What Good Are Fenders?
01-15-18 | 01:21 PM
#76
Firm but gentle
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 172
From: Oregon
Bikes: Custom Ti Quiring 29Plus, 2005 Litespeed Tuscany, Carver Gnarvester, Soma Pescadero, Jamis Hybrid
If your fenders rattle or rub you need a better fitting fender or perhaps a better mounting set-up (I am a freak about having a quiet bike). I have noticed even in the completely dry summer here and on good pavement my drive train stays a bit cleaner with fenders. I recommend fenders made from aluminum, but whatever works is fine. I even made some of my own from sheet aluminum with tons of mud clearance for an old MTB. There are downpours when no gear, clothing, or fenders, will do much to protect you (take Bike Snob's advice and lease a Hyundai, I did!). I have no rebuttal for those of you who think that an elegant and proper set of fenders on a never raced bicycle aren't worth it, to each his or her own.
01-15-18 | 01:55 PM
#78
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 237
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo, NY
I've been riding for >30 years and I do remember buying fenders years ago (from a bike shop, not a box store), not long after I got into riding. I wasn't impressed and probably only had them on my bike for about a year; I got so disgusted with them, I just threw them away.
The other day I was riding in a very soft rain, just a drizzle, but enough rain to have a very slight pooling in areas. I have a rear rack for my panniers, but still I got the dreaded Skunk Stripe on my back, which I was wearing my brand new high-viz yellow shirt
This got me thinking...why do people still bother with fenders?
Tell me what I'm missing here...
The other day I was riding in a very soft rain, just a drizzle, but enough rain to have a very slight pooling in areas. I have a rear rack for my panniers, but still I got the dreaded Skunk Stripe on my back, which I was wearing my brand new high-viz yellow shirt
This got me thinking...why do people still bother with fenders?
Tell me what I'm missing here...
You might find this video interesting -
01-16-18 | 06:19 AM
#79
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 2,016
From: Atlantic Beach Florida
You might find this video interesting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B73T0Mqv2Q
I've already checked out a few youtube videos on fenders, but missed this one.
01-16-18 | 06:43 AM
#80
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 6
From: Western Florida
Bikes: 2017 Kona TI, 2011 Mezzo D9, Gazelle Ultimate C380
I love my fenders, and they look good on the bike too! I once took them off just before a 3 day tour, sinking I wouldn't need them. A few hours into the ride I traveled through a forest (on a path) that just had a heavy downpour. Awful warm, sandy water running down my back. Yuck! Never again.
01-16-18 | 11:03 AM
#81
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 303
Likes: 41
From: Folsom, CA
Bikes: Road, Commuter, Mountain, Tandem and a couple others
I just installed a set of SKS Longboards on my bicycle yesterday. I chose the black fenders with the reflective stripes on the sides. There are a few changes since SKS made their installation video, the bracket that holds the rear fender to the frame is much improved, a simple snap on piece now. Also the pieces that cover the ends of the stays are different.
Overall it was moderately difficult to install, as expected. Cutting the stays was the hardest part, and my bike's got some unique features (belt drive, disc brakes, rack), all of which were not hard to accommodate.
The ride into the office this morning was wet, but not raining. No issues.
Choosing fenders is obviously a personal choice. I'm giving them a chance for the same reason I bought a belt drive bike - I want to ride in whatever rain we happen to get this year, and would like to figure out first hand all the issues to deal with.
Overall it was moderately difficult to install, as expected. Cutting the stays was the hardest part, and my bike's got some unique features (belt drive, disc brakes, rack), all of which were not hard to accommodate.
The ride into the office this morning was wet, but not raining. No issues.
Choosing fenders is obviously a personal choice. I'm giving them a chance for the same reason I bought a belt drive bike - I want to ride in whatever rain we happen to get this year, and would like to figure out first hand all the issues to deal with.
01-16-18 | 11:12 AM
#82
Too slow
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 12
From: Russellville, Ar
23 x700 tires don't throw water on my back as long as I stay under 14 mph in the rain. But I do have a rain bike with nice Blumenthal aluminum fenders. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater
Last edited by 44.5mph; 01-16-18 at 11:24 AM.
01-16-18 | 02:48 PM
#83
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,320
Likes: 6,606
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
__________________
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.
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.
01-16-18 | 03:44 PM
#84
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 720
From: Port Dover Ontario Canada
Bikes: 1965 Dilecta Le Blanc, 1956 Royal Nord, 1972 Raleigh Sports, 1972 CCM Turismo, 2014 Salsa Vaya, 2019 Giant Lafree and others
Thanks for posting that Tom. I am always "defending my fenders" to our local group. I received some (taken off bikes) in good condition that I recently used and like. They are a plastic/metal/plastic laminate and are lightweight and solid. mt. Zefal are the only markings. I used them on my recent '65 Dilecta Le Blanc Touring build.
__________________
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
01-16-18 | 07:52 PM
#85
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 61
Likes: 11
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: 1974 Falcon Olympic ,1982 Trek 710(both all Reynolds 531), 1974 Raleigh Sports, the'Keep Portland Weird'Montgomery Ward Open Road 10sp with basement sourced modern parts, 1989 TREK 400, 1980s Nishiki mixte, 1981 VINER Special Professional,Rockhopper
Portland rain
My observations re: fenders from someone who has ridden year 'round in Boston, Ann Arbor, the San Francisco East Bay, Seattle and Portland, all places with roughly 40" of rain in various forms per year: Fenders should have ...
Two front stays, not just one unless the fender is designed frm the start to use just one set and be as rigid
Solid mounts at the brake bolts
A deep front flap that can be bent back without damage to either it or the fender
Breakable front stay ends at the dropout
Be rigid enough to not vibrate at speed and/or on rough surfaces, especially after front flaps are installed
Should be offered in yellow or white
I haven't had anything jam in the front fender and stop me yet and have never had or needed the front stays to fail but I have been wondering when that "yet" will happen for decades. I have had fenders that pass the rest of the above and fenders that flunk many of those standards.
There are several easy ways to make good front flaps. Cut down water bottles are very popular in Portland but I worry about them being stronger than the fender and breaking it. (If you ride a loaded bike with a heavy front end, ie loaded LowRiders; my preferred snow setup, the day will come when you wheel it off a curb and forget to lift long enough for the fender flap ti clear the curb. Crunch! Did your fender and flap pass the tests?
My preferred flap - I make them from 1990s era architect's film (as used for overhead projectors, large displays, etc. I double it up and tape the edges with clear packing tape. Plenty stiff enough to not deform in deep puddles but folds back with little damage when that curb thing happens. I only get several years out of each flap, but they are easy to make and install. (First one is the hardest. I drill out the rivets and replace them with #10 or M5 bolts, nuts and washers before the fender goes on the bike.)
When my film runs out, I will try leather since we have a very good leather store here, Oregon Leather. I'll report back when I do but don't hold your breath. I still have a few years of film to go.
Popular US made fenders that sadly flunk almost all of my standards are the Planet Bike fenders. One set of stays for a fender with less than rigid plastic. Front vibration happens very regularly, esp after you put on a real flap that generates air vortexes. Mount at the brake bolt is very poorly designed and not remotely stiff enough. The flap is a joke (but takingit off is just the drilling out of the rivets so work that was happening anyway). The plastic hanger at the brake bolt in back changes shape and fit relative to the plastic fender, becomes loose and starts rattling. I always end up making my own fitting at the chainstay gusset, again to stop rattling.
Fenders that pass all those standards save the flap are the SKS fenders. They are a joy. Now it they would just make yellow and white.
I keep posting about my experience re: Planet Bike fenders in the hope that someone there will see them and get the message. All they have to do is find an ancient set of Blummel fenders at some yard sale and copy them. 50 years ago, the British were making good fenders that passed all of my standards with flying colors (and in colors that could be seen on dark, rainy/grey northern winter days like today).
Ben
Two front stays, not just one unless the fender is designed frm the start to use just one set and be as rigid
Solid mounts at the brake bolts
A deep front flap that can be bent back without damage to either it or the fender
Breakable front stay ends at the dropout
Be rigid enough to not vibrate at speed and/or on rough surfaces, especially after front flaps are installed
Should be offered in yellow or white
I haven't had anything jam in the front fender and stop me yet and have never had or needed the front stays to fail but I have been wondering when that "yet" will happen for decades. I have had fenders that pass the rest of the above and fenders that flunk many of those standards.
There are several easy ways to make good front flaps. Cut down water bottles are very popular in Portland but I worry about them being stronger than the fender and breaking it. (If you ride a loaded bike with a heavy front end, ie loaded LowRiders; my preferred snow setup, the day will come when you wheel it off a curb and forget to lift long enough for the fender flap ti clear the curb. Crunch! Did your fender and flap pass the tests?
My preferred flap - I make them from 1990s era architect's film (as used for overhead projectors, large displays, etc. I double it up and tape the edges with clear packing tape. Plenty stiff enough to not deform in deep puddles but folds back with little damage when that curb thing happens. I only get several years out of each flap, but they are easy to make and install. (First one is the hardest. I drill out the rivets and replace them with #10 or M5 bolts, nuts and washers before the fender goes on the bike.)
When my film runs out, I will try leather since we have a very good leather store here, Oregon Leather. I'll report back when I do but don't hold your breath. I still have a few years of film to go.
Popular US made fenders that sadly flunk almost all of my standards are the Planet Bike fenders. One set of stays for a fender with less than rigid plastic. Front vibration happens very regularly, esp after you put on a real flap that generates air vortexes. Mount at the brake bolt is very poorly designed and not remotely stiff enough. The flap is a joke (but takingit off is just the drilling out of the rivets so work that was happening anyway). The plastic hanger at the brake bolt in back changes shape and fit relative to the plastic fender, becomes loose and starts rattling. I always end up making my own fitting at the chainstay gusset, again to stop rattling.
Fenders that pass all those standards save the flap are the SKS fenders. They are a joy. Now it they would just make yellow and white.
I keep posting about my experience re: Planet Bike fenders in the hope that someone there will see them and get the message. All they have to do is find an ancient set of Blummel fenders at some yard sale and copy them. 50 years ago, the British were making good fenders that passed all of my standards with flying colors (and in colors that could be seen on dark, rainy/grey northern winter days like today).
Ben
Last edited by Mikier; 01-16-18 at 07:57 PM.
01-16-18 | 09:07 PM
#86
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,182
Likes: 5,314
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Never mind that you can ride as fast as you like without bolstering the racing stripe!
Ben
01-17-18 | 04:41 AM
#87
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Great article
Why would a motorcycle racer put fenders on his bike? It’s not to deal with random rainstorms, I don’t believe they race when it’s raining. I suspect he does it to go faster! It’s interesting that fenders aren’t allowed in bicycle racing.....why?
(See article for pic)
(See article for pic)
01-17-18 | 04:50 AM
#88
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,500
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
01-17-18 | 11:18 AM
#89
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 61
Likes: 11
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: 1974 Falcon Olympic ,1982 Trek 710(both all Reynolds 531), 1974 Raleigh Sports, the'Keep Portland Weird'Montgomery Ward Open Road 10sp with basement sourced modern parts, 1989 TREK 400, 1980s Nishiki mixte, 1981 VINER Special Professional,Rockhopper
Love my SKSs. Have heard comments that they rattle and are always going out of adjustment... I have not had that be an issue. There is a several inch gap where the attachment metal strip is fastened to the brake bolts resulting ( when the roadway is very wet) in a constant fine spray up onto the brakes. If this is an issue, you can bridge the gap with Gorilla/Duct tape. The skinny mud flaps at the bottom do a surprisingly good job of keeping most of the spray off feet and BB. For fanatical racers they are easy to pop off the support brackets in mere seconds when the sun comes out. Here in Portland, I think I'll leave them on until July 4th when the annual dry days traditionally return 
01-17-18 | 11:58 AM
#90
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,320
Likes: 6,606
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
When people say which fenders they think are the best, I wonder, does it really make a difference? I can't remember any fenders I didn't like. When people mention what a pain they are to install, I wonder, is it that hard, or am I lucky? Maybe I'm skilled and don't know it? Well, whatever. Here are SKS Chromoplastic® fenders on my Bianchi Volpe. They don't rattle or go out of adjustment.
__________________
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.
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.
01-17-18 | 12:22 PM
#91
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 56
From: Munising, Michigan, USA
Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter
Tom, you do good work! What is that thing way out in front and on top that looks like a bell? Is it a bell?
When people say which fenders they think are the best, I wonder, does it really make a difference? I can't remember any fenders I didn't like. When people mention what a pain they are to install, I wonder, is it that hard, or am I lucky? Maybe I'm skilled and don't know it? Well, whatever. Here are SKS Chromoplastic® fenders on my Bianchi Volpe. They don't rattle or go out of adjustment.
01-17-18 | 12:26 PM
#92
Banned.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 838
Some fenders shake side to side so much that they bounce against the tire and cause squeaks and potential safety issue if it gets muddy of if there are sticks on the road. Other types are not made with high quality plastic and become hard and brittle as they absorb UV light and crack over time.
Difficulty of installation is almost always based on the bike they're being installed on. I had a road racing bike with fender mounts that I could get on and off in 7 minutes. My allroad bike takes closer to 20-30 minutes as the brake/chainstay bridges and fork crown are not well designed.
I prefer fenders that are a little longer than the ones you have pictured as well.
Difficulty of installation is almost always based on the bike they're being installed on. I had a road racing bike with fender mounts that I could get on and off in 7 minutes. My allroad bike takes closer to 20-30 minutes as the brake/chainstay bridges and fork crown are not well designed.
I prefer fenders that are a little longer than the ones you have pictured as well.
01-17-18 | 12:26 PM
#93
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,320
Likes: 6,606
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Thank you, though I think the fender line isn't very straight.
It's a bell on an accessory mounting thingy. I can put a computer or light or whatever else on it with the bell.
It's a bell on an accessory mounting thingy. I can put a computer or light or whatever else on it with the bell.
__________________
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.
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.
01-17-18 | 01:34 PM
#94
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,690
Likes: 2,610
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Tom, I bought my latest touring bike and installed fenders on it myself. When I bought my daughter a touring bike a year later, I remembered it being an hour and a half of full-speed-ahead pfutzing, so I asked REI to install her fenders before we left with the bike. Those skilled mechanics managed to get her fenders on in only 90 minutes. Both the SKS fenders you mentioned.
It may be possible to do it faster if you install a bunch of fenders, but it does take some time.
OTOH, neither of us has had problems with them in the last 8 or 9 years.
01-17-18 | 03:16 PM
#96
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 183
From: Queens, NY for now...
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
Why would a motorcycle racer put fenders on his bike? It’s not to deal with random rainstorms, I don’t believe they race when it’s raining. I suspect he does it to go faster! It’s interesting that fenders aren’t allowed in bicycle racing.....why?
(See article for pic)
(See article for pic)
But that's not what the fenders are primarily there for, otherwise they would take them off in the dry. As mentioned, the main reason is aerodynamics, as they need to channel the air around the wheel and fork legs, while also trying to direct the desired amount onto the brakes and radiator.
Ducati actually went without them for a while in the early days of their return to motogp, because their monster of an engine was producing so much heat that they needed all the cooling possible. But, this is why comparing them to bicycles is a little silly. Wider tires, large radiators plowing through the air... and most importantly, they hit speeds as high as 215mph, and hardly ever slow down below 40 or 50mph.
01-18-18 | 11:56 AM
#97
It's MY mountain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,187
Likes: 4,255
From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
01-18-18 | 12:54 PM
#98
Virgo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 106
From: KFWA
Bikes: A touring bike and a hybrid
Add me to the pro-fender group. My work commute takes me over a busy 4-6 lane N/S main artery and interchange with the interstate, then through the countryside into the Amish country of NE Indiana. Whenever it rains, the horse, er, excrement, from all the buggies becomes poop soup and I look down and watch all the brown water spraying down from the back of my front fender and feel good about my purchase, even though they're cheap Planet Bike jobs. Also winter riding which introduces all sort of sand and salt into the mix. I prefer to keep that off my person and mostly off my bike. I don't know where people are living with streets so clean they don't mind being sprayed. Gross. I'm far from a germophobe, but gross.
01-18-18 | 04:11 PM
#99
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 415
From: Michigan
Bikes: too many of all kinds
01-18-18 | 04:14 PM
#100
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 415
From: Michigan
Bikes: too many of all kinds