I am trying to fit a set of Velo Orange hammered fenders and need to spread the sides of the fenders so that they can better follow the curve of the tires. Those fenders are pretty sturdy and inflexible, so I'm hoping someone has some hints for how best to do it. I was thinking of making a wooden wedge that I could push through the fender to spread the sides, but if anyone has a good method, let's hear it. Thanks

I've done that just as you described: shaped a piece of hard wood and ran that inside the fender a bunch of times. Worked reasonably well.

Thanks!

non-fixie , your tool?

Wood block sounds like a good idea, but have always done it by hand. Have always needed to spread AND narrow in spots to get a nice fender line. Most recent effort, Honjo smoothies.

Push and Roll a tennis ball over the inside of the fender. It evens the pressure and won't scratch.

For changing a fender's radius I have always used my fingers. The tool I assume you're referring to (actually Nemosengineer 's tool ) is used to make indents in the sides of the fender where it passes stays and fork blades that are just a bit too close together.

Speaking of fingers, I could do that on light weight Honjo fenders but those VO fenders are pretty darn stiff.

I’ve got some VO fenders on order and Id love to see pics of your install.

Done a few installs already. Here are a couple with 700c x 32 tires. The bike I am working on now does not have a lot of room to work with, so I need everything to be very precise.

I have three bikes with Velo Orange fenders. The fenders are well made and take a licking, but its the hardware that makes Velo Orange my preferred metal fender. After ignoring it on my first and second installation, I used a part that is called a a daruma or fork crown eye bolt. It made the installation easier to attach the fender to the fork. Also worth noting is that you can get individual pieces of hardware from VO if needed. Even if it is for non-Velo Orange fenders.

Schwinn Continental with VO Stainless Steel fenders.

While I don't specifically remember shaping the fenders, I'm sure I did. All massaging of the fenders were done by hand. It is a pretty tight fit. Pebbles usually make the trip all the way around the fender. Sticks break when they get into the fender.

The other two bikes have VO aluminum fenders.

When I changed the width of a set of mudguards, it was to change the wheel they would fit (they were too big).
And as far as I know, that relationship is unbreakable.
How are your fellows making them wider without changing the radius?

Hammered VO on this Continental.
I have smooth ones on an XOXO, where I also used some dehorned stay to fender hardware.



Skateboard truck bushing used as a mount spacer here and as well, on the rear reflector.

Thanks for the pics!

That's the point - I need to enlarge the radius so they fit better around the tire. As it is now, the ends of the fender rub the tire.

If you dont want to do this yourself you can just roll over to a Sheet Metal Shop. They have all kinds of Do-Dads to change the fenders shape. You are probably looking for that Ole Guy with the yellow teeth and dirty hands to do it...

I think you want to squeeze the sides to increase the radius. Will you still have room for your tires?

I just rechecked my mounting instructions, and it appears you are correct. Doh! I am clearly a dunce at times. Fortunately I had not done anything to the rims yet.