Long Distance Cycling - Fender help

Hopefully, this is the place to ask this. I put some really nice SKS fenders on my 1999 Waterford RSE last weekend. The bike looked great. Took it for a test ride and my MTB toe clips got stuck on the front fender and I almost dropped it in the driveway. That will teach me not to check for clearance earlier. Besides going clipless, what else can I do to use the fenders? Shortening the front fender really decreases it's usefullness.


Tim

There's not much else you can do. You could try shorter crank arms, but that is probably not worth the cost and that might make them too short for you.

If you're using plastic clips, you could replace them with metal ones. Metal clips are thinner. but you'll still probably have clearance issues.

Maybe it's time for a new bike, with proper clearance?

In the end, you will probably just need to get used to the clearance problem and learn not to extend the outside pedal forward when turning sharply at low speed while in the clips. Note that you won't have any problem riding at speed since you barely turn the bars once you get moving.

There's not much else you can do. You could try shorter crank arms, but that is probably not worth the cost and that might make them too short for you.

If you're using plastic clips, you could replace them with metal ones. Metal clips are thinner. but you'll still probably have clearance issues.

Maybe it's time for a new bike, with proper clearance?

In the end, you will probably just need to get used to the clearance problem and learn not to extend the outside pedal forward when turning sharply at low speed while in the clips. Note that you won't have any problem riding at speed since you barely turn the bars once you get moving.

Your probably correct. I have a lot more clearance with the Look pedals. The frame is so nice it's hard to justify getting rid of.

Tim

Toe clearance is really only an issue at very slow speed turns, and once you're mindful of it then it's not really a problem.

Are your clips hitting the fender or the fender struts?

As the other posters have pointed out, toe overlap is annoying but can be dealt with. Eventually you get used to it.

It is possible, BTW, to have your fork raked out to give more clearance. This will change the handling of the bike, however, and is rough on paint, so you'd probably have to have the fork repainted. Not worth doing just to get rid of overlap, IMO.

Toe clearance is really only an issue at very slow speed turns, and once you're mindful of it then it's not really a problem.

Are your clips hitting the fender or the fender struts?

The clips are hitting the fender itself. I'm using MTB shoes and clips. When I use clipless the problem is much less. I just like the ability to jump off the bike and walk around. Which is something I can't do in my slippery carbon soled shoes.

Tim

Can you run the fender a little closer to the wheel?