Bicycle Mechanics - Fenders on bicycle without eyelets?

I'm looking at purchasing a Globe Roll 8, which is a fixie inspired 8 speed urban bicycle. From what I can gather, the roll 8 does not feature eyelets for affixing guards for wet weather riding.

Is it practical to fit guards to a bicycle without the required eyelets?

There are several brands that do not need eyelets. They have clamps for the seatstays & forkblades.

There are also P clamps - steel wrapped in vinyl - that essentially let you place an eyelet anywhere on the stays or the lower part of fork blades. Bike shops have these.

However, they do trap moisture next to the frame where it can cause rust or paint damage. You'll have to watch out for that with the top tube cable clamps too. They look kind of unsleek.

If you want to mount a rack someday, the P clamps won't work well, as they are a bit flimsy for heavy loads.

An urban bike without fender eyelets seems like a style over substance thing.

An urban bike without fender eyelets seems like a style over substance thing.
+1 I'd prefer more substance for the money.

Looks as if the whole Roll line of bikes is entirely impractical for wet riding or load-carrying. The top-of-the-line Roll Rare has one of those - dare I say it? - silly small and tall front racks.

Specialized has mutated the globe lineup deep into the silly zone. style over substance. bikes for hanging in the foyer of your McMansion.

sad really, I like my 2010 Globe Vienna 02. has fender/rack eyelets, and is a quite decent 3x8 hybrid that were sold at a very decent price.

actually, why not get the Globe Daily 3? thats a 7 speed internal hub, comes with fenders.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/globe/daily/daily3

I'm looking at purchasing a Globe Roll 8, which is a fixie inspired 8 speed urban bicycle. From what I can gather, the roll 8 does not feature eyelets for affixing guards for wet weather riding.

Is it practical to fit guards to a bicycle without the required eyelets?

The fender eyes can be lived without, but double check the wheel clearance at the top of the fork, rear brake bridge, and (often overlooked) the chainstays. You want enough room in all three places to use fenders with the tire width you want. Otherwise, you might have to give up tire width to have enough clearance for fenders.

Looks as if the whole Roll line of bikes is entirely impractical for wet riding or load-carrying. The top-of-the-line Roll Rare has one of those - dare I say it? - silly small and tall front racks.

I looked at most of the models and most looked silly to me ...completely agreeing to the reaction of others here

Suggest the OP might want to shop for that urban / commuter / hybrid bike from a line of products that is a bit better suited to the role / roll.

I looked at most of the models and most looked silly to me ...completely agreeing to the reaction of others here

Suggest the OP might want to shop for that urban / commuter / hybrid bike from a line of products that is a bit better suited to the role / roll.

+1, unfortunately, these days there's a serious disconnect between cool and smart in the bike world. This bike as a good example of that disconnect. This bike is a lifestyle bike for those who live in a dry area, and want to show off more than they want to ride.

To the OP, one tip off to whether the bike will accept fenders, is whether or not the fork and rear end have fender eyes. This isn't bulletproof, so you still have to check for tire/fender clearance. As a guide, you need a minimum of 3/8" clearance (with the tires you intend using). Like Ksisler, I suggest this is a pass and you look around for something better suited to your needs.

OTOH, that Roll Rare 8 is has a Gates Carbon belt drive, and a very sleek looking cro-mo steel frame. Belt drive bikes need a way to 'open' the rear triangle to replace the belt, on that Roll, there's a stainless steel joint on the seat stay just below the brake bridge. that bike has x23(!) tires, and road style brakes, its probably quite a nice ride.

OTOH, that Roll Rare 8 is has a Gates Carbon belt drive, and a very sleek looking cro-mo steel frame. Belt drive bikes need a way to 'open' the rear triangle to replace the belt, on that Roll, there's a stainless steel joint on the seat stay just below the brake bridge. that bike has x23(!) tires, and road style brakes, its probably quite a nice ride.
The last issue of "Buycycling" magazine had a review of the Roll Rare 8 and it is truly rare. Specialized is only making 250 of them at an MSRP of $1750 so it is much more of a fashion statement than a practical bike.

I'm not sure why people are so offended by the Roll 8. It serves it's purpose: a quick, light and nimble urban bicycle with a compact frame (a perk when living in small apartments). It seems to provide the practicality of simple city bikes, with more aggressive geometry. We're not talking touring bikes here. We're talking bikes that need to be frequently carted up and down stairs, in and out of trains, manoeuvrable in traffic.

In regards to the latter posts, I am considering the roll 8, not the roll 8 rare (the latter seems to have attracted more media attention on the net). The roll 8 currently sells for between 6 and 700. Given the build quality, this makes it an attractive package for city dwellers like me.

Mudguards are a point of sale or aftermarket accessory in Bike Shops , for the most part ..

In the US .. there are exceptions..

want mudguards on that particular 8 by 1 bike ?, say so when you buy the bike
and the Dealer will sort out getting it done..

I'm not sure why people are so offended by the Roll 8. It serves it's purpose: a quick, light and nimble urban bicycle with a compact frame (a perk when living in small apartments). It seems to provide the practicality of simple city bikes, with more aggressive geometry. We're not talking touring bikes here. We're talking bikes that need to be frequently carted up and down stairs, in and out of trains, manoeuvrable in traffic.

I don't speak for others, and no bike offends me. I was simply commenting on the difference between style and substance. Not that there's anything wrong with prioritize style over substance if that's what you want.

Many decades ago I had the pleasure of selling a stylish bike to a very attractive woman, who came back a few times for minor fit changes. Eventually she told me the whole story. The bike was for going to Central Park to troll for men. Fit and position were very important because she was spending $40.00 (1968 dollars) on custom made bras, and wanted a riding posture that best showcased her silhouette. (yes, it worked, and she came in with her new fiance about a year later).

I agree that the roll 8, has more substance than the rare which is more style. Don't fool yourself about frame compactness, any difference won't be material as far as space savings goes.

In any case, You first asked about mounting fenders, and (judging from the photo) this bike seems to lack not only fender eyes, but also frame/wheel clearance. If fenders are important to you, or might be so, ask the dealer about mounting them before buying.

Like FB, the Roll 8 doesn't "offend" me but I do consider fitness for service an important part of bike design and choice. The Roll series is positioned as a city bike and, as such, should have some utilitarian features like rack and fender eyelets . After all, what's the downside of providing them? They certainly don't detract from the looks or style and would allow it's owners to do some shopping in a "green" manner. That itself is worth some style points.

I agree. I am also not offended by it - maybe 'disgusted' but not offended.

Wise consumers should speak up with their wallets and let Spec. know that the bike is basically useless in its current form. I don't think 'wise' consumers are the target market, though. :/

Check out SKS Raceblade Long fenders. They have quick release tabs that mount under the brake mounting bolt and under the wheel skewers for the stays. They require very little clearance between the tire and brake caliper and work for most road bikes.

So what is the FB-recommended riding position for showcasing an excellent silhouette? Don't leave us to our imaginations!



Many decades ago I had the pleasure of selling a stylish bike to a very attractive woman, who came back a few times for minor fit changes. Eventually she told me the whole story. The bike was for going to Central Park to troll for men. Fit and position were very important because she was spending $40.00 (1968 dollars) on custom made bras, and wanted a riding posture that best showcased her silhouette. (yes, it worked, and she came in with her new fiance about a year later).

The specs say it has fender braze-ons. They must be on the insides of the fork blades and chainstays.

The bike does not have much tire clearance though, so only the narrowest fenders will work.

The PDW Heavy Metal fenders should fit if you keep to 23mm road tires, but at $120 they are very spendy.

To me "urban" riding says rough streets and I would prefer bigger tires for that (something in the 32-35 range). For a road bike I'd still want to fit a 25-28 under fenders for a little more cush and grip in rainy/gross conditions.

From Sheldon Brown: "Shorter, clip-on fenders are slightly better than nothing, but very much worse than real fenders."


I'm not sure why people are so offended by the Roll 8. It serves it's purpose: a quick, light and nimble urban bicycle with a compact frame (a perk when living in small apartments). It seems to provide the practicality of simple city bikes, with more aggressive geometry. We're not talking touring bikes here. We're talking bikes that need to be frequently carted up and down stairs, in and out of trains, manoeuvrable in traffic.


For $700 you could almost get a real touring bike. An urban bike without room for decently sized tires, fenders, and a rack is not at all useful to me.

You might as well commute on a road racing bike, which would be lighter, faster, more gears, more comfortable on long rides, etc. I see no advantage of the Roll 8 over a road racing bike for commuting, but lots of serious downsides when compared to a useful commuter.

So what is the FB-recommended riding position for showcasing an excellent silhouette? Don't leave us to our imaginations!

This was a difficult sale for me (though enjoyable). I couldn't predict what would be best, so in the end I put her in front of a large glass cabinet which made a decent mirror when the inside lights were off. We experimented and she'd use the mirror until se decide she'd achieved the look she wanted.

I spent a few years in retail in NYC's lower east side in the late sixties, and early seventies, and one thing I can say about those years is that they were never boring. There was no way one could imagine who (or what) would walk through the door on any given day.

This was a difficult sale for me (though enjoyable). I couldn't predict what would be best, so in the end I put her in front of a large glass cabinet which made a decent mirror when the inside lights were off. We experimented and she'd use the mirror until se decide she'd achieved the look she wanted.


Perfect opportunity for "this thread is useless without pictures" if there ever was one!

Perfect opportunity for "this thread is useless without pictures" if there ever was one!

Back then there were so many youtube moments. Unfortunately it was before cell phone cameras, and before digital cameras, when shooting film kept us from trying to record every moment of every day.

Back then there were so many youtube moments. Unfortunately it was before cell phone cameras, and before digital cameras, when shooting film kept us from trying to record every moment of every day.

to which many of us would say, "Phew, Thank Dog!"

muahahahahaahha.

I agree. I am also not offended by it - maybe 'disgusted' but not offended.

Wise consumers should speak up with their wallets and let Spec. know that the bike is basically useless in its current form. I don't think 'wise' consumers are the target market, though. :/

I'm shocked, I tell you, to hear that this bike comes with square wheels. I'll let my Specialized rep know that it's a useless bike with wheels that won't roll.

I'm shocked, I tell you, to hear that this bike comes with square wheels. I'll let my Specialized rep know that it's a useless bike with wheels that won't roll.

Not to trash the bike, but as an example of what I'm talking about when I say style has trumped substance, look at this photo of the Rare (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/globe/roll/roll8rare) and note the hand position and saddle. The grips are too far back for a normal riding position, and suited to a very upright seated position. Except that the saddle is suited to a forward position, and too high compared to the bars for an upright position unless the rider has long arms.

Odds are that anyone who buys this and puts any mileage on it will very soon be switching either the saddle or handlebars and stem.

I'm shocked, I tell you, to hear that this bike comes with square wheels. I'll let my Specialized rep know that it's a useless bike with wheels that won't roll.


Maybe one step above a bike with square wheels, but not too useful beyond that. Although it appears that the specs do indicate it has fender mounts, so I was wrong. My comments apply to any city bike that does not have provisions for rack and/or fenders - such a bike can only be considered a toy or fashion accessory.

Maybe one step above a bike with square wheels, but not too useful beyond that. Although it appears that the specs do indicate it has fender mounts, so I was wrong. My comments apply to any city bike that does not have provisions for rack and/or fenders - such a bike can only be considered a toy or fashion accessory.

I wonder if eyelets are in unusual positions, will it be harder to make standard racks and/or fenders work with them? Another reason to bring this up with the dealer before buying the bike.

Raceblade Longs are nearly equivalent to full fenders and much more effective than the typical clip-on.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sks-race-blade-long-clip-on-mudguard-set/

Maybe I'm missing something - the specs say there are fender mounts: http://m.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/globe/roll/roll8


FRAME: Cr-Mo frame TT/ST/DT, vertical dropouts, brake drilling, fender braze-ons
FORK: Globe uni-crown Cr-Mo fork, w/ integrated cast drop outs, hidden Globe Accessory mounting eyelets


In any case - it has bolt-on axles and thats perfect for fender attachments - used to be the norm. Fender clearance probably needs to be confirmed, but if there's eyelets - there should be clearance.

Maybe one step above a bike with square wheels, but not too useful beyond that. Although it appears that the specs do indicate it has fender mounts, so I was wrong. My comments apply to any city bike that does not have provisions for rack and/or fenders - such a bike can only be considered a toy or fashion accessory.


Give me a break. I've owned bikes that you would consider "not useful" and they have been quite useful. My fixie was ridden solely in the city, had no fenders, no racks, and was extremely useful as a bar hopper. That's all I used it for and would not have wanted anything else in its place. Just because a bike doesn't meet your definition of useful does not make it a useless bike. If the owner enjoys the bike and it performs the intended purpose, then it is, indeed, a useful bike.

Grow up. Other people have different needs than you.

Give me a break. I've owned bikes that you would consider "not useful" and they have been quite useful. My fixie was ridden solely in the city, had no fenders, no racks, and was extremely useful as a bar hopper. That's all I used it for and would not have wanted anything else in its place. Just because a bike doesn't meet your definition of useful does not make it a useless bike. If the owner enjoys the bike and it performs the intended purpose, then it is, indeed, a useful bike.

Grow up. Other people have different needs than you.

You got me. I have also had several bikes that were incapable of mounting rack or fenders and they were fine bikes. They were really only good for recreation, but fine bikes. My current MTB does not have rack and fender eyelets (had to choose between eyelets and disc mount when I had the frame made) and it has been quite a nice bike. Not terribly practical, but fine bikes.

Just a question - what if you were trying to go from one bar to another on your fixie and it had been raining while you were inside? Would you ditch the bike and take a cab, or is going to the bar with a wet arse and a muddy stripe up your back considered fashionable in Michigan?

You got me. I have also had several bikes that were incapable of mounting rack or fenders and they were fine bikes. They were really only good for recreation, but fine bikes. My current MTB does not have rack and fender eyelets (had to choose between eyelets and disc mount when I had the frame made) and it has been quite a nice bike. Not terribly practical, but fine bikes.

Just a question - what if you were trying to go from one bar to another on your fixie and it had been raining while you were inside? Would you ditch the bike and take a cab, or is going to the bar with a wet arse and a muddy stripe up your back considered fashionable in Michigan?
A messenger bag, appropriately placed, took care of any issues.