Commuting with Fenders question
#1
Thread Starter
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: 16 Haibike Sdruo Cross SM
Commuting with Fenders question
This is the 1st bike I have had with Fenders on, I don't ride in the rain but thru small puddles sometimes and not dried out streets.
As you can see in the pics I don't have the best fender set up right now. I am getting dirt and water on my back and the front is still getting splashed with crap.
For the people who have full fenders do you have this problem? Should I chuck what I have or with better fenders do you still get wet in the back and crap from the front.

As you can see in the pics I don't have the best fender set up right now. I am getting dirt and water on my back and the front is still getting splashed with crap.
For the people who have full fenders do you have this problem? Should I chuck what I have or with better fenders do you still get wet in the back and crap from the front.

#4
You might be able to attach a big flap to the back of the front fender to knock down anything thrown from the front wheel. Putting full fenders on a bike with a suspension fork can be a challenge.
Not sure why the rear fender isn't keeping your back clean. On one of my bikes I have one that just attaches to the seat post and it works fine for that. Not so great for keeping the seat post clean though.
Not sure why the rear fender isn't keeping your back clean. On one of my bikes I have one that just attaches to the seat post and it works fine for that. Not so great for keeping the seat post clean though.
Last edited by tjspiel; 12-21-15 at 09:30 PM.
#5
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: 16 Haibike Sdruo Cross SM
Well its not that bad at the back, I usually use a backpack and see drips of dirt that was sprayed up. I am thinking going for "real" fenders would not do that at all. Just hard to throw away stuff you just bought.
#6
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: New Jersey
Some creative mounting can get a full fender on a suspension fork. If that's a Suntour, it probably has a crown mount drilled already, so point for you. Axiom makes QR attached mounting holes that you can then mount the fender struts to.
It's worth the trouble to get full coverage fenders on a commuter.
It's worth the trouble to get full coverage fenders on a commuter.
#7
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Full front fenders make for clean riding. The back doesn't need to be so full. Also, FWIW: On my old MTB-based commuter I added a flap cut from a flexible rubber yoga mat and attatched with nylon nuts and bolts. The original fender comes to within 4 or 5 inches of the ground, but still allowed water to spray my shoes and chain. The front flap I added comes to within an inch of the ground and keeps everything dry and clean. My new touring-style commuter has fenders that curve under the wheel to within an inch or two of the ground, but are more rigid. Although the rigid fenders look nicer, they sometimes get caught on a curb or rock or lump of dirt. None of this bother the flap, and now that I'm using it as a snow and ice bike (with studded snow tires) I don't see how full rigid fenders would work in the snow.
Last edited by BobbyG; 12-22-15 at 11:19 AM.
#8
My, that is a big motor you have ;-)
I use a clamp to the seat post rear fender. works great and does stick out a little farther than yours does (which clamps low on the seat tube). If you are having problems, try clamping it higher on the tube so it extends back farther.
Personally with the riding you do, I don't need a front fender. I dodge the puddles, or when I ride through them I go straight so the downtube acts as a fender. But I'm guessing you ride a lot faster than the average commuter here!
Yes, for the front, you need a good deep fender - those short ones you have don't do any good at all (mine is lying in my garage - its more effective there than on my bike! LOL).
I use a clamp to the seat post rear fender. works great and does stick out a little farther than yours does (which clamps low on the seat tube). If you are having problems, try clamping it higher on the tube so it extends back farther.
Personally with the riding you do, I don't need a front fender. I dodge the puddles, or when I ride through them I go straight so the downtube acts as a fender. But I'm guessing you ride a lot faster than the average commuter here!
Yes, for the front, you need a good deep fender - those short ones you have don't do any good at all (mine is lying in my garage - its more effective there than on my bike! LOL).
#9
Keepin it Wheel




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From: San Diego
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FWIW: On my old MTB-based commuter I added a flap cut from a flexible rubber yoga mat and attatched with nylon nuts and bolts. The original fender comes to within 4 or 5 inches of the ground, but still allowed water to spray my shoes and chain. The front flap I added comes to within an inch of the ground and keeps everything dry and clean.
#10
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From: Aveiro, Portugal
Bikes: Folder, e-bike, road bike, tandem
I'm not sure why there are splashes on your rear fender - is it narrower than your tires?
Agree with the previous responders that your front fender is not giving you enough coverage.
Agree with the previous responders that your front fender is not giving you enough coverage.
#13
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
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Those fenders look great, and they will work much better.
Look around and see how people have attached mud flaps to fenders like yours. They say they help a lot. I still have to try them. The folks say you need one on the front as much as the one on the back.
Look around and see how people have attached mud flaps to fenders like yours. They say they help a lot. I still have to try them. The folks say you need one on the front as much as the one on the back.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#14
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From: Central PA (USA)
Bikes: 2014 Carbon Quest XS (Velomobile), 2014 Catrike Road (Trike), 2013 Easy Motion Max 700+ PCS (E-bike), 2011 Lynskey R340 (Road), 2011 Surly Moonlander (Fatty), 2010 Santa Cruise Tallboy (Full Suspension)
Aren't those mud flaps on it in the picture or do you mean to add different mud flaps?
#15
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
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From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I had SKS longboard fenders on my bike for a while but it rains seldom enough around here that I took them off again. They were much like this, though. Here's a photo from someone else on Bike Forums
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-1992-a-3.html
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"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 12-28-15 at 12:58 AM.
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