[blickblocks]

I rode my aluminum road bike all last winter on 28mm slicks and just a rear seatpost mount fender. This year I want to use my fixed gear bike with some studded or cross tires (though I'm not sure I need either on Cleveland's salted out, slushy roads). It's a Panasonic Sport 1000, the geometry isn't too slack but it has a decent amount of clearance (especially with the 23mm slicks and 700c wheels instead of the original 1 1/4" slicks and 27" wheels).

http://velospace.org/files/DSC_0216.jpg

So my parents are bugging me to tell them something they can give me for Hanukah, so I'm thinking of asking for some real fenders. On a bike like this, which fenders would work best with the slicks (I'll leave them on all the time)? If I got some studded or CX tires, would I run into clearance problems? Which fenders should I get?

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[tsl]

I like my SKS P35 fenders. They're much, much nicer than Planet Bike's Freddy Fenders, which I have on last winter's bike. That said, Planet Bikes Cascadia's seem different enough that I'm going to try them out.

My 28mm three-season tires work best in the 35mm fenders. My 34mm CX and 35mm studded snows work in them, but there's some spray out the sides. Wider fenders would solve the problem, which has provided the excuse to try the Cascadias.

As for clearance, your "hard points" will determine that. Between the front brake, the chainstay and seatstay bridges in the rear. Figure at least a half-inch, preferably more, in addition to the diameter of your largest tire, and whatever you need in width.

When I switch tires, I adjust the fenders up or down. I like them as close to the tire as possible to control spray. When I put the larger tires on, they would rub if I didn't move the fender.

Edit: Oh yeah, you're on a fixie. I'm sure there are other concerns with fenders when it comes to horizontal dropouts and changing the rear tire. There's a current thread around here somewhere asking about that. In Commuting maybe?

[CastIron]

Fenders on someone else's dime: Honjo Hammertone.
http://www.jitensha.com/eng/images/newhonjo03/2hmrtnfndrs.jpg
700c studs are x35 and a very generous 35c at that. You'll need a fair bit of clearance. I'd be hesitant to run really nice fenders with studs.

[blickblocks]

Those look incredibly heavy. I'm thinking something from SKS (or whatever the LBS has).

[CastIron]

Those look incredibly heavy. I'm thinking something from SKS (or whatever the LBS has).

Thin gauge stainless. The weight difference shouldn't amount to much if anything.

[blickblocks]

Ended up buying Planet Bike's new "Hardcore" road fenders. It snowed a small bit last night and I decided to buy my fenders today, and Performance was the only thing open on Sunday. I'm happy with them, they're perfect (even if SKS are slightly better). When I get around to putting fenders on my geared bike, maybe I'll try the SKS P35s.

I also got a new BB! Not really sure I needed a cartridge/sealed BB over the original loose bearing, but I couldn't stand how long the spindle was. 125mm spindle with a track crank is an ugly combination.

Oh, and I decided against getting studs or cross tires. I was fine all last winter on skinny slicks, because the roads I go on are only slushy, not really icy or snowy. I should be fine again this year. :)