Thin or modified fenders
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 323
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From: Western, MA
Bikes: 2016 Felt Z85 105, 2016 GT Grade Sora
Thin or modified fenders
Hello all,
I hate to bring this up so soon but this humidity and rain the northeast have me thinking about the winter.
a little context about my question. I ride a 2016 GT grade. 3 seasons of the year, I ride on 32mm Conti GP 4 seasons and for the wintertime, I have 35 mm Schwalbe marathon winters (4 rows of studs). Last year, the few times that I did ride in the snow, I knew clearance was very tight and I even had to forgo some of small clips that the fenders came with as they would rub on the spikes. If my front wheel wasnt perfect, the tire would rub on my front fender.
my question is, does anyone have any experience with fenders that are quite thin and provide full coverage that might better suit my needs? I'm currently using planet bike hardcore fenders in 45mm width that sort of get pinched at either side in my fork but have perfect clearance on the rear.
I'm considering using a dremel to maybe trim some if the fenders near the fork so that they don't pinch and that may potentially alleviate some of the clearance issues I had last year.
any help is greatly appreciated.
I hate to bring this up so soon but this humidity and rain the northeast have me thinking about the winter.
a little context about my question. I ride a 2016 GT grade. 3 seasons of the year, I ride on 32mm Conti GP 4 seasons and for the wintertime, I have 35 mm Schwalbe marathon winters (4 rows of studs). Last year, the few times that I did ride in the snow, I knew clearance was very tight and I even had to forgo some of small clips that the fenders came with as they would rub on the spikes. If my front wheel wasnt perfect, the tire would rub on my front fender.
my question is, does anyone have any experience with fenders that are quite thin and provide full coverage that might better suit my needs? I'm currently using planet bike hardcore fenders in 45mm width that sort of get pinched at either side in my fork but have perfect clearance on the rear.
I'm considering using a dremel to maybe trim some if the fenders near the fork so that they don't pinch and that may potentially alleviate some of the clearance issues I had last year.
any help is greatly appreciated.
#2
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,516
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Trimming the fender to fit inside the fork crown is normal
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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."
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Western, MA
Bikes: 2016 Felt Z85 105, 2016 GT Grade Sora
If anyone has examples of this, mind showing me?
I'd rather see what someone else has already done to help me better understand what and or where to cut.
I'd rather see what someone else has already done to help me better understand what and or where to cut.
#8
I like the beaver tail type fender that attaches to the seat post. with 32mm tires, my downtube does fine at the front.
I also use SKS trekking fenders. You can get them in multiple sizes (42, 45, 55)
I also use SKS trekking fenders. You can get them in multiple sizes (42, 45, 55)
#9
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,446
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
yeah studs do increase the clearance requirements, for sure. I think there is a wider fender you can buy. but if that is a road bike those are already pretty wide for a road bike
regardless, I did some cutting like that a cpl of years ago ... how is your front fender mounted? got a photo? is there a pass thru hole on the fork crown?
some reference
that thread has a link to some front fender brackets
here are some more
A
B
C
regardless, I did some cutting like that a cpl of years ago ... how is your front fender mounted? got a photo? is there a pass thru hole on the fork crown?
some reference
that thread has a link to some front fender brackets
here are some more
A
B
C
Last edited by rumrunn6; 08-09-18 at 09:49 AM.





