stien

I'm looking into getting myself a road bike for the colder months that I don't care about as much as a cervelo and a bianchi in the sand and salt of New England. Fenders will definitely be necessary as I'd like to take this one out in the rain also. If I want thin fenders (running 18,20,or 23c tires on 700c wheels), am I still stuck with centerpulls or are there other alternatives? I know I could go with smaller wheels and get long reach modern calipers.

Johnny Alien

Rivendell has a a few options made by Tektro I believe.

robertkat

The 57mm reach Shimano breaks I have on my SS give me plenty of room for 28mm tires with full fenders. Depends on what the bike was designed with, reach wise.

dahut

Two words for you: Cyclocross bike

Captain Blight

If you want to keep it vintage the Dia-Compe N500 are widely available, reasonably effective, and fit around the Berthoud fenders just fine. I don't believe they'd work for a 700C conversion, though of course it would depend on the individual frame.

oldmuthariley

My gazelle champion mondial runs 23mm tyres and 25mm SKS guards with Campag athena (2010) calipersMy Bob Jackson vigorelli runs 23mm tyres with 25mm Bluemels club specials with Campag Chorus calipers (2010) - i used to use campag athena monoplaners on both and they worked too - just standard reach calipersboth work fine

mickey85

I've got a Fuji running 27X1-1/8 tires and short reach sidepulls with fenders (Zefal 37-40mm fenders), with no problems. I just ordered a set of white Planet Bike 37mm fenders for a Nishiki with 700X23 and short-reach, and I am using similar fenders on a UO-8 fixed gear with long-reach Shimano dual-pivots.

stien

Well alright! Should be fine. The bike has 700x25 tires and short reach brakes, but I'm probably going to put 18 or 20s on it. Thanks gents.

Bianchigirll 

which bike are you puting fenders on? I don't think you have to ride x18 or 20 tires just to have fenders. I think if you look for a mid to late '80s steel bike like a 84-87ish Bianchi Sport SX to Brava or a Fuji Club, Tivoli, or a Raleigh something. I think looking at more of "sport" or light touring bike will give you the fender clearance you seek. don't over look touring bikes too.

I think you first need to find a bike/frame that the fenders you wish to use will fit. then look at brakes if the stock ones don't work.

stien

I'm looking at a Centurion right now for the winter beast slot BG. Yay/nay? It has eyelets and the seller sent this for brake clearance:


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Captain Blight

Nay. You'll shoot your eye out, kid. Not nearly enough room for mudguards.

Charles Wahl

If you all are really thinking of winter bike, then make it truly simple -- easier to clean and keep corrosion at bay.

singlespeed or internal gear hub: 1 cog
possible coaster brake: no external rear brake
larger (wider) tires, if possible for better grip on slush/ice; maybe even studded tires
fenders with mudflaps down to 1/2“ from pavement: keeps road crap off your drivetrain and feet.

Hint for the really practical: an MTB frame usually has great clearance, better brakes than sidepulls, rugged, expendable, etc. Perfect for a winter bike.

dahut

+1

Right now, Im working in a Specialized Hard rock I got for $15 at the thrift store. Its in 90% plus condition, so Im getting it spiffed up as a town bike/wife bike. Kevlar comfort bike tires, a rack and an easy, more upright ride position is where I'm headed.
Since I live in South Carolina where winters here are mild, it should work out well.

mickey85

What size tires are they? If you can go smaller, you could fit mudguards, but narrow ones, and preferably plastic. I wouldn't use that for a winter bike though.

pacificaslim

It depends on what kind of fenders you really want. Heck, there are fenders that work just fine and fit on "race" bikes with very little tire clearance. SKS Race Blades, for example.

Bianchigirll 

I think somebody beat me to it, took a bit to dust through the cobwebs ad recall the ESGE name/brand which now seems to be SKS

the 35 or 45mm should work and don't seem to be too pricy, https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fenders.html

stien

They are 25. Why wouldn't you use that as a winter bike?

I think we're also confusing my intent with this bike. I'm not riding in the snow, I'm riding in the rain, sand, salt, and maybe slush. No snow on the road.

I'd love an IGH bike with 5-8 speeds, but I'm not about to spend more than I did on my Cervelo or Bianchi on a winter bike ($500).

stien

Do I need a mounting point at the BB end of the fender or is that a clip or something?

Bianchigirll 

wow we are taxing my memory this morning.... it is a clip that goes over the little round BB bridge between the chainstays

I think Mickey is refering to the fact that you are considering using a Centurion for a "winta beata" as they say in Weymouth LOL

snow although hard to ride in (been carless during the winter on the South Shore a few times) as well as rain is not the real issue SALT is. you just need to keep the bike clean. maybe put that frame saver stuff init and seal the weld holes

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

personally I'd want bigger tires than 25mm and fenders. There's a lot of crap on the roads in the winter.

Johnny Alien

They need a mounting point down there so either something brazed on or a P-clip. The black clip part is a safety mechanism. If something gets jammed between the fender and the tire it will pull out at the clip part and break the fender free. Also if it's a modern brake you will need a Sheldon nut thingy to mount the front fender.

Bianchigirll 

just get this and save yourself all the hassle

mickey85

This. It's not that it's a Centurion (although, riding one of those in the winter is like buying a '69 Hurst/Olds for a winter beater), it's that you don't have space for wider tires. I would never use a bike with anything under 28 or 32c tires. Having ridden in the winter, I know that morning commutes will often have snow, slush freezes to ice, and you can find ice, sand, salt, and hard snow chunks on the side of the road all day long. With 23-25c tires, you're going to lose a lot of control.

Ever notice how it's harder to control a rear brake slide on a beach cruiser or mountain bike than on a road bike? Even when sliding, you have grip. With super narrow tires, you have a lot less than if you were to go with 32's or so. On that centurion, 32's would probably be rubbing the brake bridges.

Andrew F

+1 onthe MTB I rode an older Giant Iguana last winter. This year it is getting either Drop or Moustache bars and Plastic fenders. Putting smaller tires added plenty of room for fenders and the frame and compoents are bomb proof....bring on the potholes!

dahut

Or get a cyclocross bike