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-   -   Think fenders make a cyclist feel better about the rain.? (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/93909-think-fenders-make-cyclist-feel-better-about-rain.html)

cyclezealot 03-19-05 11:20 AM

We So Cal cyclists get freaked out about rain..What the heck is that..Another rainy day in SO Cal...Not as bad as the last bouts....At times we have some sun out today..But roads very wet...
Think a cyclists who does not like wet, cold socks....the cold spray...that soaked/cold sensation...filth on the chains/drive train...
think fenders make us feel any better about being uncomfortable...My bike group was to start out a 30 mile ride with a TT...wonder how many went...bet, ridership was down 70%...we insist on blue skies...do fenders help your mental attitude...hate the dirty spray hitting your face...

Maelstrom 03-19-05 11:31 AM

I don't know abut the road, but I will chime in anyways, on the trails I love having a front fender. No matter how big or ugly it stops the mud from caking on my glasses. I don't 'like' my ass being wet but if my glasses get caked I am one pissed off rider.

PWRDbyTRD 03-19-05 11:42 AM

I keep meaning to get some fenders, but I always forget to do it when I'm at the LBS. I commute on my bike, so fenders are a pretty big deal, I HATE going to work with a wet ass. I can wipe my glasses off, but I can't do that to my ass.

iowarose 03-19-05 11:47 AM

Fenders make a big difference to me as a commuter. Here's something else I must have when I ride in the rain - a way to keep my head dry. So I always carry a shower cap with me just in case. To me there is nothing worse than water running down my scalp.

Doctor Morbius 03-19-05 12:44 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Fenders? I've always considered myself more of a Gibson man myself. :rolleyes:

cyclezealot 03-19-05 01:55 PM

I noticed Morbius only has a front fender? Reason we so Cal riders don't get serious about fenders..what we get, maybe 20 days of rain , if that...Just give it up is most of our responses...The subject came up because today is a rainy day here... Fenders...Might help to lessen the spray..
I find the only really effective means of keeping your legs dry...Performance Triflex tights...Rain pants too steamy..Some of my problems of riding in the rain..But nothing seems to work with cold feet...

roadfix 03-19-05 02:22 PM

No fenders for me here in SoCal since rain is so infrequent here. Perhaps same reason why insurance companys don't sell flood insurance here...

cyclezealot 03-19-05 02:27 PM


Originally Posted by The Fixer
No fenders for me here in SoCal since rain is so infrequent here. Perhaps same reason why insurance companys don't sell flood insurance here...

If you are a serious commuter here in SO Cal, you might want some additional comforts for commuting in the rain..That makes you totally serious...I would only put them on my bike I use as a 'city bike.'...

Machka 03-19-05 02:32 PM

I have a love/hate relationship with my mudguards.

I love the fact that they help keep me and my stuff dry, and that other cyclists can ride near me in the rain without getting soaked from my rooster tail . . .

But they can be a huge pain to get set up correctly, and invariably after putting the bicycle together when I've arrived at my cycling destination, the mudguards rub the tire for the first few days.

They've also got this fascinating ability to scare me half to death - when the tires pick up bits of road grime and that road grime runs through the fender, it makes a noise that sounds like the entire bicycle is about to fall to bits beneath me. They also resonate in the wind with a loud hum sometimes when the wind is just the correct angle. The first time that happened, again I thought something was falling to pieces on my bicycle until I discovered what it was.

That said, I don't regret having them, and won't take them off my Marinoni.

Jakey 03-19-05 02:54 PM

Living near Portland Oregon, fenders are a must. Did 30 miles this morning...raining the whole time. I still got pretty soaked, but no racing stripe, and its nice in a group if the other people have fenders...although you still get some spray off most of them, its alot easier to avoid than the wall of water a bike without gives off. Most of the people that do the group rides that I do, have dedicated rainbikes..

operator 03-19-05 03:14 PM

I'd only have full coverage fenders, half fenders, or any of those clip on ones without full coverage are just next to useless. If it's going to be fenders, it better damn well be full fenders.

If I had eyelets on my new roadbike I would slap some fenders on it.

HaagenDas 03-19-05 03:18 PM

Yeah, I've been riding to work in the rain a bit lately and I haven't seriously considered fenders yet. Would probably do it when I get more disposable. Right now if it's raining I wear a change of clothes.

Which brings up the next question. What do commuters do about sweat and body odour? I'd feel guilty as hell if my BO got bad enough to affect my co-workers.

Dougmt 03-19-05 03:38 PM


Originally Posted by PWRDbyTRD
I keep meaning to get some fenders, but I always forget to do it when I'm at the LBS. I commute on my bike, so fenders are a pretty big deal, I HATE going to work with a wet ass. I can wipe my glasses off, but I can't do that to my ass.

You don't wipe your ass**********??
:D

D

HaagenDas 03-19-05 03:43 PM

I wasn't going to mention that Doug for fear of starting off another fierce saddle pong thread. Maybe that's why his spokes keep popping :D

PWRDbyTRD 03-19-05 03:53 PM

very funny wise asses

Doctor Morbius 03-19-05 04:10 PM


Originally Posted by PWRDbyTRD
very funny wise asses

Oh c'mon now. You gotta expect some ribbin' on this forum. ;)

HaagenDas 03-19-05 04:28 PM


Originally Posted by PWRDbyTRD
very funny wise asses

wiped wise asses, s'il vous plait :D :D :D

Blackberry 03-19-05 04:50 PM

When I was in the soggy UK, most of the bikes I saw had fenders (or as they call them, mudguards). Part of the reason is to keep from rain splattering on you. But part of it, at least among club and group riders, is to keep it from splattering on your mates.
Machka could answer this, but I believe fenders are required on Randonnees, probably for that reason.

Blackberry 03-19-05 04:51 PM


Originally Posted by HaagenDas
Which brings up the next question. What do commuters do about sweat and body odour? I'd feel guilty as hell if my BO got bad enough to affect my co-workers.

Baby wipes--no kidding.

HaagenDas 03-19-05 04:54 PM

... two hours later ... I would never have guessed.

Machka 03-19-05 05:01 PM


Originally Posted by Blackberry
When I was in the soggy UK, most of the bikes I saw had fenders (or as they call them, mudguards). Part of the reason is to keep from rain splattering on you. But part of it, at least among club and group riders, is to keep it from splattering on your mates.
Machka could answer this, but I believe fenders are required on Randonnees, probably for that reason.

Mudguards are considered a common courtesy in the UK, most clubs are reluctant to let you ride with them if you don't have them.

As for Randonnees, some events/clubs require them, some don't. They weren't required on the Rocky Mountain 1200 or the Great Southern Randonnee, but they were "strongly recommended" on the PBP, and I think they are required on the London-Edinburgh-London. As for North American clubs, the ones in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon definitely require them. The ones in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, don't require them. I'm not sure about other clubs.

I think it boils down to this: if you'll be cycling in a typically rainy/wet area, most clubs require mudguards.

cyclezealot 03-19-05 05:18 PM

after almost needing fenders this am, the sun has come out here in So Cal...too late..Sure tomorrow will be a fenderless day..
another reason for considering fenders...I do pack up my bike and take it to rainy areas...Like Brittany...Just being prepared...

ollo_ollo 03-19-05 07:25 PM

Northwest cycling requires fenders at a minimum. I added mudflaps to give more spray protection to my feet & those behind. Giles Berthaud leather flaps are available & I found leather belts from thrift stores will make a spray gaurd for 2 or 3 rear fenders. Don

Maelstrom 03-19-05 08:08 PM

Actually my gf's uncle uses a mud flap for the front tire too. Keeps the tire pretty clean.

ollo_ollo 03-19-05 09:22 PM

1 Attachment(s)
That's what I was saying: Giles on front, belt strip on back. Like this one.


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