Originally Posted by
Coluber42
The Crud Racer fenders and RaceBlade Long fenders are both designed for bikes with tight clearance. The RaceBlade Longs have a particularly handy release mechanism, which makes it much easier to travel with them or even just put the bike in the car than with standard fenders.
Required or not, if it's going to rain, fenders will keep you much cleaner and more comfortable. Yes, you will still be soaked if it's raining hard, but you won't have a stripe of grit up your backside, it will take much longer for your shorts to be soaked, you'll get less splatter in your face, and your friends will thank you. I know people who refuse to ride with anyone not using fenders unless it hasn't rained in weeks.
I was on a ride a couple weekends ago with several guys and all but one bicycle had fenders installed. As we started out in the morning, the roads were still wet from overnight rain. After getting some tire spray in my face a time or two, I very quickly adjusted my place and space around the sole rider who was fenderless. Because of the practical considerations of having fenders on a bicycle, I have a difficult time understanding why anyone would want a long distance bicycle without fenders. Also, to my eye, fenders have an aesthetic appeal that is not present on fenderless bicycles.
Now back to the original topic: Graupel731, I'm glad to see that managed to find a suitable bicycle. It seems Jamis bicycles are well-regarded and offer great value. Did you happen to get the Satellite Comp or the Satellite Sport? I see the Comp is a Reynolds 520 DB, whereas the Sport is 4130 Chromoly tubing.