Bianchigirll 

Check your LBSs and see if they have some (new or used) laying around, look for the old places that used to Schwinn, Takara, and Univega dealers. Take your fingers walking through the internet. Try Niagra Cycle Supply, maybe Bens in Milwaukee or Yellow Jersey.



I have an issue, and I may need to withdrawal my membership from the club, which was actually started on a whim and sort of poke in the ribs at the other 'clubs'. While I have 2 nifty pair of shorty fenders I don't seem to have a bike I can mount them on

The Vento is currently in dry dock under going refit since the Sante' group was sold for scrap. I was planning to build it with some Chorus parts but the graceful arch of the monoplanor brake will not allow me to mount the fenders.

I found an extra set of Alpha 5000 brakes (a DiaCompe model of some type) but they are oddly missing the cable anchor hardware. So now I have to either scrounge around the LBSs and the net looking for cable anchors or new used brakes

The sexy shiny chrome set shown on the above the Equinox is earmarked for the P-3 when she comes due for refit in few weeks for spring riding.

Like Rosanna Rosanna Danna's Grandmother used to say "it's always something"

Velognome 

Simple solution https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...e-part-ii.html

Just remember, Pounds ain't the same as Dollars if you venture onto any UK sites

Bianchigirll 

Been there done that to the tune of about $400

John E

The previous owner of my 1960 Capo had a pair of shorties on it, but he removed them before selling it to me. (He also gave me a pair of newer Campag. shift levers to replace the original bent ones, and one of our C&Vers came through with a nice period-correct set.)

If I recall correctly, they were standard equipment on the Peugeot UO-18 mixtes.

non-fixie 

I can't help thinking they must have served some purpose other than that. All those mechanics can't have been that lazy. How much extra work is removing that last bit anyway?

cale

15551 15552 15553...

Citoyen du Monde

The front brake calipers could be much shorter and therefore stiffer when the front mudguard was divided into two bits, one behind and the other in front. If you instead wanted to use a single piece mudguard you needed to have a longer brake caliper. There is no disadvantage to keeping the front mudguard section on the front only. So to remove it has no sense.

eschlwc

very clean and very beautiful build.

non-fixie 

Thanks for your reply, CdM. I can follow you reasoning regarding the split mudguards, but if you're undoing he mounting bolt anyway, why not remove both ends? Competitive riders are not particularly well-known for having unnecessary bits on their bikes.

I've been searching for some detailed pictures and background info last night, but other than that it was apparently a fairly short-lived fad in the early 1930's, I've not found much yet. It does help to improve my French and Italian, though.

bwilli88 

Here is mine, a bit of a short mid-length.

bwilli88 

iab

First, the fad lasted for about a decade, up until 1943. The Martano picture I posted is from 1932 and the Cinelli picture is from 1939.

To remove the rear portion of the front fender, you need only remove the brake mounting nut as it attaches on the backside of the fork. The front portion of the front fender is mounted between the fork and the caliper. You would need to remove the caliper to remove the shorty. Not that much extra work, but enough for riders in the 30s not to do it.

rhm

Free to a good home: ONE Bluemels "Tour de France" shortie fender.

To qualify as "a good home" you must have a matching fender and pay shipping.

nlerner

Hmm, I think that one was once in my parts bin. Or maybe I have a match. I need to check.

rhm

Well, this one is not from you, so presumably you still have one, in which case you are welcome to grab at this offer. I should also have stipulated that you have to actually want the thing, which I presume lets you out of the running, but lest anyone say they are totally useless, I gather they make the rider eligible for this club.

non-fixie 

Apparently. I haven't found any evidence stating otherwise. It does make me wonder, though, why they started drilling their front calipers to save 0.8 grams or so later on.

I did find pictures of a 1930's city bike with a split front mudguard, that indeed creates room for the front brake caliper. The front part attaches in front of the brake caliper.




Thanks for the additional info, iab.

Velognome 

They actually do work, kinda. My experience in the rain with them is the rear fender keeps the bottom of the saddle dry (important if your riding a Brooks) and it keeps most/some of the water off your back. The front guard is enough to keep the grit laden spray off your calipers and face if your in the drops. Not great coverage, but some in the important areas.

I've got this nifty Bluemels extension tucked away....if anyone's got a 50's vintage lugged frame I could stick it on, I'd gladly pay the postage ( of the frame to me of course )

non-fixie 

That is the kind of reason I was expecting to find. The context of unpaved roads, the goggles, the water bottles over the front wheel, all suggested a very functional reason for this practice. I've planned a trip to Tuscany this fall, maybe I should try and gather some empirical evidence. N+1 beckons ...

bazil4696

Bluemels Tour De France on a '73 Raleigh. They clean up nicely with a wee bit of polish.
They'd look like chrome if I was hanging them on a Harley..heee heee!

bulldog1935

if you can fit them, shorty fenders are better than none - especially good for keeping CP brakes clean

gugie 

Hey, you run wood rims and cork brake pads, you can put any fenders on your bike you want!

jefnvk

Didn't put them on, wouldn't put them on, but they just looked too good to take off!

Ugh, is there any way to post usable pics without using an external host, like the old site allowed?

crank_addict

Funny, I don't even notice them anymore on this '72 Le Champion but dig having. BTW: I forget which one was missing (front or rear) but RHM was the gracious forum member who sent me the mate!

They're called mudguards for a reason. I often ride this one on gravel and single track grass / packed dirt paths. They actually do help in keeping damp dirt from invading the brakes. Also, this bike has toe-overlap and unable to sacrifice any room for full mudguards. In reality and where I ride, full lengths can be a hazard if the wheel sucks in brush or stick.

[IMG]DSC_0137 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]DSC_0138 by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]

bazil4696

I too have an extra Bluemels Tour De France shortie. I bought the ones that are on the bike at a vintage swap meet, having never seen them, or never noticing them before, but once I had a pair, I found another orphan, and snagged it anyway... I looked all over and could not find a "best before" date, so i bought it cheep.
Nice bike, crank! and good grace from RHM is what this love of bikes is all about

Vintage Raleigh

My Grand Prix came with shortys but replaced them with full guards. The shortys are OE and will go on the pending Europa build