Too Much Fender to Tire Clearance
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Bikes: Surly Pacer, Schwinn Le Tour SS, Peugeot PXN-10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Too Much Fender to Tire Clearance
I just installed a Planet Bike 'Hardcore' 35mm fenders on the lady's new Surly Straggler. Due to the Straggler's ample front fork clearance, the bridge on the front fender leaves at least 30mm space between tire and fender. Since the bridge on the PB front fenders is semi-permanent (aluminum, and stamped into the plastic), I need some ideas on how to extend the bridge so the fender sits closer to the tire.
Two other musings: why is it that all Planet Bike fenders never sit quite even, they all seem to have a diabolical twist to them. Second, why do the front and rear fenders never match how far they wrap around the tire (for example, the rear mudflap is at least 4 inches higher off the ground then the front mudflap).
Two other musings: why is it that all Planet Bike fenders never sit quite even, they all seem to have a diabolical twist to them. Second, why do the front and rear fenders never match how far they wrap around the tire (for example, the rear mudflap is at least 4 inches higher off the ground then the front mudflap).
#2
Senior Member
It should be fairly easy to come up with something like this:
Problem Solvers Fender Flute
Problem Solvers Fender Flute
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Vancouver,Washington
Posts: 2,280
Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I just installed a Planet Bike 'Hardcore' 35mm fenders on the lady's new Surly Straggler. Due to the Straggler's ample front fork clearance, the bridge on the front fender leaves at least 30mm space between tire and fender. Since the bridge on the PB front fenders is semi-permanent (aluminum, and stamped into the plastic), I need some ideas on how to extend the bridge so the fender sits closer to the tire.
Two other musings: why is it that all Planet Bike fenders never sit quite even, they all seem to have a diabolical twist to them. Second, why do the front and rear fenders never match how far they wrap around the tire (for example, the rear mudflap is at least 4 inches higher off the ground then the front mudflap).
Two other musings: why is it that all Planet Bike fenders never sit quite even, they all seem to have a diabolical twist to them. Second, why do the front and rear fenders never match how far they wrap around the tire (for example, the rear mudflap is at least 4 inches higher off the ground then the front mudflap).
This bugs me as well. I'm tempted to take a hair dryer to my girlfriends fenders to try and soften then bend them straight. Don't know if this will work.
I see the Problem Solvers Fender Flute has been mentioned, another method is using some scrap aluminum or metal strapping material to fashion a sort of strut to bridge the gap between the fender and where you need to attach it. Some hardware stores sell scrap sheets of aluminum for very little.
#4
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,437
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3137 Post(s)
Liked 1,704 Times
in
1,029 Posts
Hey, I like the Flute! I did the bracet extension thing with a thin piece of rigid metal that just so happened to have a slot in the center and be the right length and width, but that was just a pack rat's luck! It works fine, and the bolts are probably corroded into place from many winters of road salt, so I'm not gonna mess with until it breaks at this point, but had I know of the Flute back then, I'd have happily spent money on one!
#5
xtrajack
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,058
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I used 3 zip ties to reduce the clearance. I used one from the mounting bolt to the hanger on the fender, and one on each side of the fork leg to the hanger. The one from the bolt to hanger reduces the clearance and the ones from the fork legs keep the fender lined up over the tire.
I didn't know about the Fender Flute when I installed my fenders.
I didn't know about the Fender Flute when I installed my fenders.
#6
Really Old Senior Member
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Bikes: Surly Pacer, Schwinn Le Tour SS, Peugeot PXN-10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wow, super helpful, thanks. I spent a few minutes trying to figure out how the flute would work, then I realized that it inserts underneath into the steerer tube. Genius. A little steep at ~$15 so first I'll try to fashion something from the hardware store. Not sure how important the curve is if inserting into steerer tube, but a little trial and error will get me there.
It should be fairly easy to come up with something like this:
Problem Solvers Fender Flute
Problem Solvers Fender Flute
#8
Banned
its only aesthetically an issue .. water cones off the highest point of the wheel, the center ..
I have higher clearance under my mudguards intentionally so sticks and stuff wont be as likely to get stuck .
I have higher clearance under my mudguards intentionally so sticks and stuff wont be as likely to get stuck .
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Bikes: Surly Pacer, Schwinn Le Tour SS, Peugeot PXN-10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Okay, follow-up question. There is quite a bit of clearance between the bridge where the rear fender attaches and the tire, which seems that it would allow more room for water/grit to hit the front crank/drive train. Any solutions to get the fender closer to the tire? Is it important?
#10
Banned
the bottom tip, front edge of the rear mudguard , usually attaches to the Chainstay bridge, by the BB ,
that takes care of the spray coming off the rear wheel quite nicely.
If you have Horizontal front opening rear dropouts , you need space to get the wheel out
though you could let the air out each time ..
if you only take the wheel out to fix a flat with a tight fender line
requires you to wait till the wheel is back in before inflating it again , then.
Vertical dropouts are different. in that regard ..
that takes care of the spray coming off the rear wheel quite nicely.
If you have Horizontal front opening rear dropouts , you need space to get the wheel out
though you could let the air out each time ..
if you only take the wheel out to fix a flat with a tight fender line
requires you to wait till the wheel is back in before inflating it again , then.
Vertical dropouts are different. in that regard ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 03-30-14 at 11:41 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
imabeliever1
Classic & Vintage
7
06-26-15 09:14 AM