jakerock

Sorry, I am SURE that this has come up before, and I really tried to avoid a new post but frankly either the search function on this forum is pretty bad or I am!


I have fenders on my touring bike, and I have seen some rain while out, but I have never soldiered on very far in the rain. I always look for someplace to duck out...

I would like to put on some wider tires to do trail rides, but I would definitely have to remove the fenders to get a fatter tire on there. I know I have to make up my own mind, but noticed that quite a few of your bikes do not have any fenders and wanted to get some input.

Thanks very much... Jake

imi

I've toured both with and without fenders. If I'm anticipating many rainy days I'll put the fenders on. If I haven't, and get caught by the occasional rainy day it's no big deal.

I have a folded tarp on my rear rack which catches the back splatter, and actually my fuel bottle under the down tube keeps a fair amount off the drive train.
Shoes are going to get wet anyway, so waterproof socks and rain pants protect the rest. I'm progressing to having fenders less and less but miles vary...

Have you considered cutting wider fenders to size to fit around the fatter tires?

Gus Riley

Fenders.

imi

Gibsons.

bktourer1

One day this year on the Bon Ton Roulet, we rode most of the day in the rain and those without fenders wished they had them.

LesterOfPuppets

I do a lot of rain riding without full fenders, just a backscratcher on the seatpost.

I couldn't do it without shoes like this on BMX pedals, though:

Fat tabby

I wouldn't want to do a multi day ride without mudguards. Not so much for when it's actually raining, that might only be for an hour, and you can stand under a tree then. (Or better sit in a pub.) But the roads can stay wet for the rest of the day. Also they don't just keep you drier, they keep you cleaner. What might just be a quick rinse of your riding clothes at the end of the day, can turn into a full on laundry job when you are caked with mud and road grime.

Gus Riley

Like that imi! However, being in context with the subject, shouldn't that be "Gibsen"? And "Fender"?

antokelly

very quick imi les paul

imi

Nope. (n)+1

LesterOfPuppets

I just rinse off the bottom half of my rain pants. Takes two minutes max. Running a backscratcher rear fender, bottom half of rainpants and boots are the only clothing items that get dirtier than with full fenders.

Unless you're off-roading then you can get mud flung everywhere. There are strap-on downtube "fenders" that can help in that regard.

ironwood

Fenders with a mud flap. Most stock fenders are too short, but now the manufacturers are making them better, eg the Longboards by SKS.

Americans are the cyclists most likely not to use fenders probably because the bike boom of the sixties began to a certain extent in Southern Califoria where it hardly ever rains.

bradtx

Jake, What size tires are you using? What kind of terrain for the "trail ride"?

Brad

jakerock

I have 700 x 32c's on there right now.
I am not sure what types of trails I will be looking for, I am just realizing that a bit part of the reason I tour is to get out to the woods.
My favorite ride so far was the first day of my first multiday solo ride which was on the Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail (delaware river), which is mostly hard packed dirt, and the 32c's were just fine on that. I saw the "show us your fat tired bikes" thread and thought that if I made the bike a bit more offroad worthy, it would open up more possibilities for me to be able to stay in the woods, or go deeper in...

I am starting to wonder if I am being realistic thinking that I could ride on any kind of moderate hiking trail with a loaded bike anyway.
Just desperate to carve out a better scene than slugging it out in traffic all day just to crash in some state park when I am in it more for nature / solitude.

Sorry, I digress, but this is what motivated the question...
Thanks to everyone for their time and consideration.

Jim Kukula

People do take bikes with camping gear on some rough remote terrain, e.g.

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/p...id=168054&v=2S

Northwestrider

If you believe there is a chance of rain on your tour, I'd stay with fenders

MassiveD

Fenders.

I like flat narrow, long ones. They catch everything, and don't have a lot of air drag.

Thulsadoom

I'm pretty sure that particular boom is over. Lots of Americans use fenders.

BigBlueToe

I find that putting fenders (mudguards) on my bike before a tour enhances the chances that I won't see any rain.

curly666

Have 3 bikes, fenders with mud flaps on two them, keeps crap out of the drive train.

bradtx

I have 35 mm tires, so not much of a difference to yours and they're fine off road. I ride my mountain bike on some pretty technical trails. I've taken the touring bike to the same areas and it's too large, tires are too smooth and along with the drop bars just not suited for extreme off road fun. The rest of the trails in that area were no problem, including some unmaintained single file hiking paths.

Brad

Aushiker

I prefer mudguards

Andrew

Blues Frog

Fenders.

dengidog

Fenders.

I live in an area where we have rainy season. Even when it's clear, the mud on the road can fly up and get all over everything. Not only is it a pain to wash out of my hair and clean from my bike, it stains (ruins) my clothes.

amckimmey

Fenders.

• Protection from rain
• Protection from puddles after the rain
• Keep your bike cleaner
• Protects from small stone kick up
• You can add more reflective stuff on them
• They just look cool

but the real question is what is your bike? What can it fit now and what do you want it to fit? Clip on fenders, the ones on the seat post and down tube, can always help if you want fenders and clearance.