Fun with rack and fenders!
05-03-07, 08:21 PM
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Fun with rack and fenders!
I just got my Bianchi back from its tune-up at the LBS. I decided it was time to transform it into a full-fledged commuter.
First, attach the rack. It's a cheap Nashbar rack, but it should do the job. I follow the instructions. Then I get to step 6:
Sounds violent, but I do as the instructions tell me. Next:
All my bolts being fastened, I figure I'm done. Rack looks pretty stupid, but a test ride with the pannier confirms it's OK. It's late, and I decide fenders can wait until the weekend.
I wake up at 3:00 AM to the sound of a violent thunderstorm. Great. Wet, nasty roads are guaranteed. I really, really want to ride this bike. I'll get up early and put the fenders on, it shouldn't take too long, right?
For those who know their fenders, these are SKS commuters. I am putting them over 27 x 1.25" tires. It takes me 15 minutes to work the bolt off the front brake assembly to attach the fender bracket. This is going to take a lot longer than I thought. OK, get the bracket attached, time to move onto the stays. Get the bolt into the left hand side no problem, try to attach the right side, and realize that the thread in that eyelet has been stripped. Try another sized bolt, but dont have the nut to fit. Give up and resort to the old standby - the ziptie. Resolve to go to the hardware store later to find a nut and bolt combo that will fit in the bad eyelet.
Completely give up on the rear fender, figuring the rack will work well enough for today.
I did make it in to work no problem, then got caught in a torrential downpour on the way home. Front fender performed admirably, and the rack held up well even after I added a six pack of beer to the pannier. It was a long day.
First, attach the rack. It's a cheap Nashbar rack, but it should do the job. I follow the instructions. Then I get to step 6:
According to your bike to adjust Fiting's position. (It could be adjusted by left and right, up and down, or back and forth)
After find perfect angle and length,please screw Fitting and Fitting Clamp up carefully. Assemle Reflactor Shelf if necessary. Attention: Continually check all bolts be fastened
I wake up at 3:00 AM to the sound of a violent thunderstorm. Great. Wet, nasty roads are guaranteed. I really, really want to ride this bike. I'll get up early and put the fenders on, it shouldn't take too long, right?
For those who know their fenders, these are SKS commuters. I am putting them over 27 x 1.25" tires. It takes me 15 minutes to work the bolt off the front brake assembly to attach the fender bracket. This is going to take a lot longer than I thought. OK, get the bracket attached, time to move onto the stays. Get the bolt into the left hand side no problem, try to attach the right side, and realize that the thread in that eyelet has been stripped. Try another sized bolt, but dont have the nut to fit. Give up and resort to the old standby - the ziptie. Resolve to go to the hardware store later to find a nut and bolt combo that will fit in the bad eyelet.
Completely give up on the rear fender, figuring the rack will work well enough for today.
I did make it in to work no problem, then got caught in a torrential downpour on the way home. Front fender performed admirably, and the rack held up well even after I added a six pack of beer to the pannier. It was a long day.
05-03-07, 09:39 PM
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Yep, fenders are always tricky. Of course, once you have them on, you never have to touch them again. And personally, I love my racks and fenders so much that I think any bike without them looks silly.
05-04-07, 12:06 AM
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Maybe they just went to public school.
05-04-07, 07:21 AM
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HoustonGal:
A tip for the right hand bolt:
Clearances tend to be tight on the right side. Use a nut and bolt, but put the bolt from the inside. That way, the bolt won't interfere with the chain.
A tip for the right hand bolt:
Clearances tend to be tight on the right side. Use a nut and bolt, but put the bolt from the inside. That way, the bolt won't interfere with the chain.
05-04-07, 08:37 AM
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I have a nashbar ascent rear rack that has held up admirably for over 4,000 commuting and touring miles. It's rated for 44 lbs and I have exceeded that limit on occasions with no complaints in the form of rack damage. It was on sale for $14.95 when I purchased it and I am very satisfied with it. I found a set of chrome fenders on a thrift store bike I purchased for $5. They were painted and I figured I could strip the old paint and apply new paint to match my bike. After stripping the paint much to my delight I found perfect fenders underneath!
05-04-07, 09:33 AM
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Hey, that's really nice looking.
My rack is smaller than that, and when I get the support stays horizontal, the rack ends up tilting backwards. (I really wish I could post a pic, but my husband has the digital camera - in Malaysia). The tilt doesn't affect my ability to carry the panniers, but, as I said, it looks dumb.
Also, when I bolted the rear fender to the bottom bracket, it didn't seem to reach around the rear wheel far enough to provide much coverage. I would say the end of the fender reached to about 1:30 on the wheel. I assume this is a function of the older road bike having a lower bottom bracket, but is it even worth it to put the fender on? Or should I look for a different brand?
My rack is smaller than that, and when I get the support stays horizontal, the rack ends up tilting backwards. (I really wish I could post a pic, but my husband has the digital camera - in Malaysia). The tilt doesn't affect my ability to carry the panniers, but, as I said, it looks dumb.
Also, when I bolted the rear fender to the bottom bracket, it didn't seem to reach around the rear wheel far enough to provide much coverage. I would say the end of the fender reached to about 1:30 on the wheel. I assume this is a function of the older road bike having a lower bottom bracket, but is it even worth it to put the fender on? Or should I look for a different brand?
05-04-07, 09:39 AM
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Fenders are a permanent fixture for most commuters here in the PNW. I've seen a few with clip-on quick attachment fenders, but not many.
I know that when I get my next bike (Surly LHT) I'm putting either Honjo or Gilles Berthoud fenders on it, because stainless fenders with leather flaps just scream "awesome."
I know that when I get my next bike (Surly LHT) I'm putting either Honjo or Gilles Berthoud fenders on it, because stainless fenders with leather flaps just scream "awesome."
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05-04-07, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Michel Gagnon
HoustonGal:
A tip for the right hand bolt:
Clearances tend to be tight on the right side. Use a nut and bolt, but put the bolt from the inside. That way, the bolt won't interfere with the chain.
A tip for the right hand bolt:
Clearances tend to be tight on the right side. Use a nut and bolt, but put the bolt from the inside. That way, the bolt won't interfere with the chain.
05-04-07, 02:19 PM
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SKS Commuters tend to be shorter than Cromoplasts or Freddy/Hardcores. It's still worth mounting because it will keep spray out of your front derailleur.
BTW,if you want to have real fun,mount fenders to a disc brake bike.
BTW,if you want to have real fun,mount fenders to a disc brake bike.
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05-04-07, 02:48 PM
#11
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Did you get a set of fenders like in the link?
https://chaingangbikeshop.com/page.cf...and=377&type=T
It appears they vary considerably in the amount the rear covers-
https://chaingangbikeshop.com/page.cf...and=377&type=T
It appears they vary considerably in the amount the rear covers-
05-04-07, 04:20 PM
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Yes, I have the first ones, the commuter in the 45mm. I'm not sure what you mean by "they vary considerably in the amount the rear covers". It looks like they sell different widths, but the length is the same (except for the raceblades) for most of the models. Maybe I'm wrong about that.
They're the same lenth as the ones currently installed on my mountain bike, but the bottom attachment point is much higher off the ground on the MTB, therefore the fender covers more of the rear.
They're the same lenth as the ones currently installed on my mountain bike, but the bottom attachment point is much higher off the ground on the MTB, therefore the fender covers more of the rear.
