Put real full length fenders with a full front flap on and you bike (and wallet) will thank you. tashi's got it right. I only have to split the rear fender on one bike because I buy/have made bikes that fit fenders since Portland is my home. (The one bike is my road fix gear where I slide the rear wheel much further than fenders can be distorted. It also is very close at the brake bridge when the wheel is slid forward with a big cog.)

Ben