Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,172
Likes: 6,404
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I think you won't know what you're missing until you get TWO FULL FENDERS. Saying that a short fender is better than nothing is missing the point. Full fenders are no burden to install or keep, and they really are the best.
Also, I couldn't stand knobby tires on the road, only because I grew up riding road bikes. My wife feels the same. Knobby tires are really annoying except on very loose surfaces.