Fenders? Or not?

[Tornadobike]

I'm thinking of taking the fenders off of our Burley Rumba Softride to get better clearance around the mini-V brakes and Travel Agents we added while still allowing clearance for our rack.

The fenders are held on with screws on the ends but with a big zip tie in the middle, so it won't be a quick on/off solution with our current fenders.

What's your preference? Fenders? Or not?

Or some kind of quick change solution?

[George Handy]

We have fenders on our Co-Mo Cappuccino, more for looks than anything since it dosen't rain too often here in North Texas. Having said that, we went out for a spin this morning and it started raining, so they came in handy today. Enjoying a fabulous Fall so far..

[zonatandem]

If you get lots of rain in Iowa City and you ride in the rain often, fenders would be a plus.
Living in a dry climate (AZ) we have not used fenders in about 30 years. However got sprinkled on, then heavy rain, then a hail storm just this week. Yup, got soaked and the temp dropped 20 degrees in about 10 minutes.
Yeah, we laughed when we got home and put on the coffee pot!

[twilkins9076]

My personal opinion is that fenders make a bike look "clunky" and old fashioned, and the only reason I would have them is if we rode a lot in the rain and muck. We don't, and when we do get caught, I figure we're gonna get wet anyway!

We have a rear rack on our Burley, and it is enough to keep the mud streak off the wife's back when we do have to ride wet roads.

[gregm]

Fenders, yes! ...and alllll the way to the ground in front:

http://home.nannynannybooboo.com/bike/200410fenderbasket/index-Images/0.jpg

The most obviously awesome thing about fenders is that you can ride *after* it's done raining and the roads are all wet, but you stay clean and dry.

Also, I can't deliver a wet stoker to school in the morning, so we fender up the bike and gear up ourselves for the commute. :)

Our main rainy season is about half the year (roughly late fall through early spring), with zero rain in the summer, so I do take them off for about half of the year. The SKS fenders are pretty quick & easy to swap on or off if I want or need to change.

Seems like you would run fenders if your riding gets you wetter than you want, or not run them if you're not having an issue with water from below.

-Greg

[Tornadobike]

We've ridden in the rain a few times, but not on purpose. I'd guess the rear rack would catch at least part of the road water. And I worry about getting scraped on my legs by the metal bars used to attach the fenders.

I'll take 'em off for awhile and see how it goes. Thanks for the opinions.

[masiman]

Fenders, yes! ...and alllll the way to the ground in front:

http://home.nannynannybooboo.com/bike/200410fenderbasket/index-Images/0.jpg

-Greg

Greg,

Just be aware of a potential problem with extending the fender as you have. I had a high school teacher that extended his. On his commute one morning, the extension flapped and touched the wheel. The wheel grabbed the extension and thus the fender, sucking it all up creating an instant break. He endoed pretty good. He told me he was lucky that nothing serious other than bumps, bruises and scratches happened.

I wish I could recall what material he used. I don't remember if it turned out to be too flexible allowing it to touch the wheel. I can't tell from your pic but it looks like yours is a coke bottle and an old inner tube? Just food for thought.

[zonatandem]

If you have a rear rack, install a flat clear plastic piece (almost invisible if you worry about 'looks') on the top of it to act as fender; will protect stoker's back from spray a bit better. However, pilot will still get feet wet.
Even with fenders, when you get passed by cars/trucks, they can really give you a 'free shower!' Been there, done that.

[hill rider]

Greg,

Just be aware of a potential problem with extending the fender as you have. I had a high school teacher that extended his. On his commute one morning, the extension flapped and touched the wheel. The wheel grabbed the extension and thus the fender, sucking it all up creating an instant break. He endoed pretty good. He told me he was lucky that nothing serious other than bumps, bruises and scratches happened.

I wish I could recall what material he used. I don't remember if it turned out to be too flexible allowing it to touch the wheel. I can't tell from your pic but it looks like yours is a coke bottle and an old inner tube? Just food for thought.


Looks like Greg has the q-r connector for the ends of the fender stays, so he should be ok if the extension was to become drawn into the wheel.

[Bill G]

My personal opinion is that fenders make a bike look "clunky" and old fashioned,

I agree and do not care for the looks of fenders on tandems or any other bike for that fact. I know they serve a purpose for those who ride in wet weather. I also will not ride in the rain myself by choice, rain plays hell on tandem parts, increases the maitanance and it is hard to clean your tandem after a ride. Also I think its really usafe to ride in the rain by choice, plus your taking a chance on going down in the rain and getting hurt, not including the damage to the tandem.

I prefer to live where there is good weather for riding most of the time and suppose I would do what I had to do if I lived where it rained all the time.

Take care all, :)
Bill G