thiocyclist

I was really disappointed in the performance of VO hammered alloy fenders on the front of my Salsa Vaya. The front fender rubbed the tire and make vibrational noises when braking despite trying to adjust it as best possible and making sure the L bracket was fully tight. Do you have any suggestions about better fenders or whether the LBS that installed these for me actually did it wrong? I noticed they put the L bracket inside the fork crown attached to the rear side, whereas I normally install fenders outside the crown and in the front just behind where the V brake attaches. (Of course there is no V brake on this bike, but there is a mounting hole.)

GovernorSilver

Sounds like you got tires too wide for the fenders you chose. You may have to either switch to narrower tires or switch to fenders with more clearance.

While doing my own research on the Vaya and other bikes, I came across this blog entry - author is/was using Handsome Cycles Mud Butlers.

Tech Tip: Fenders | GRAVELBIKE

MileHighMark

Do you have any photos of your setup? I've run several different fenders on my Vayas, and didn't experience the problem you describe.

Tim_Iowa

SKS Chromoplastic (P-series) fenders have more clearance than VO's because the hardware does not protrude inside the fender. So, you can run a wider tire under the "same width" fender.

I used to have P45 fenders on my Rivendell (until the rear one ate a stick). The 45 mm VO "hammered" fenders I replaced them with were much tighter over my 38 mm tires, and took longer to get totally secure.

If you go with SKS fenders, I recommend that you add another pair of "secu-clip" quick releases to the rear fender to prevent a mishap like mine. The front fender already includes these clips, but not the rear (they are available separately).

MileHighMark

Also, while the 52mm VO fenders do fit on the Vaya, expect some contact on the inside of the fork blades and seatstays. A 50mm fender is about the biggest that fits the frame/fork with room to spare.

thiocyclist

It wasn't that the fenders are too small, I am familiar with how that is. In this case the front fender had too much freedom to move around starting at the fork crown. Looking at the VO instructions cross-posted on Gravel Bike (direct link here) Velo Orange, my LBS did it wrong... Instead of putting the L bracket in front of the fork they put it inside. However I think I understand why they did this as, without a fork-mounted brake lever, I am not sure what sort of hardware I can use to mount the L bracket to the front. I would like to do something like on my Windsor Oxford which has a long bolt that traverses the whole crown. But I don't know how to find parts like this for a Vaya.

thiocyclist

If anyone can recommend an appropriate daruma bolt for the Vaya fork I can probably take it from there.

MileHighMark

A daruma isn't necessary. Take a look at this photo:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/justri...g/18713191013/

thiocyclist

Thanks MHM. That setup is remarkably similar to how my LBS did it (L bracket attached to the back of the crown, though it was hidden inside) except there was no front stay/bracket to keep the fender aloft. Hence the flopping around and noises. How would I go about getting that second bracket and could it work for my hammered alloy fender? I don't think there is that fourth 5 mm bolt attachment like there appears to be on your VO-looking silver fender.

MileHighMark

VO sells the stays/hardware separately. I drilled a hole in the center of the fender and mounted the additional stay using one of the VO bolts.

BTW, I am gravelbike, so you can always reach me via the site/blog.

thiocyclist

Thanks. Any reason not to try a daruma bolt first? The reason I ask is I've already ordered one from VO, so I'd have to cancel the order at this point if I'm going to make a change of plans.

MileHighMark

Give the daruma a try first. Just curious, didn't your VO fenders come with one?

thiocyclist

Hm, no. But the LBS ordered and installed them. I wish they had told me they had it when I complained about the noises from the front fender, but they just told me to live with it as is, basically.

MileHighMark

If you need one, and haven't ordered one, let me know (I have a spare).

thiocyclist

Thanks, that's very generous! However I did order one last night and it just shipped. I appreciate the offer.

thiocyclist

Got the daruma bolt and it looks great; however it occurred to me that I need a "faux brake bolt" to mount it to. I measured and I need something with mounted dimensions of about 5.5 mm dia. by 30 mm length. Think Salsa would supply such a thing? I have sent them an e-mail about it... *fingers crossed*

MileHighMark

A standard metric socket cap bolt is all that you need. Any decent hardware store will have them. Some nylon washers on either side of the fork/crown will protect the paint, and a nyloc nut will keep everything secure.

thiocyclist

Oh, I was afraid the threads would bite into the crown a bit. But not so? Thanks for the tip!

MileHighMark

I've never had that problem. The bolt really doesn't do much except act as a "hanger" for the daruma.

ginacico

Ding ding ding! You've provided a solution to a question that has vexed me for awhile.

I put VO Zeppelin fenders on my Vaya Travel. They look spectacular, but because it has chunky Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires on it, the clearance is tight, especially at that bolt underneath the fork.

I live within range of the VO shop in Annapolis, MD. One of these days I'll take it out there and get an extra stay/hardware. Those guys like to fuss with customizations, maybe we can even install it there.

To be clear, do you have nothing that attaches the fender at the fork, just the two stays?

MileHighMark

Front fender has the standard stays, an L-bracket at the back of the fork, and the second set of stays that I added to the front of the fender.

ginacico

Gotcha. It's actually the fork mounted L-bracket that's causing interference on mine. Any bolt protruding beyond the depth of the nut on the underside of the fender starts to graze the big tires. I also have to make sure the side edges are splayed just so, or I'll get vibration noise.

The second stay might be an option. But I'm thinking that 40mm tires and fenders might just be pushing the limits of my clearance. I can tweak it into submission when it's really necessary, but for right now I'm just riding with the front fender removed.

Thanks for the clues!

MileHighMark

You may want to consider plastic fenders instead. The 52mm VO fenders fenders make contact with the fork/stays unless you squash them slightly, and that results in less tire clearance. An SKS P50 is probably the widest fender that will clear the frame/fork and still accommodate a decent-sized tire.

I'll see if there's anything new at Interbike next week.

thiocyclist

What size tires do you run on your Vaya? I am thinking the 42 mm tires on mine are only just barely VO compatible, and only if you "hold your mouth right" (that's some kind of old timey mechanic's expression for precarious situations).

I got the daruma bolt by the way and it is way better than the L bracket mount. However it would not help giancico's problem. As far as the tires, I may just size down to 28-32 mm or thereabouts to save myself some stress.

MileHighMark

I alternate between 38mm Compass Barlow Pass and 38mm SOMA C-Line tires. The former measure 38mm on 25mm rims, whereas the latter are closer to 36mm wide.