Velo Orange Stainless Steel or Hammered Aluminum fenders?
 

I've had my cross-check for one year now and I'm ready to add some fenders to my commuting beast.

The question is, should I go for the stainless steel or hammered aluminum velo orange fenders?

Or is there another brand around the same price that is better?

Hammered or not hammered is a style question for you to answer. I don't think there is steel offered. The aluminum is very nice.

If not hammered, there are aluminum and steel options. Weight weenie or more corrosive environment, pick aluminum (and ditch your CC). Otherwise, steel is real.

I have Giles Berthold stainless steel fenders. http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/berthoud.asp
They have the same durability as the OEM fenders they replaced, but are much more resistant to corrosion. You can mount things like tailights to them, and they are sturdy and rattle-free, unlike plastic and aluminum ones.

Paul

Steel fenders scream old school to me, maybe because my '73 Schwinn Varsity has chrome fenders. I would go with hammered. But it's mostly a personal preference.

I have the Honjo smooth fluted fenders from V.O. on my commute bike - i have been quite happy with them, they look great, and are long so they work very well too.

I have 2 sets of the VO smooth fenders (45mm steel when I'm running 35mm tires and 37mm aluminum when I'm running 28mm tires). The weight difference really is not noticeable when you're holding both in your hands. The build quality and finish of both are great, and I'm sure the hammered set is just as good. I'd recommend the steel version because the weight difference is not that noticeable, and they are advertised as more durable.

The only things I hate about the VO steel fenders is that they rattle a bit and they were a pure PITA to get set up correctly. Next time I might be tempted to go SKS.

They do look nice though.

My hammered Honjo fenders from Velo Orange just arrived the other day. I'll probably install them on my Cross Check this weekend. I elected to go with hammered because I wanted a more sporty look. I went with Honjo because I liked their hammered pattern better than Velo Orange's. They came pre-drilled and with all the hardware, so I hope the PTA stories about installing them don't apply!!