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Old 10-09-14 | 06:29 AM
  #21  
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jervboy
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Originally Posted by tsl
It matters a lot. Many bikes don't have mounting eyelets for fenders. Fortunately yours does, at least going by the photo on the Performance Bike web site.

I use SKS P-35 and P-45 Chromoplastics Longboards on both my commuting bikes. Careful on the nomenclature. There are Chromoplastics, there are Longboards, and there are Chromoplastics Longboards. I run the P-35s in the three seasons over 28mm tires, and the P-45s in winter over my 38mm studded snow tires. While all the cool kids buy 'em in black, I prefer the silver ones since they hide the dirt and salt much, much better.

I prefer the plastic because they have some give and don't dent. While I'm as careful as I can be, I still bump them into things. And who knows what happens when it's locked in a rack someplace. They've never broken either. Plus, they're cheaper. About $45 online. I also drilled the rear one and installed a reflector on it.

The key thing about the Longboard length (no matter which SKS fender you buy) is coverage. The Longboards reach nearly to the ground in front which keeps my feet, bottom bracket, crankset, chain, RD and cassette much cleaner, and reach down farther in back to in order to be polite to any other cyclists behind you.

Here they are on my Portland, my bike that's closest in concept to yours. See how low that front one reaches? That's what keeps my feet and the drivetrain clean(er).



EDIT: The one downside to the length is that they pick up leaves easier at this time of year. I get at least one per trip. Noisy is all.
Very nice. What's funny is when I bought my Charge I was looking for something as close to your Portland as I could find. I saw that Portland on Trek's website a bunch of years back and fell in love with it for commuting. Nice bike! Thanks for the input. I really need to decide, I want the coverage but I also want it to be sporty, I don't think I can have both. Your right, my Zester is set up to receive fenders, that's one of the big reasons I am looking to put them on.
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