Winter Cycling - Fenders, Teach me

I have looked at a lot and the prices seem to change a lot. So I need help on what would be best for budget

College kid, not a lot of income
winter beater is a 1991 Haro Impulse MTB, has a front suspension fork
I commute no less than 27 miles(round trip)

I will only use this bike on snow, snow run off days.

Thanks

I have looked at a lot and the prices seem to change a lot. So I need help on what would be best for budget

College kid, not a lot of income
winter beater is a 1991 Haro Impulse MTB, has a front suspension fork
I commute no less than 27 miles(round trip)

I will only use this bike on snow, snow run off days.

Thanks

For Denver, don't worry too much about it. It's not hardly worth the investment.

If, however, we have a winter like 2006, I'd suggest cobbling something together that will give you better coverage with less clogging than a complete fender set. Snow clogging the fenders is probably the worst you'll have to deal with so you want lots of room.

Start with a simple deflection fender (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=1237&subcategory_ID=6700) on the down tube like this

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/00-2331-BLK-FRONT.jpg

It's pretty useful for keeping water and mud from flying off the wheel and up under your chin.

Add a shock fender (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=5997&subcategory_ID=6700) that has more room and won't interfere with the operation of the shock

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/40-0469-NCL-FRONT.jpg

Then add a fender for the rear wheel (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=5998&subcategory_ID=6700) or a rack with a solid deck.

Here's what I put together using the SKS Shock Board and a set of Planet Bike fenders. It has more clearance and better coverage than a regular set of fenders. It also mounts and dismounts in seconds.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/IMG_0174.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/IMG_0282.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/IMG_0279.jpg

I used a part of the front Planet bike fender to extend the rear to cover the derailer...which is probably the most vulnerable part of your drivetrain.

Do those shockboards really do much?

Does that front really do much?

Do those shockboards really do much?

Amazingly, yes. Added to the splash guard under the downtube, the whole bike is pretty dry. It won't keep a lot of water off your feet but I wear some kind of shoe cover in the wet anyway. For cold weather, usually neoprene boots.

Hmmm.... might be worth looking into thanks!

Not sure what your budget is for fenders. You didn't specify how much you can spend. I recently bought a set of Planet Bike Freddy Fenders for my recumbent. The front, for a 20" wheel was $19.99 and the rear, a 26" wheel was $29.99. I did not thnk that was too much to spend. I know others have not mentioned and do not think they will, but a rear rack, like the ones yo usee in some of the photo's does not a good rear fender make. In fact they suck as a rear fender.

I know others have not mentioned and do not think they will, but a rear rack, like the ones yo usee in some of the photo's does not a good rear fender make. In fact they suck as a rear fender.

I have tried, and failed, with the "rear rack is a fender". Just doesn't seem to work all that great. STILL end up with the much dreaded "Skunk Streak". I'll opt for a decent set of Freddys' and add a mudflap on the front AND rear. Just seems to help for that extra splash. Also, where in the heck are you riding, if you are commuting and your fenders get clogged???? Evidently you're not paying attention to where you are going. I have had mine clog once and that was because I had to dodge some idiot that was sliding......

Also, where in the heck are you riding, if you are commuting and your fenders get clogged???? Evidently you're not paying attention to where you are going.A MUP that has not been plowed yet, for example. That said, clogging is not much of a problem for me. I use full cover SKS fenders. They require LARGE added mudflaps to work properly in slush / salt etc. Especially in the front, a good sized front flap helps to keep the drivetrain and bike clean.

--J

I've had pretty bad clogging on front freddy fender during that transition period between summer and winter where it's hotter then about -10 so everything is always wet. As seen in this drawing, lots of heavy damp snow pushes the fender up and out making wedge just before the fork. It then gets compacted there and the effect is like riding against the brake, so you have to kick it out every few meters while riding.

Cascadia fender adresses this by having a second fenderstay, the fender can be ajusted so it only gets wider along the wheel's course.
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1604/frontfreddyjp0.png
The rear freddy fender never clogged up, thankfully it has two fender stays that allow it to be ajusted properly.
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2619/rearfreddytr3.png
I'm definitely going to be looking out for this next time I buy fenders.