PaulRivers: Your concern is noted and appreciated. Snow/ice packed fenders do present an issue that needs be looked after and taken care of. These zip ties are rated to have a 50lbs tensile strength and how much the cold will affect that is unknown. I would think if something put that kind of force on the fender and tire I've got other things to worry about. However I'm not so sure these little zip ties are really going to be a problem if they do break. The simple fact that the fender stays are under some tension outward of the wheel assembly if one was to break the stay will naturally spring out away from the wheel assembly.
fasthair