Commuting - Fenders on my '07 Rockhopper?

I've been converting my '07 Rockhopper Disc (http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2007&Brand=specialized&Model=Rockhopper+Disc&Type=bike) to a commuter, and now with the rain here, I need some fenders. I heard good things about the SKS Chromoplastics, so I picked up a set, only to find out that I don't have any of the mounting points for fenders. (I've never had fenders on a bike, so I didn't know what to look for in the first place).

If I'm going to continue commuting through the wet months (here in the South SF Bay Area is typically October - April), I'm going to need fenders. Should I just get another bike to use as a commuter? Should I somehow rig the fenders on using cable ties, some kind of metal strapping, etc.? Should I drill into my bike frame and make the mounting points myself? Presumably, all I'd need is a drill press, drill bits, a vise, and a tap & die set...all of which I have. The only problem I see with this is the fork - it's a Rock Shox Dart 3, and I don't see anywhere I can mount, or even drill to mount the fender support bars.

Any suggestions?

There are quite a few products for mounting fender on bikes without the mounts
e.g.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Fenders

I actually have the DeFender FX. It's kinda ugly and doesn't provide great coverage but it does fit on my suspension fork.

There are quite a few products for mounting fender on bikes without the mounts
e.g.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Fenders

I actually have the DeFender FX. It's kinda ugly and doesn't provide great coverage but it does fit on my suspension fork.

Unfortunately, that won't work for me. I've got these to deal with:

http://www.topeak.com/mediafiles/products/4124/
http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/ExplorerTubularRack_discMount

http://www.topeak.com/mediafiles/products/61/
http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/MTXTrunkBagDXP

My commute is 20-24 miles round trip - depending on the route I take. I've got a bad back, so wearing a backpack isn't an option. I have an office job, so I need to bring a change of (dry) clothes.

I know with my rack and trunk on I get very little spray on me from the rear wheel. I am looking into fenders as well for my bike though due to comutting through the winter months to help protect the drive train

Don't drill the bike frame. For my rockhopper I put a starnut in the bottom of my steerer tube to hold the front fender. For the rear fender with rack, get some plastic house siding and cover the bottom of the rack and extend it out the back. I also put a 3" wide strip on the back of my seat tube, tapering down to the bottom bracket.

Don't drill the bike frame. For my rockhopper I put a starnut in the bottom of my steerer tube to hold the front fender. For the rear fender with rack, get some plastic house siding and cover the bottom of the rack and extend it out the back. I also put a 3" wide strip on the back of my seat tube, tapering down to the bottom bracket.

I'd love to see photos, if possible. If you don't want to upload them to the site, feel free to e-mail me: chrism2097 at yahoo dot com

Thanks for the tips.

Yup, don't drill the frame. Drill/cut the fenders instead.
I was able to mount fenders on my commuter by using zipties and some drilling.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa87/DVC45/IMAG0048.jpg


The star nut idea under the steerer tube is brilliant!

I had minor difficulties with my '02 Norco Bigfoot and Planet Bike Cascadia fenders. The front fender was designed to be screwed to the front fork but my Rock Shox had no such thing but I was able to zip tie it quite securely. The back was fine.

Look at Planet Bike SpeedEZ ATB fenders. For ATBs that lack eyelets.

I've got the same problem with a bike I just ordered fenders for. My solution was to order some of these (http://www.terracycle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=T&Product_Code=AccmtClamps&Category_Code=Acmts) in the appropriate sizes. Fenders and clamp/mounts are making their way here in the mail, so I can't attest to how effective either turned out to be quite yet.

If you'd like, I'll post up the results here in a week or so. Unfortunately, the fenders arrive tomorrow while my clamps arrive late next week. :notamused:

these type of clamps are used also. some pictures found
they can be found locally at a automotive parts, hardware, and home improvement stores.
also used to help mount racks.

notes:
“cushioned metal loop straps” aka p-clamps

using a cloth ruler tube circumference (distance around) is. use this p-clamp size

2.0” or less = 5/8”
2.4” or less = 3/4”
3.1” or less = 1”
3.9” or less = 1-1/4”
4.7” or less = 1-1/2”
5.1” or less = 1-5/8”

.

these type of clamps are used also. some pictures found
they can be found locally at a automotive parts, hardware, and home improvement stores.
also used to help mount racks.

notes:
“cushioned metal loop straps” aka p-clamps

using a cloth ruler tube circumference (distance around) is. use this p-clamp size

2.0” or less = 5/8”
2.4” or less = 3/4”
3.1” or less = 1”
3.9” or less = 1-1/4”
4.7” or less = 1-1/2”
5.1” or less = 1-5/8”

.

That looks like the perfect solution for me. It ain't pretty, but it'll work great.

Thanks a bunch for all the great suggestions!

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/acr_photos/2011-09-16_14-46-59_75.jpg SKS shockblade fenders. Im running them on my 2010 Specialized Rockhopper Comp disc. They work great. I drilled out holes in them and zip tied them on in addition to the quick attachments for added theft deterrent and to ensure they don't work loose and fall off. Im using a an SKS "mudguard " zip tied underneath
u Topeak mtx rear rack. Hope this helps! Nice bike choice, btw!