I just bought a 29er for my winter commuter and need to get some fenders. I'm going to put my 700 x 35 studded tires on but would like to be able to use the stock tires without taking off the fenders, (2.1 inches, approx 53mm). Most of what I see on the interwebs are mud flaps and I wonder if these actually keep one's butt and components dry and free of snow buildup. Suggestions?

Check out the SKS Velo line for 29er. I put them on my Hunqapillar with 50mm Schwalbe Big Ben tires and they are great. Inexpensive, easy to mount and the stays are entirely optional.




Marc

Planet Bike makes 29'er fenders with flaps...I have them in 60mm width and been very happy with them.

Those look perfect but there are a bunch of versions (47, 55, 65, etc) and I can't tell the difference? I'm assuming it's width, maybe length? Any idea?

The difference in size is the width.

Marc

Excellent, ordered!

For off road riding, full coverage mudguards are dangerous and impractical.

For commuting and pavement riding (even if there's snow), mudguards that aren't full coverage will get you all dirty and sprayed - both the bike and the rider.


My point - if original fat tyres are used for off-road, I'd strongly suggest taking the mudguards off. If no off road, then a change for a bit thinner, slick tyres is a good choice.

And that's the plan - fat tires are already off replaced by studs. When it's warm and I put the fats back on for offroad I'll take the fenders off. It seems the SKS Velo's are a decent compromise between mudguards and real fenders. I'll find out soon enough!

That makes sense.

I had the SKS Velo 65 mudguards for a brief moment. The problem is they are not very long so they do stop short on a 29er, very short. They would stop about midway up my rear rack if I had it all the way down at the BB. There is a lot of spray in that area and a lot of it is going to get on you.

What I am trying to say is get a full fender like a cascadia, I just saw a set go for $29 on our local trading post. Especially in winter when the ground at least here is always some kind of nasty wet.

Just read your blog post on riding in the snow - cracked me up! Nice job!!

Thanks, glad to hear that.