So, I need fenders...
 

On the Lenton, I'm really wanting to fender it, but I'm not paying $250 for a set of NOS Bluemels. That leaves me with, really, three aesthetically pleasing options. The Planet Bike Cascadias, the Soma fenders, and VO steel/aluminum fenders.

Now, to be truly "correct", I believe it came with white fenders, which I'm probably not going to find, unless I have a set of the VO's powdercoated. However, Bluemels also came in black, of which the PB and Soma fenders do.

So I guess the question is, what would you do - go with silver or black plastic fenders, or metal?

ALSO. which do you think would work better for this size rim (597) - 700c fenders or 650b fenders? I'm thinking 700c to get a bit longer reach...

Have you considered SKS fenders? There are two models to consider, the Chromoplastics and the Bluemels.

http://www.sks-germany.com/?l=en&a=p...CHROMOPLASTICS

http://www.sks-germany.com/?l=en&a=p...01430&BLUEMELS

The Chromoplastics are silver and are plastic and metal fenders. The SKS Bluemels come in black or silver.

Well, personally I'd use the white Bluemel's sitting in my "box of mild discontent" :). I doubt that I'll ever use 'em PM me if you want to go that route.

The Bluemels listed above sound like a good option.

I really like Berthouds though as well.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/berthoud.asp

I've used them on a half dozen bikes over the years and they work great after setting them up correctly.

There is a couple of sets of stronglight fenders on Ebay right now. One chrome and one in black for 700c. Around $40 for each. Go there and type in Stronglight, not Stronglight fenders. On page 2 and 4.

Good luck! You have two problems, color and shape.

1. Color.

Depending on the color of the bike (what color is your Lenton?), I suspect the best color will be white or off-white. But, let's face it, there really isn't a good option in white. I'd jump on the aforementioned Bluemels. Second choice would be the Planet Bike Cascadia's that are on ebay now, because they don't make those in white any more. You probably won't be thrilled with them, but there's no better option in white.

Black will look okay on some bikes. My Lenton Grand Prix is gold with a black head tube, and black fenders look fine on that. But if you think black won't look good on your bike, you are probably right.

My '63 Lenton Sports, in polychromatic green, came with chrome fenders; and looked good that way. So I wouldn't worry about how stainless steel or polished aluminum look, as far as color goes.

2. Shape.

Not to beat around the bush: Bluemels No-weight or Club Specials have the correct shape. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/...7220bc502b.jpgOnce upon a time, there were many options with that shape. Today there are none, not even Velo Orange. I suppose it's because of their francocentric weltanschauung; but the bottom line is Velo Orange doesn't offer anything that looks right on an English bike.

I have black Bluemels on my green Lenton Tourist (which has 700c wheels):

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...ouristNew2.jpg

On my '49 green Clubman, I have Bluemels alloy no-weights:

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/49Clubman3.jpg

So I like black or silver. I don't think white would look as good, but I'm fairly aesthetically challenged.

Neal

I say shorties.... J/K, LOL!!!

Mutt

I've often wondered what kind of results you'd get painting Bluemels with Krylon Plastic paint? From black to off-white. Seems like a good summer project but I can't bring myself to the point of spraying a perfectly good set of fenders. Just a thought or a bit of temptation for rhm....hmmmmmm....

But only from Memorial Day through Labor Day

Well, I can't argue with either of those! But then they're Bluemels, see?

My Fothergill has alloy Bluemels Tour de France mudguards with a very distinguished pedigree:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/...33be3b83_b.jpg

And here's my (departed) Lenton Sports, with its chrome Raleigh fenders:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/...0b32afec_b.jpg

But as for white....
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/...3da2b4e0_z.jpg

Yup, Bluemels, and I've never paid more than $60 for a complete set, including NOS. I don't know where you're getting the $250 from, Mickey.

Neal

26" Raleigh fenders can be made to fit and look pretty good. Get some NOS ones off of ebay with the removable stays so you can put longer ones in.

I have another set of these chromed steel ones with the raised ridge a la Raleigh. No stays or hardware. You can have them for what I paid (which was around $20, I think) plus shipping, Mickey. PM me if interested.

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...rSport5_18.jpg

Neal

Man, I love that Super Sport.

I'm liking the stuff from woodysfenders.com

Or you can go with bamboo!

http://www.cyclingcloseouts.com/Prod...315010116.aspx

Neal

Has anyone tried the SKS Bluemels? Apparently they are sold in the US as SKS Alleycats. The Matte finish seems like it would be easy to paint if you decide to colormatch...

berthoud fenders.

The color of my Lenton is the same as Neal's Tourist (same model, actually). Looking on Ebay, I'm not seeing the $200 Bluemels I was seeing a few weeks ago. I would like to try white ones, and would be interested in yours, cinco. I would also like to try the SKS bluemels, but perhaps not on this bike.

I'm also trying to decide, do I take my 40 lb, but perfectly serviceable Phillips to Lake Pepin, or do I take the iffy, never really ridden before, currently fenderless, bent forked Lenton? hmm...

THAT is aesthetically pleasing, to say the least!

...are stainless steel or carbon fiber, right?

Chromed Raleigh or Phillips fenders would look great and be period-correct, and are widely available on the used market through Craigslist.

extremely light, stainless steel. extra long. easy to tap out dents, unlike aluminum.
easy to paint or powdercoat, as well.

Planet bike Cascadia fenders came in white last time I checked...