Touring - Custom Wood Fenders (Bike P0rn)

I've seen several different wood fender variations from several companies (most who are in the Washington an Oregon areas) but IMHO none can beat those at www.Woodysfenders.com who makes such a durable and quality (not to mention absolutely beautiful) product.

They were at the top of my list when customizing my tour bike and since putting them on I have gotten tones of ooos and aaahhs. In fact my business partner (we own a bike shop) insists that I put my bike on the front deck of the shop as it tends to bring people in to check it out. What I am asked most about are about my Woodys and the the top question have to do with the fender's shape as they are not compound curved like plastic ones. There is a company that makes them that way but I believe they are milled and not lamented making for a little thicker and heavier fender which leads me to believe they would probably be more brittle as well.

Up until now Woodysfenders have only been flat but I just got an email announcement from Cody that he is now producing compound curved fenders. I went to have a look and they are incredible! A bit spendy but holy cow they are beautiful! I justify the cost though base on that Woodys is mostly a one guy operation and his craftsmanship and attention to detail are incredible and well worth the price IMHO. Also, for about the same price you can also get them customized with your choice of woods and pattern.

I SOOO want a pair!

http://www.woodysfenders.com/store/images/categories/Townie.jpg

Wood + water = problems.

Gorgeous. If you're doing the leather or hide bar tape and brown Brooks saddle thing—these would be a must.

If they're oiled or finished, water shouldn't be a problem. I expect that they would require some maintenance from time to time.

I appreciate them crafstmanship-wise, , but stylistically, theyre just too dandy... thats my opinion anyway.

they are MUCH nicer looking curved though, this is true. the flatness always bugged me on the others.

Wood + water = problems.

Cody uses finish on them (maybe boat finish?). I live in the pacific northwest and spend loads of time in the very raining wet. Having had mine now for more than a year, I've had no trouble with water damage. And they are very durable. Last summer I shipped my tour bike with the fenders still attached to PA to ride the GAP and C&O. The GAP was dry but C&O soggy soggy wet the whole time. On getting my bike shipped back, my Brooks leather bar tape and saddle were mouldy but fenders were totally fine.

Rule #1: UV + Water + Wood= Problem. If in doubt , see next Rule.

Rule #2: Maintainence = Problem

If still not clear, consult anyone who has owned a wooden boat.

I am on a mission to eliminate all exterior wooden products from my life. Reason? See Rule #1.

bobframe,
I emailed Cody and asked about how he protects and mentioned concers here about how well they last and this was his response:


If your boat is in the water all the time then yea maybe a problem but the fenders are only wet a short period of time. I use a really good quality UV protectant polyurethane that holds up great and have sold these for about 6 years and have still not heard a word about the finish going bad. It's funny how people assume that just because it's a fender that it's going to be submerged in water just like a boat. No.... and ummm no they don't rot. If you buried them in the ground for about a year they might rot but they certainly will not rot on your bike.

I hope this helps
Cheers!

I think they look awesome but I would be too afraid of something happening to them on the road! (stolen, damaged)

I really wanted a pair of his fenders for my dream bike build, but have hesitated because I was not fully sold on the flat fender. When I get back to the build, I will put a set on now. With the curved look, it will be worth the wait and the $$.

Someone please have the mods delete this as my winter bike budget is already tapped......very nice

They're beautiful; too nice for my mountain bike, but boy would a pair look good on a black step-through. I'm planning on buying a folder for some travel this year. Hmmm, my budget is tight this year, but boy, if I can afford a step-through late this year or next year, I'm going to get a set of these.

Ooo yeah, very sexy. I'd love to spring for a pair but they'd look so out of place on my bike as it is right now.

ugly and stupid. get wood out of bikes.

I think they look awesome but I would be too afraid of something happening to them on the road! (stolen, damaged)

I'm with you. If my fenders are to pretty, I won't ride the bike when it's raining for fear of getting them dirty.

Wood + water = problems.

Bob, if they are built correctly, then there is no problem. I've built 2 wooden canoes and a wooden seakayak, and since building them they have required no maintenance. One canoe and the kayak are painted, and the other canoe is varnished. The oldest canoe is 15 yo, , the kayak 12 yo, and the newest canoe is 5 yo. I've never had to do any maintenance to them and they get banged around on rocks and sand. Wood is more beautiful then any plastic or aluminum fender. I'd love to have a wooden bike if I had the skills to build one.

Brian

bobframe,
I emailed Cody and asked about how he protects and mentioned concers here about how well they last and this was his response:



I hope this helps
Cheers!

You are probably right- with only occasional exposure to water and UV (the real wood and finish killer) they probably would hold up. But if someone leaves the bike outdoors for extended periods of time I think the UV and water would eventually break it all down. Of course, prolonged exposure to UV is eventually going to trash the paint on the rest of the bike too.

I wouldn't buy a wooden fender but for someone wanting to make a fashion statement, they'd probably be OK.

I have built and used wooden kayaks and I would have no problem with a wooden fender. If the wood is sealed with epoxy and then covered by a good quality u-v resistant paint or varnish it will last a long time.

U-v is hard on plastic. I have seen plastic fenders disintegrate in a few years. Wood will easily last longer if properly treated.

I would be more worried about it drying and splitting, but again if properly sealed this shouldn't be a problem.

http://www.fastboyfenders.com/fendersthatsold.html