beicster 

Is anybody here using a fender that is narrower than the recommended 10mm wider than the tire? I have always followed that guideline but on my 1984 Paramount Touring I just can't quite make peace with the look of 45mm fenders over the 32mm tires. The largest fender I have found that is not 45 is the Velo Orange 38mm fenders. To be sure, if I get reports that anything less than 10mm larger just won't work, I will get over my concerns about looks, but if other folks have done it successfully, I would love to hear about it.

billytwosheds 

I'm running 28mm gatorskins underneath 35mm Velo Orange hammered fenders. It forces you to keep near-perfect alignment, and even still, standing on the pedals and flexing the rear triangle (on a Carbolite Peugeot frame) will cause some rubbing. Don't ride through or near freshly cut grass. Clogs them up proper.

Going back down to 25mm tires when these wear out.

ollo_ollo

Have several bikes carrying ostensibly 35mm fenders over 28mm tires with no problems & they look ok. However tires on my bikes tend to measure smaller than labeled. Also have a set of 42mm fenders on my Grand Jubile with 28mm tires. Presently heading out to ride, but will add some pics and measurements later. Don

lasauge 

On one of my bikes I'm running narrower fenders over 28 mm tires and they work just fine for the most part, but when riding through long puddles I notice they tend to overflow around the sides much more quickly than a wider fender and I'm liable to get my shoes a bit wet. I might be bothered by that problem it occurred on my go-to bike for rainy days or if standing water was something I encountered more frequently where I live, but neither applies so it's something I'm willing to accept, as the narrow fenders are still vastly preferable to having no fenders.

canklecat

Yup, for awhile I had an old set of SKS Bluemels on my hybrid/errand bike. The fenders were just about as wide as the 700x40 Michelin Protek Cross Max, which actually measure around 700x45. I just set the fenders with plenty of clearance above the tires. Easy with that bike, a mid-2000s Globe Carmel that looks like a cargo bike converted to a cruiser -- lots of room in the frame, huge clearances around both wheels. It looked okay, but I didn't care since it's not a classic bike or for show. Just function.

Then I moved the fenders to my Univega, which required switching from 700x42 Continental Speed Rides to 700x32 Conti Sport Contact II. Not enough clearance to set the fenders above the 700x42 Speed Rides. The narrower Sport Contact II tires fit but I didn't like the ride -- kinda harsh and sluggish -- so it's back to the Speed Rides and no fender. I need to put those fenders back on the Globe errand bike.

Lascauxcaveman 

On my slightly Gugified 1984 Bianchi Limited with fairly tight clearance, I'm using Sunlite 36mm fenders over 28mm Panasonic that measure the full 28mm.

It's tight, but the stay adjusters on these things are the business.






The pinchiest pinch point was under the rear brake bridge; I had to to dimple the fender to make it work, and as you can see, the fender line isn't quite perfect there.

SJX426 

Different size range but I do run oversized tires with undersized fenders.....WHAT?

P1000030, on Flickr

P1000033, on Flickr

P1000034, on Flickr

P1240586, on Flickr

Do they work? Very well. Took a long time to get everything adjusted for clearance and to avoid rub when going over bumps or standing for acceleration. At one point all I had to do is remove one hand from the handlebars and there would be rubbing.

samkl 

I'm running 37mm PDW Road Plus Fenders over 32mm Compass tires, which probably measure a little under 32mm. I know, crazy--but they work just fine. I don't know if it's the shape of the PDW fenders or what, but they just work. They did take a while to install, because the margin of error is much smaller than with bigger fenders.

I also have 45mm Planet Bike Cascadia ALX fenders over 35mm Paselas on another bike, and those seem to redirect water right onto my toes. So who knows?

Bianchigirll 

I never realized there were recommendations for fender V tire sizes. I just thought you put on the widest fenders the frame would take.

I've only used them more for looks.

FBOATSB 

This could possibly make me go out in the rain to measure the VO fenders that came on a 64 paramount with 1 1/8 tires.

Edit: Nope, they measure 45 mm, assuming they measure on the OD. They are currently mounted on my "all steel all the time" electro forged grocery getter with 27 X 1 1/4 tires. I agree with the above that if you can adjust the height and slightly expand the radius with the stays, you can make just about any reasonable tire/fender work.