Pinkbullet3

Hi. I'm a college student who bikes fairly frequently (I live on campus but I like to bike to classes and for fun when I get the time). Here in Minneapolis, the roads are still fairly slushy and I'd like to be able to bike quickly without walking into class with my back covered in slush.

Are there any quality bike fenders (brands?) that you guys use/would recommend or are they all just the same?

(Any preferences in here?)

Thanks.

RunningPirate

Hi Pink -

I have the Planet Bike Hardcore fenders on my singlespeed beater bike. They seem to work fine, but they are a little rattly - that's probably more a function of how they're mounted. Nothing major mind you, just something that I notice when I go over rough surfaces. I have some aluminum fenders on my touring bike, but I can't remember the brand, so that won't be of help...

One thing that I'll defer to the snow belt folks is whether there is an issue with snow/ice/slush buildup underneath the fenders.

Enjoy the ride and bundle up!

JanMM

Yes, get some fenders if you ever ride when it's wet.

1nterceptor

Another vote for Planetbike fenders.
Currently using the SpeedEZ model on my roadbike.
Had their full coverage model on a hybrid I used to have.

CliftonGK1

I like SKS fenders for plastic ones, and Velo-Orange for metal ones. I've got some SKS P35 fenders on my roadie and some V-O stainless steelies on my brevet bike.

PaulH

Giles Berthold stainless steel. No rattles, rust resistant, strong.

Paul

The Big Wheel

try these, and if you don't like them you can just return them

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mighty-Ext...d-Set/13442779

spudston

I would get some with release tab / breakaway mounts. These are designed to release the fender in the unlikely event that something wedges up between the fender and the tire. SKS supplies these mounts and Planet Bike is just now supplying them, with their fenders. If you get PB fenders without them, just ask their customer service and they will send you some. Be safe out there!

Pinkbullet3

Gah, I'm always the one who does perhaps too much research before purchasing things. Is there a major difference between these and these? I have a screwdriver in my bike locker, but otherwise I wouldn't have the means to hack and saw away if the thing doesn't set up properly...

And thanks for all the replies so far.

Irrelevant:
Being in college, I'm so jealous of all of you who have longer commutes (= more biking time on better bikes = more fun, lol). I've done quite a bit of research on cross bikes as commuters [which I would love to own in the future] but atm I wouldn't have the money/time to invest in one.

Bryan0520

The speed-ez are for bikes that have no eyelets near the dropouts. I have them on my cross bike and so far they are working great. They attach directly to your fork and rear seat stays by means of basically rubber straps. The rear fender also attaches onto your break bridge between you seat stays. They are very secure and don't seem to rattle around much. Best of all they keep you nice and dry and help keep some of the road grime off your drive train.

Pinkbullet3

Ahh, I see. I'm also wondering if you guys would recommend 35mm or 45mm fenders for 700c x 25 tires. I know 45mm seems a bit excessive but I was thinking in case I ever choose some larger tires there'd be more room to work with.

spudston

I have the regular Planet Bike Hybrid fenders (not the Speedez). I like them a lot. Mine didn't come with the release tabs, which I recommend getting. If you have eyelets, I think these are the way to go, or get the SKS ones. I have 700 x 32 tires and the 45's are a good fit. I don't think getting these for 700 x 25 tires would be excessive. Better to have fenders to cover your tires than have your tires fling spray all over.

Pinkbullet3

Alrighty, thanks a bunch

blakcloud

I bought the Planet Bike Freddy ATB fenders for a mountain style commuter bike and they work well enough. The good is they come with enough hardware to fit most bikes and they do keep the spray and water off. You may need to trim the fender stays so they don't get caught on your clothes since the rubber ends fall off. My biggest problem is they are to flexible, if I hit a bump they hit the tire because of this flexibilty. Would I buy them again? The answer is no I would go with SKS which I have on my 3 season commter bike. They are 45's for 32 c tires and are much more stable. Though not a fair comparison since they are different size fenders.

In my mind they SKS is better quality but with that said, you can't beat the price of Planet Bike gear. The PB was half the cost of what I would have to pay for SKS.

marmot

I have 700 sized Evo fenders on my Kona hybrid. My LBS installed them for free, and did a great job: no rubs, no rattles or jiggly noises. You'd never know they were there, except you don't get wet riding in the slop. It was a great investment.

CliftonGK1

35mm fenders are a good fit for 25mm tires. You can wedge a pair of 28s under them, but it's a tight fit and you can't really get good enough coverage to stop all the side spray from the tire. For 28 - 35mm tires I prefer a 45mm fender. My V-O fenders are actually 47mm over 32mm tires.

Keith K

I have the Axiom Rainrunner Trekk Reflex 700c Disc Fender on my Giant Seek1 https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...le/2345/32164/. Worked nicely and I like the fact it already has reflective strips.

derekthelion

I have these too, I love them.

mbcharbonneau

Get the fenders with the best coverage you can find. Any set should keep water off of you, but ideally you also want them to stop muck from spraying into your drive train. Look for rubber mudguards that fit a couple inches off the ground from the front wheel.

I bought SKS fenders without mudguards and liked them, until I noticed all the salt and slush hitting my chain in the winter. I added a pair of long Planet Bike Cascadia mudguards and now they're about perfect.

Captain Blight

+1 for PB Cascadias. I believe Sunrise Cyclery on Lake & Bryant has a couple pair in the used bins, you can pick them up for cheap. Might have to order the stays separately, though.

eurycea

I am also looking for fenders for my usual commuter (an '86 miyata 610 w/ 700 x 35s). I have been reading many forums because I too overly research products before purchasing. I am not looking to spend much money so my initial thought was Planet Bike. Although some people like them it seems that the general consensus is that the SKS or Velo-Orange are by far the best. Is it just that the Planet Bike fenders rattle, don't look as good, don't fit as well, break fast, or all the above? The % price increase to SKS from PB is not extreme so you will save money if they truly last longer or aren't so irritating you remove them. So I guess I am asking what makes the SKS or Velo better than PB? Is the price increase worth it in the end? I want something that looks nice as well but I have to balance that with being broke. I should also state that my bike is set up in every way for most standard fenders (eyelets, canti breaks, plenty of clearance, etc).

Also, who votes for hammered and why?

vik 

https://www.bowcycle.com/bikes/blogs/...y-cross-check/

nodachi

I'm sure it's been mentioned already, but I really liked my planet bike fenders. I got a stick sucked up the wheel once and the entire fender folded in half as the stick sucked it all up into the fork. The metal supports bent back into place and the fender part simply sprung back into place once it was freed. I thought they were toast, but not the case. 2 thumbs up.

neil

My household has two sets of Planet Bike Cascadias, and two sets of SKS Commuters. The SKS are sturdier - I believe the plastic is minimally stiffer, and may have a metal core reinforcing it. Both keep the water out of my way, though the longer mudflaps on the PBs are probably nicer to those riding behind me. However, the longer mudflaps made Planet Bike a no-go on one of my wife's bikes, as it's stored vertically with its back tire on the floor. The SKS just fits perfectly, the Planet Bike would get in the way.

Seattle Forrest

Fenders only prolong the inevitable.