Bicycle Mechanics - Total newb - Fender questions!

Hello everyone,

I am new here and new to biking as well. I biked as a kid for fun but I want to get more into it for commuting and everyday travel so I feel it's important to get informed and ask a lot of questions! Hopefully you guys can help me to struggle along.

First off here's my new (old) bike:

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6644/imgp6716qj4.jpg

It's a GT Timberline that I bought for $50 from this place where they take old bikes, tune them up, and then sell them.

1) Those nice shiny fenders I have on there are from an older junked mtb I had and the stays attached to the axle bolts of that bike. I took them off and put them on my new old mtb which uses quick release for both the front and rear wheel. I just wanted to make sure that it is okay to do this? If it is should I be putting some kind of washer or something else there? I really don't know if this is proper. Here are some pictures of what it looks like to help you guys get a better idea:

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/2512/imgp6710ti3.jpg

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8864/imgp6709bd9.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/8061/imgp6711kj1.jpg

http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/655/imgp6712bk3.jpg

Also,
2) Is there one bolt/nut size/type that I should always be using for any "add-ons" so that I ensure that I need the fewest tools possible? And how do I decide what length/width bolts I should use for certain things? This one here looks like it may be a bit to long eh? Oh yeah and what about washers - where do I put them/what are they for/ do I need them on all bolts or only certain ones and do they go on both sides?:

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/3143/imgp6715wk1.jpg

Thanks a lot for the help everyone!

Looks fine to me. You could also double up on the rack mounts as well instead of the axle if you were so inclined. The only advantage would be less hassle on a flat change (or whenever you might remove your wheels)

Looks fine to me. You could also double up on the rack mounts as well instead of the axle if you were so inclined. The only advantage would be less hassle on a flat change (or whenever you might remove your wheels)

Yes, I was thinking about doing that but when I tried it I noticed something very important - the fender stays are to long for the eyelets and if I mount them there then the fender itself is pried up against the wheel and there is just no way.

Also,
2) Is there one bolt/nut size/type that I should always be using for any "add-ons" so that I ensure that I need the fewest tools possible? And how do I decide what length/width bolts I should use for certain things? This one here looks like it may be a bit to long eh? Oh yeah and what about washers - where do I put them/what are they for/ do I need them on all bolts or only certain ones and do they go on both sides?:
Most of my rack hardware seems to take an 8mm wrench, but those are pretty small in diameter. The first wrench I bought was adjustable, so I don't worry too much. If you want to make your tool kit smaller, an 8/10mm wrench should be able to handle most sizes.

Washers on the side you rotate more to tighten. On your front fender, probably the nut side; if you use threaded eyelets, still use one. Also consider loctite or lock washers or stop nuts / nylock nuts for any hardware you add - it's easy for bolts to shake loose by themselves.

And how many threads are holding that rear skewer nut on?
Don't worry. Odd are you won't totally die when it pops off.

If it were mine, I'd cut the fender stays shorter to remove the excess length and drill new 5 mm or 7/32" holes through them so I could double up the fender stays with the rack mounting bolts. As I bRAD noted, changing a flat with the fenders mounted the way they are will be a real hassle.

As to your skewer, don't worry. You have plenty of thread engagement even with the current situation.