

Another convert! I don't understand people not wanting to have fenders on a bicycle that functions as transportation. Both of my commuter bikes have fenders. I've fallen prey to the "need for speed," (and a little bit of style self-consciousness), so the vintage roadie I'll be adding to my stable isn't going to get fenders. But will I be riding that bike to school and work everyday in whatever the sky happens to throw in my direction? Heck no! For my two bikes that get daily utility use, fenders are a necessity, I wouldn't dream of taking them off.

Both of my commuter bikes have fenders. I've fallen prey to the "need for speed," (and a little bit of style self-consciousness), so the vintage roadie I'll be adding to my stable isn't going to get fenders.

Great OP! Fenders are the best.

And I can't figure out the aesthetic argument against them. Old touring bikes with chrome fenders are my favorite bikes ever. I think bikes look naked without fenders, but of course I hardly ever ride for speed. Utility and travel is always my primary motivation for being on a bike.

Lycra + a skunk stripe up my rear and back is not cool. I love my sks fenders.

Full fenders $24. full fenders on a rainy day, priceless.

Fenders may not be a fashion statement - but neither is a skunk stripe. :D

I FINALLY got a rear fender that works - my commute is nearly completely dirt, mud, sand, rock - when it rains, there is an incredible amount of junk. Now I arrive clean, except for my legs below my shorts.

Do fenders slow you down somehow? I have them and don't notice any difference at all.

I think the traffic lights, city buses, taxis and pedestrians jumping out into traffic slow me down far more than anything the fenders could produce.

Yup, once I got fenders, and also to some extent a rain jacket, I stopped even looking at the weather. I now only care if it's going to be raining AND < 40*F, then I take the jacket.
I rode in thunderstorms this morning, no problems. It's pretty fun really. It sucked back when I didn't have fenders though.
I went through a pair of Zefals, which fit and worked fine but got destroyed when something got caught in my spokes last spring. I bought a set of SKSs and they're running great.

Do fenders slow you down somehow? I have them and don't notice any difference at all.

Same here. What slows me down is my J&G jacket and running two panniers. I usually only run one pannier but have quite a bit of clothing to haul back from work.
I may need to invest in a form fitting jacket.

Yes friends, fenders work.

You are preaching to the choir. It's sad that so few bikes are sold with them.

Do fenders slow you down somehow? I have them and don't notice any difference at all.

I don't think they slow you down in the least, unless you're talking about serious racing, where they might have some effect. But who cares about serious racing? This is the commuting forum! The only reason they won't be going on the new bike is that I feel like I can afford to be a little bit of a fashion slave on bike #3... I mean, it's already completely extraneous, right? But for any bike that's meant to be useful most of the time, fenders are required, in my opinion.

I've been commuting for 4 years now in the northern suburbs of Chicago and fall has always been dicey due to the cold rains that come with it. For some unbeknownst reason, I've never made the jump to full fenders. Until now..

I guess the purpose of this post is to convince others not willing to make that step that it actually works. I modified the fenders a bit with homemade mudguards (kinda like these at this site ... http://phred.org/~alex/bikes/fendermudflap.html). What a difference! As geeky as this setup looks, it allows for more days on the saddle and less hours stalkin the Weather Channel.
I am going to buy planet bike fenders, but i would like to make a mud flap like shown above. Is it possible to make the mud flap totally out of duct tape? i don't know where to buy rubber like that.

I'd never had fenders on a bike until I bought a used commuter recently. I can't say enough wonderful things about them. Now I scan the side of the road everyday looking for old bikes with fenders - I want a pair on my mountainbike and one for the tandem (even thought that rarely gets caught in the rain).

I am going to buy planet bike fenders, but i would like to make a mud flap like shown above. Is it possible to make the mud flap totally out of duct tape? i don't know where to buy rubber like that.

Stair tread is available at Home Depot. Look in the carpet/flooring department.

I am going to buy planet bike fenders, but i would like to make a mud flap like shown above. Is it possible to make the mud flap totally out of duct tape? i don't know where to buy rubber like that.
never mind. i should have read the website.

+1 for fenders. :D I bought mine after realizing that when you ride in the rain the front tire picks up water throws it up against the down tube and it splashes directly into your shoes. The difference is astonishing.

You are preaching to the choir. It's sad that so few bikes are sold with them.

No kidding. Considering all the hybrids and comfort bikes out there on the road, I'm really shocked I don't see them more often. You'd at least think LBS's would be glad to lump them in at a slight discount with purchase of a new bike. Or, failing that, the folks who want the cushy joyousness of the lower-pressure tire experience would also think about keeping a bunch of wet filth off themselves while they're at it.

As for astethic crap...hey, to each their own. My guess is that folks either like getting wet or don't ride in the wet. :) I ran full fenders on my roadie (old lugged cromo Schwinn) until I had an accident and had to swap the fork out. The fork I had my LBS prep for me (counter-sink for a recess-mount brake...alas, I have no drill!) sadly had less clearance between the tire and the fork crown, and, being very eager to get riding again, I had to switch to a short-reach caliper for the front and put the full-length fenders aside for a future build. I'm running SKS Raceblade XLs now and they seem to work just fine...a little more grit hits the drive train, but that's what the old wirebrush is for, right?

GEEKY looking?????????? I never understood that. I've always considered the more sporty look "geeky". Fenders add elegance to me. ;-)

This was on another thread a moment ago...but...if you don't think a bike with fenders can be sexy, you obviously havent seen this bike:

http://www.vanillabicycles.com/bikes/commuter/bike_b/lrg/1.jpg

Mudguards are about as optional as pedals.

This was on another thread a moment ago...but...if you don't think a bike with fenders can be sexy, you obviously havent seen this bike:

http://www.vanillabicycles.com/bikes/commuter/bike_b/lrg/1.jpg
Nothing as sexy as a bike with a right brake lever connected to nothing. Or fenders but no chainguard. Makes quite the fashion statement.

I just got my freddy fenders from Planet Bike in the mail yesterday. I'm looking forward to installing them this weekend, espically since I went through a puddle and got water all up my leg. And it was sub 40 degrees out.
Brrrrr

Nothing as sexy as a bike with a right brake lever connected to nothing. Or fenders but no chainguard. Makes quite the fashion statement.
I'm guessing you are being sarcastic, in which case I have to disagree.
First the right brake lever provides a hand position that would not otherwise be available and a fixed gear does not really need the rear brake so you get cleaner lines.
Second fenders are necessary but chain guards are not if you are riding in cycling gear. This bike is a fixed gear equiped with clipless pedals, so the rider is probably not cruising around the neighborhood in long pants.
Now I also think the new Electra Amsterdam is very nice looking and is very approiate with the fender and full chain guard.
http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/_ElectraAmsterdamClassicGr.JPG

This bike is a fixed gear equiped with clipless pedals, so the rider is probably not cruising around the neighborhood in long pants.

I do, all the time. :D

I do, all the time. :D
If I did ride my fixie in non cycling clothes then a chain guard would be a nice addition, however my point was that chain guards are only needed if you ride in noncycling attire while fenders are needed when ever wet roads are encountered. The two requirements are independent.
Actually I do ride my fixie in civilian attire but I don't have a chain guard so I have to roll my pant legs or use a rubber band. Since I don't find this to be a big deal I havn't bothered with the chain guard yet.
Craig

I agree that the Electra Amsterdam is a very nice looking bike.

Actually I do ride in civilian attire but I don't have a chain guard so I have to roll my pant legs or use a rubber band. Since I don't find this to be a big deal I havn't bothered with the chain guard yet. Craig

+1. Takes about a nanosecond to bend down and flip up a pant cuff. Problem solved! :)

And I also think that each bike shown on this thread is a beauty! :love:

Silly question concerning the Electra Amsterdam. Why do you need a rear fender if you have a rack?
I wouldn't mind adding a front fender on my current bike. Bit of road spray thrown up on my face whenever I turn. No skunk stripe with my rear rack though.

markcov

Silly question concerning the Electra Amsterdam. Why do you need a rear fender if you have a rack?
I wouldn't mind adding a front fender on my current bike. Bit of road spray thrown up on my face whenever I turn. No skunk stripe with my rear rack though.

markcov

Rear racks don't offer quite as much cover as a fender. They will keep the spray off your back, but some water will be thrown under the rack and onto the frame and drive train. A rear fender with a mudflap will keep all the water under the fender and off your legs and bike.

First the right brake lever provides a hand position that would not otherwise be available and a fixed gear does not really need the rear brake so you get cleaner lines.
...
Now I also think the new Electra Amsterdam is very nice looking and is very approiate with the fender and full chain guard.
http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/_ElectraAmsterdamClassicGr.JPG
Like I said, clean lines provide a real sexy fashion statement. Unlike the phantom* Electra Amsterdam which doesn't even have one dummy brake lever to provide a clean line, available hand position.:rolleyes:

* "Phantom" means anyone seen one in the flesh outside of the Internet or at a trade show?

Silly question concerning the Electra Amsterdam. Why do you need a rear fender if you have a rack?
I wouldn't mind adding a front fender on my current bike. Bit of road spray thrown up on my face whenever I turn. No skunk stripe with my rear rack though.

markcov


You wouldnt want the crap from spraying on your legs either.

there are a lot of horses in my area, and I dont want their leftovers stuck to the bottom of my rack.

... I modified the fenders a bit with homemade mudguards...
As geeky as this setup looks, it allows for more days on the saddle and less hours stalkin the Weather Channel.

To reduce the geek factor, just glue one of these on the mudflaps:

http://nobodysbusiness.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/mudflap_girl02_sexy_1.jpg

OP, your "old style" flap looks like it could be made from a worn out tube, or would that not be thick enough?

To reduce the geek factor, just glue one of these on the mudflaps:

http://nobodysbusiness.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/mudflap_girl02_sexy_1.jpg
so long geek factor, hello sleeze factor. :) I'll pass on that one.
plus you would need more space on your bike for the gun rack.

so long geek factor, hello sleeze factor. :)

Ya, but sleaze factor is social grease in the Consumption Culture.
I mean, why the F is Paris Hilton famous?

Ya, but sleaze factor is social grease in the Consumption Culture.
I mean, why the F is Paris Hilton famous?

because people are stupid and crazy.

To reduce the geek factor, just glue one of these on the mudflaps:

http://nobodysbusiness.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/mudflap_girl02_sexy_1.jpg
Ya mean like this?

because people are stupid and crazy.

Well. Ya.

So it's best to trick them into thinking that you're "one of them".

Ya mean like this?


Outstanding!

I remember when I asked for a set of fenders at a local bike shop.
the young female shop attendant looked at me in amazement,
"sir, your bike won't look cool"
I replied in my heart, "stupid girl, fenders are must in the rain."
she handed me the fenders, though.

for your info, here in jakarta, bike commuters, the so called white collar commuters,
derive from the mtb crowd. those gathered at the trails at weekends,
become bike commuters.
so they ride full suss bikes, hardtail mtb is minimum, to work.
and yes, you've guessed it. they have no fenders!
and yet jakarta is in the tropics, when it rains, it sure rains hard.

mine? my diamondback parkway amd soviet racer, both have full fenders,
chromed steel, chinese made, 2.5 us dollars a pair....)

Silly question concerning the Electra Amsterdam. Why do you need a rear fender if you have a rack?

Mudguards do a better job blocking spray than racks do. Some racks don't block spray at all.