Do I need Fenders?
 

My LBS kind of lost a gasket with last week. I came in for some problems I was having and it turned out the bottom bracket (SRAM GXP) was absolutely shredded on one side - the bearings had come out - and the thing just looked like a gunked up, terrible mess. I could swear that I cleaned that thing out in October - it was my first time taking it apart - maybe I didn't seal it up correctly?

But the LBS got on me about not having fenders. I ride all weather and when it rains I usually hose my bike off when I get home and always store it inside. I just can't stand fenders for some reason - but I suppose if it will really help keep the parts in good working order...

I commute all-weather 30mi a day 4 days a week - half in the city and half bike path.

Where do you live, how often does it rain?

If you're around, say, Seattle, get them to mount you some nice shiny metal fenders. If you're in Los Angeles, fuggedaboutit.

Short answer: No

Personally, I use fenders. They're practical where I live commuting 5 days a week in all weather. They help keep you and your drivetrain clean. I commuted an entire year and it just became annoying to clean up my bike and get all the grit and grime out of components (and my face). Its far less these days and probably wont take them off my commuter.

You dont NEED fenders, but they make my life easier. My guess is it wasn't sealed properly.

One of the many ways that water gets into a BB is that it will makes its way down the seat tube from all the water spraying up your back. A rear fender helps some with that and a front fender reduces the water cast off the front wheel directly at the BB area that may get in through the seals.

So fenders will help, but obviously are not going to keep your BB dry and warm in a downpour.

At $25, that BB is a throw away item (like most today). Buy a few and get the tool to change them yourself. If you find water in the BB (very likely) let it dry out before you close it back up.

Well, I don't know what's up with the LBS! You're a paying customer, right? They want to sell you stuff, well, that's fine, but they should always be patient and courteous, and when you hand them your credit card, they should thank you politely.

I can't speculate what happened to your BB; maybe you didn't do the job right, maybe you did. But I don't think fenders would have prevented it.

That said, I won't commute without fenders. I like them as much as you hate them. You probably don't need them. But I do.

I absolutely recommend fenders.

I had been commuting on my road bike without fenders for a while (couple of months). The worst part is the backsplash of water and mud on your back, and on the top of your butt. When wearing a backpack, it gets absolutely sprayed in mud every time too.

I finally had enough of it, and got some Portland Design Works fenders. They are expensive, but nice-looking, and they do the job very well. I now arrive at work or home with a non-muddy back, and my backpack stays clean. My bike stays clean. I love it! I am far less bothered by rainy rides in general now.

Apart from keeping yourself clean, it does keep the bike A LOT cleaner as well. Without fenders, the mud and water is sprayed all over your BB, Cranks, chainrings, chain, seat tube,, etc. I don't think it does damage short term, but long term all that sand and mud inside of those moving parts will wear them out more quickly. So yes, even from a mechanical point of view, it is a good idea to have fenders. Your bike will last longer / require less maintenance.

Fenders exist in all price ranges. Why would you NOT get fenders? If they really annoy you, there are some that are "easily" removeable, so you can remove them on sunny days. I don't have fenders on my nice road bike, but I only ride that one in fair weather.

IF you do decide to opt for fenders, get full coverage ones. I've seen quite a few that have been more fashion statement than functional.

Personally, when I was commuting, I ran fenders, because I never knew if that dirty, brown water was construction run-off or from a busted sewage line.

Get used to replacing the external bearing assemblies < advantage they're quick to replace> But they are Out there in wheel spew
https://www.sram.com/truvativ/produc...bottom-bracket
I have Mudguards on all My bikes except for the ones that I rarely ride But for the dry summer days.

Yea, full coverage coming down Low near the street, with a Generous Mud flap.

Fenders are like condoms. If you take on wet conditions without them, all you're doing is signalling to the world that you have crippling anxiety about your appearance and performance.

Young Aspiring Hardmen.. Racers In Training, in like Belgium, have different image needs than Commuters..

I kinda doubt a fender is going to do much for the BB, most fenders are not going to go low enough to keep the front wheel from spraying grim on the BB.

My daily commuter bike (Kona Dew Drop) has fenders and after 14,000 miles of biking in nearly every condition imaginable, the original BB is holding up. OTOH, my Felt Z85 needs the BB serviced after every rainy ride ...that's an exaggeration, but I try to keep that a dry bike because the BB does not like getting wet.

This post fails on so many levels it may fail to actually be a post...

This post gets it on so many levels it just might be 'Best in Thread'.

Do you need fenders? No. Would they make your commute more enjoyable? Probably. Would they keep you bike in better condition? Certainly. To me, the main advantage to fenders is they help keep your bike clean and prevent dirt, grime, grit, water, etc. from fouling up your drivetrain. Notice that I said "help." Fenders are not a magic bullet that will prevent you from ever having to maintain your bike, replace a chain, etc. However, they will certainly help keep your drivetrain cleaner, better functioning and long lasting.

Of course you don't need fenders. Do you need an umbrella? You'd just get more wet, that's all. Around here there's enough moisture coming from above, I don't need it to come from below too.

Whether it helps with extending the life of your BB is debatable.

Rear fenders help bottom brackets a lot, both from direct spray (and this spray is dirtier than the spray from the front wheel which is passing through undisturbed water) and possibly down the seat tube. Front fenders, if they have deep flaps, protect the bottom bracket from about 90% water it would otherwise see. Full fenders with the front having a deep flap will make a huge difference.

I make deep flaps for all the fenders I buy. Most non-English fenders come without. Some like Planet Bike had front flaps that are just toys. I remove them and put real ones on. There are now a few fenders out there with good flaps. Cascadias by Planet Bike for one. There are also retro-fit flaps to be had. (I find this all a little amusing. In the '60s, Blummel of England was virtually the only choice. They came with deep, very effective flaps.)

IF you are happy paying the bike shop for their work, they should not be scolding you. If you come in complaining about the short life of your bottom brackets and they have been telling you for a while to get fenders, you deserve what they are saying.

Ben

That's funny. A couple of mechanics at my LBS told me that hosing down with gentle water pressure was perfectly fine. Lube on the chain was the only thing they said I should pay attention to - do apply lube at appropriate intervals, but don't put too much. Granted, this is not an oceanside city - we don't have to worry about salt-laden mist or anything like that wafting onto our bikes here.

Everyone at the LBS, even the owner, treated fenders as optional things.

My experience is that the most critical functionality of the front fender comes from the lower part of the fender. The mudflap should prevent water spray on your shoes, chainring(s), and bottom bracket. In that respect, SKS Longboards are the best I've found (though I'm searching for an alternative with at least as much coverage).

Longboards. They cover the front tire down to the ground. I love them and can't imagine year round commuting without...

We get some pretty rainy months here in South Florida. I would recommend them here, but maybe living in a place like Arizona or Vegas you can take a pass.

Fenders will do precisely nothing to protect your bottom bracket. Doesn't mean they're a bad idea, but in general buying fenders with the expectation of reducing maintenance is misguided, except probably the headset. When you say you cleaned the bottom bracket, what do you mean? Did you pull out the bearings and install new ones? Because that's not generally worthwhile with a GXP or other sealed outboard bearing BB.

Full-coverage fenders certainly help keep you more comfortable, but I'm always surprised anyone seriously argues that they keep the drivetrain cleaner. In my experience, pretty much everything at hub level or below still gets pretty gross. Maybe it's not as bad, but it's really a difference of degree.

They will if they are full coverage fenders, and not just decorative. My SKS Longboards keep my bottom bracket, chainring, and shoes quite clean and dry. That's the primary reason I have a front fender.

I use fenders all year in MN. Obviously winter is more beneficial than the rest of the year, however there is a lot of crap on the road that is not water that will splash up at you or is water mixed with who knows what.

Sometimes the city empties a fire hydrant and there is water everywhere and I have to ride thru it. Sometimes there is sand on the road and my tires pick it up and flick it, it all goes inside my fenders not on me or my bike.

I agree with those who say that fenders didn't cause your bearing to be shredded, but I also agree with those who say fenders are nice. Try them and see how you like them. And don't patronize a business that reprimands you. You don't need that rudeness.

How in the hell would fenders help the bottom bracket? BB gets wet regardless of fenders.

IMO fenders are for you, not the bike. Get them if you want them. The saying is, "Fenders...because that's not water." Meaning that the stuff splashing up on you from the road could be oil, could be pesticide runoff from the lawns, could be roadkill juice, could be wino urine, could be animal scat.