Which fenders would you rock?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: pee-dee-ecks
Posts: 318
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Which fenders would you rock?
Just bought a new 2014 Surly LHT 700c and am wondering about fenders.
I was going to do the Velo Orange Zeppelin in 52mm (looks nice and maybe stronger, but could be heavier), but now I'm thinking maybe the SKS's would be better (and less $).
Please leave me a suggestion, or simply which you would rock! Smoochas Gracias!!
I was going to do the Velo Orange Zeppelin in 52mm (looks nice and maybe stronger, but could be heavier), but now I'm thinking maybe the SKS's would be better (and less $).
Please leave me a suggestion, or simply which you would rock! Smoochas Gracias!!
#2
Senior Member
I have used Velo Orange and SKS. I found the aluminum fenders to both look better and stay put better. SKS were both lighter and cheaper, I believe.
Both tend to get messed up if I have have to put the bike in a car. But I feel like the aluminum bends back into place better. It's actually the metal stays that I bend, but the stiffer fender is easier to get back into place.
52 mm is probably a good idea, too, if that's as fat as they come. I went with 48, because that was a good match for the tires I was running, but now I run a 38/40mm tire, and I find the fenders rather tight.
Next time I think I'll ignore the appearance and focus on fenders that will provide full coverage for the largest tire size possible for my frame.
Both tend to get messed up if I have have to put the bike in a car. But I feel like the aluminum bends back into place better. It's actually the metal stays that I bend, but the stiffer fender is easier to get back into place.
52 mm is probably a good idea, too, if that's as fat as they come. I went with 48, because that was a good match for the tires I was running, but now I run a 38/40mm tire, and I find the fenders rather tight.
Next time I think I'll ignore the appearance and focus on fenders that will provide full coverage for the largest tire size possible for my frame.
#4
-
VO Zeppelins are a good match sizing-wise for a 700c Surly LHT or DT. I fit some to my DT. When I got them they were sized a bit too large in radius and a bit too small to accommodate stated tire width. I corrected them by spreading the fender a bit by hand, upside down on carpet, which coincidentally reduced the radius to desired dimension.
VO fenders are pretty sturdy and not expensive for metal fenders. I got my Zeps from a QBP-affiliated internet bike shop who shipped them for free, and sold them at lower price than if I'd bought directly from VO.
VO fender stay mounts extend from the fender 12-14mm once fitted to bike. This can be an issue if fitting VO fenders to a 56-58cm 700c frame, since they will certainly exacerbate any toe-overlap situation. On Zeps it's a double stay mount arrangement, so there's one on each side to possibly hinder sharp turns in either direction. This aspect of the VO fender could be improved. Regardless of this shortcoming VO fenders are a pretty good choice all things considered. I have VO fenders on my 26" bike too.
VO fenders are pretty sturdy and not expensive for metal fenders. I got my Zeps from a QBP-affiliated internet bike shop who shipped them for free, and sold them at lower price than if I'd bought directly from VO.
VO fender stay mounts extend from the fender 12-14mm once fitted to bike. This can be an issue if fitting VO fenders to a 56-58cm 700c frame, since they will certainly exacerbate any toe-overlap situation. On Zeps it's a double stay mount arrangement, so there's one on each side to possibly hinder sharp turns in either direction. This aspect of the VO fender could be improved. Regardless of this shortcoming VO fenders are a pretty good choice all things considered. I have VO fenders on my 26" bike too.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,902
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4802 Post(s)
Liked 3,923 Times
in
2,552 Posts
I don't know the VOs. I like the SKS a lot. I am just using their road width ones so far. I will now steer away from Planet Bike ones because I find that if I put real flaps on the front fender, ie flaps deep enough to really stop water, I cannot stop the vibration. I believe this is becasue they only use one set of front stays and the bracket at the fork crown is attached on the underside and passes through a hole in the vender, making less than rigid at the only secure fastening to the frame. I have pop riveted in reinforcing plates (on their wide, relatively stiff hybrid fender) which help a lot, but still is not as good as an unmodified SKS.
I have replaced all of my Planet Bike road fenders except on my workhorse fixie with SKS. My two bikes with hybrid fenders are liveable but I would not go Planet Bike again. The workhorse is still PB just because it is road width and white, making a rare (and valuable) item for those of us who prefer not to become road kill.
Ben
I have replaced all of my Planet Bike road fenders except on my workhorse fixie with SKS. My two bikes with hybrid fenders are liveable but I would not go Planet Bike again. The workhorse is still PB just because it is road width and white, making a rare (and valuable) item for those of us who prefer not to become road kill.
Ben
#6
Banned
Esge SKS have been what I bought 25+ years ago, they're still Fine*.. 2 bikes they were OEM included
* Used 2 rears on 1 build, to have a fuller wraparound on the front.. ..
* Used 2 rears on 1 build, to have a fuller wraparound on the front.. ..
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1182 Post(s)
Liked 833 Times
in
435 Posts
Regardless of the brand, get a set with the quick release safety mount for the front dropouts. SKS has them as standard issue. They could save a lot of grief if you pick up some road debris between the front fender and wheel.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Baltimore, Md.
Posts: 172
Bikes: Salsa Casseroll, Salsa Pistola, Surly 1x1, All-City Nature Boy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
VO fenders are the bomb. I have beat mine to absolute death and they still perform well. I ride my cassenroll off road on gravel trails/roads and they just plain take a beating. Cant go wrong with them.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,201
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3459 Post(s)
Liked 1,465 Times
in
1,143 Posts
I prefer plastic fenders. I have several different brands on different bikes. On my 700c LHT, the Zefal fenders I put on 10 years ago are still holding up just fine, although a bit more scratched up. I think they are 45mm wide and I use tires up to 37mm wide.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: pee-dee-ecks
Posts: 318
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks you all for the comments! I thoroughly appreciate all of your thoughts!
Anyone know if the VO Zeps are significantly more weight than sks's?
I hate making decisions....
Anyone know if the VO Zeps are significantly more weight than sks's?
I hate making decisions....
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,150
Bikes: 2013 Surly Disc Trucker, 2004 Novara Randonee , old fixie , etc
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 671 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
43 Posts
WoodysFenders.com produces awesomely beautiful bamboo/wood fenders. They are so kewl-looking I swear random folks would offer to let you stay at their house.
#13
Senior Member
I have VO fenders and I like them a lot. Mounting them was a bit of a challenge, but I maxed out on tire size (actually exceeded the recommended size by 2mm), so I didn't have much room for error.
#14
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,505
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4348 Post(s)
Liked 3,985 Times
in
2,661 Posts
Planet Bike Cascadias all the way. Reasonably priced, well made, durable, easy to install and they do their job quite well.
The only reason I wouldn't go with Cascadias is if I was going with a set of the fancy wood fenders like DropBarFan (a really bad idea for a fan even with those aero drops). However they are quite a bit more expensive but hand made and classy as all get out.
The only reason I wouldn't go with Cascadias is if I was going with a set of the fancy wood fenders like DropBarFan (a really bad idea for a fan even with those aero drops). However they are quite a bit more expensive but hand made and classy as all get out.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1182 Post(s)
Liked 833 Times
in
435 Posts
I do a combination: I use SKS fenders with Planet Bike mud flaps. $6.00 for a set including shipping. I started doing this when I had SKS on all our bikes, and wanted to put mud flaps on them. They look and fit good.
#17
Senior Member
When I ran fenders I used the Planet Bike Hard Cores and like them pretty well, but have since stopped using fenders. I decided that for me on most tours fenders are more of an annoyance than a help.
I would suggest that you consider whether you need fenders at all. I have done some long tours both ways and have found that I was happier without them even though every tour seemed to have a few days of rain.
I would suggest that you consider whether you need fenders at all. I have done some long tours both ways and have found that I was happier without them even though every tour seemed to have a few days of rain.
#18
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 380
Bikes: 2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8Pro, 2022 Specialized Epic Evo, 2021 Framed Alaskan Fatbike,2019 Trek Emonda SL6 Pro, 2018 Trek Stache 9.7, 2013 Specialized Roubaix SL4 Expert, 2009 Ritchey Breakaway Cross, 2016 Lynskey ProCross, 2008 Trek T1000 Tandem,
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,150
Bikes: 2013 Surly Disc Trucker, 2004 Novara Randonee , old fixie , etc
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 671 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
43 Posts
Planet Bike Cascadias all the way. Reasonably priced, well made, durable, easy to install and they do their job quite well.
The only reason I wouldn't go with Cascadias is if I was going with a set of the fancy wood fenders like DropBarFan (a really bad idea for a fan even with those aero drops). However they are quite a bit more expensive but hand made and classy as all get out.
The only reason I wouldn't go with Cascadias is if I was going with a set of the fancy wood fenders like DropBarFan (a really bad idea for a fan even with those aero drops). However they are quite a bit more expensive but hand made and classy as all get out.
#20
Senior Member
I'm enjoying my Gilles Berthoud fenders (on my Surly Ogre) and originally saw them on a Long Haul Trucker which was part of the inspiration.
I think this was the one:
"https://s18.photobucket.com/user/e_merlin/media/LHT/P1000165.jpg.html"
I even added the Velo Orange Pass Hunter front rack, so appeasing to my eye the package.
I think this was the one:
"https://s18.photobucket.com/user/e_merlin/media/LHT/P1000165.jpg.html"
I even added the Velo Orange Pass Hunter front rack, so appeasing to my eye the package.
#21
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,528
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3664 Post(s)
Liked 5,410 Times
in
2,748 Posts
I recently put the SKS longboards on my Gunnar. They are really long! They kept me and the bike pretty clean in the rain. Installation was not difficult but it took awhile to get an even fender line. The overall quality seems to be pretty good, they don't rattle or move around. The length in front prevents use of a fork mount carrier.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1182 Post(s)
Liked 833 Times
in
435 Posts
Notice how clean the chainwheel is clean even though the fender is jammed with mud. Planet bike mudflaps on SKS
Last edited by Doug64; 06-21-15 at 05:21 PM.
#23
-
VO Zeppelins are so long you can perhaps get by without mudflaps (see attached image).
Note the protrusion of the stay mounts on this 56cm Surly DT frame - sticks out right where your shoe toe can whack it in tight turns (the VO Fender Toe Overlap Confirmation Device).
I have long considered refitting these fenders with hardware from Portland Design Works fenders. PDW makes a break-away safety clamp like the SKS device in #7 , which would probably fit VO stays, or could be made to with sand paper. PDW also makes a lower profile stay mount which would give more TO clearance, but unfortunately would leave two holes in each fender to patch/hide, somehow (duct tape or similar). It's too bad PDW doesn't sell wider 700c fenders (45mm / 28-35mm tire max).
https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/spare-...mf-safety-tabs
https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/spare-...-hardware-pack
Note the protrusion of the stay mounts on this 56cm Surly DT frame - sticks out right where your shoe toe can whack it in tight turns (the VO Fender Toe Overlap Confirmation Device).
I have long considered refitting these fenders with hardware from Portland Design Works fenders. PDW makes a break-away safety clamp like the SKS device in #7 , which would probably fit VO stays, or could be made to with sand paper. PDW also makes a lower profile stay mount which would give more TO clearance, but unfortunately would leave two holes in each fender to patch/hide, somehow (duct tape or similar). It's too bad PDW doesn't sell wider 700c fenders (45mm / 28-35mm tire max).
https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/spare-...mf-safety-tabs
https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/spare-...-hardware-pack
#24
cyclotourist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: calgary, canada
Posts: 1,470
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Liked 205 Times
in
130 Posts
Honjo hammered aluminum!
No, I d use a plastic fender as it is just easier to deal with if you have to manipulate it.
Although people who ride in rain a lot say metal fenders are better.
No, I d use a plastic fender as it is just easier to deal with if you have to manipulate it.
Although people who ride in rain a lot say metal fenders are better.