Pacific Northwest - New fender choice for road bikes: A review

There is not much out there on line about Giants new fenders. So for whatever its worth here is my brief review.
Giant has just come out with a fender designed for their Defy bikes. I just mounted the fenders on my OCR A1. They mounted easily and fit well with no noise from vibration. I have mounted Plant bike fenders on an OCR before and the Giant fender is an improvement. Its easy to install and has more clearance because of the cut away shape. The down side may be sidewall coverage. They are narrow, which looks good but may allow side spray. I will let you know after a good rain.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_uk/parts/products/zooms/defy_fenders_black.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/rrost54/100_1391.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/rrost54/100_1392.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/rrost54/100_1394.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/rrost54/100_1396.jpg

How does it mount to the seat tube? They look great.

How does it mount to the seat tube? They look great.
It mounts on with the brake bolt. Other fenders I have used needed zip ties because the mounting bracket would not fit "in" the brake, the cut away part of the Giant fender gives you the extra room.

OK, so there is no tie in at the end of the fender at the seat tube. Thanks

Sorry I misunderstood your question. No there is no tie at the end of the fender. The fender is stiff enough to stay in position and not touch the seat tube or tire even on a rough road.

i wonder if a fender with that type of bracket is going to be available from PB or SKS for 2010.

Anybody know which shop is carrying these in the PDX area?

They look good, but isn't the test is how they work in the rain?

Yeah those look awesome - fwiw I know someone with flat (wooden) fenders similar to these and he says there is no spray issue with them.

Any chance of these fitting on a non-Giant bike? I think I remember the LBS saying these only fit on Giants.

I still haven't had a chance to ride in the rain with them yet. I understand It might rain next weekend. I'll repost a report on the coverage.
I bought them at Bike 'n Hike in Hillsboro (local Giant shop). I am sure other Bike 'n Hikes could them if not in stock.
As far as fitting another brand I don't see why they wouldn't. It depend on the reach of the brake not really the brand of bike. I have a LeMond Sarthe that they will not fit. But the Sarthe has less then 5mm between the tire and brake. They could be mounted but the clearance is so tight I am afraid of pine needles jamming up between the tire and brake.

Looks like they could use a flap at the bottom of the front fender to keep spray off your shoes and the crankset/chain. Is there any provision for mounting one and is the fender solid enough to support it?

There is no provision for mounting a flap. But I think the fender is solid enough to drill. It is much stiffer then Planet Bike fenders. They are made out of "impact-resistant polycarbonate" but feel like metal.

I have had a chance to ride in the rain now and they work very well.

Don't let Grant at Rivendell see this. A carbon road bike with fenders might just do him in.:lol:

Don't let Grant at Rivendell see this. A carbon road bike with fenders might just do him in.:lol:

I live in Portland Oregon. Carbon or not you can't stop riding because of a little water.:lol:

Don't let Grant at Rivendell see this. A carbon road bike with fenders might just do him in.:lol:

The new, 2010 Fisher carbon fiber Cronos road bike has fender mounts. Cool video on their website explains it.

Would be a great all weather road bike.

Check these out! 180g per set.

www.crudusa.com (http://www.crudusa.com)

http://www.crudusa.com/images/uploads/rr_basso_logo_1000.jpg

Those look great - I wish they had a closeup showing how they fit around the brakes, fork, and seatstays.

Has anyone used the crudusa fenders and how do they work also what bikes will they fit?

I saw a pair of the new Giant fenders mounted on a Bianchi at Montlake Bike Shop in Seattle the other day. Nice looking setup.

Any reports back on these Giant fenders? I stopped in to pick up a pair yesterday but on closer inspection of them on a couple of the floor bikes, I wonder how we'll they'll work on the 25 tires I run in the winter. Looked pretty close to the sides on the 23s they had on the floor.

Anyone run these with 700 X 25s?

Has anyone used the crudusa fenders and how do they work also what bikes will they fit?

There is a post about it in Road Cycling forum, check it out.

Any reports back on these Giant fenders? I stopped in to pick up a pair yesterday but on closer inspection of them on a couple of the floor bikes, I wonder how we'll they'll work on the 25 tires I run in the winter. Looked pretty close to the sides on the 23s they had on the floor.

Anyone run these with 700 X 25s?

I run 700X25 on my OCR A1 and they work fine. However they are Conti 25's which run a little narrow compared to Michelin. The only charge I could see is adding a mud flap for the front to cut down on the spray on your shoes. If you notice where the pedal and end of the front fender line up, you end up with wet shoes.
The cud fenders look interesting but seem like they are so form-fitted to the tire that one wet leaf will act as a brake.

savvy cyclists run long and wide front fender flaps in the wet season.

savvy cyclists run long and wide front fender flaps in the wet season.

Bek I enjoy your videos! Are you riding the Travelers Check in most of them? How do you like it? You should include a video of just the "steed". Did you build it up? You seem to be able to take on about anything on it, single track, hills and fast roads.

FWIW, I tried putting the new Giant's on my old Trek 2100 running 25s and they wouldn't fit. Not enough clearance between back tire and tube.