Which solid full fenders do you like?
#26
QR-disc must die!!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 703
Likes: 199
From: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
I like the SKS Bluemels, although I'm more than tired of black fenders. They need to pump up the production pace of the silver ones, starting with their 20"/53 size that I installed most recently.
#27
So many roads ...
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 128
Likes: 111
From: Valley, NE -- where ALL roads are flat
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Tricross, a (almost) showroom condition 1987 Schwinn Collegiate 3-speed (for short coffee runs), KMX recumbent trike
I only like fenders that are original to the bike.
#28
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,954
Likes: 388
From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I think it depends on the bike, in my case I have a brass colored bike with black graphics, tape, seat, racks and bags, so the black SKS Bluemels look just fine with that bike.
#29
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 32
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 80's Roberts road bike, Nashiki, ECR, Guerciotti and Penny Farthing
#30
Live not by lies.
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 837
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
While I would like to run metal fenders (VO, Honjo or otherwise), I stick with SKS Longboards due to the cost and the fact that I sometimes take the bus (or did, pre covid). The bus bike racks are much more amenable to plastic fenders for the front wheel clamp mechanism, since plastic returns to shape when compressed. At least that’s been my experience with my city’s transit system.
Just something to consider
Just something to consider
#32
Junior Member

Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 101
Likes: 37
From: Texas
Bikes: All steel... Breadwinner, Ritchey, Soma, VO, etc.
I've tried VO, SKS, and Planet Bike. Honestly, they're all very good and serve their function. My vote goes to VO, because of their price to look ratio. They look great, and are about the same price(or only $10-$20 more) as SKS or Planet bike plastic fenders. Honjo fenders were a bit cost prohibitive for me. I'm not sure I'd ever need a fender nicer than VO fenders, but maybe I'm wrong since I haven't tried Honjo fenders.
#33
Overdoing projects

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 1,369
From: Rotterdam, former republic of the Netherlands
Bikes: Batavus Randonneur GL, Gazelle Orange Excellent, Gazelle Super Licht, Gazelle Grand Tourist, Gazelle Lausanne, Gazelle Tandem, Koga-Miyata SilverAce, Koga-Miyata WorldTraveller
Recently mounted a pair of Velo Orange Zeppelin fenders in black. They are pretty nice, but definitely less durable than the stainless steel Gilles Berthoud I have on another bike.
The hardware was pretty bulky though with pretty thick bolts and nuts which extend deep into the fender so if you have tight tolerances it might not be the best. The aluminum daruma bolt for the front snapped on me.
Replaced it with stainless steel Honjo fender stays.

The hardware was pretty bulky though with pretty thick bolts and nuts which extend deep into the fender so if you have tight tolerances it might not be the best. The aluminum daruma bolt for the front snapped on me.
Replaced it with stainless steel Honjo fender stays.

#34
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 2,603
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
I must be missing something. How can you comment on the durability of something you put on recently? I'm assuming, of course, you wouldn't think they were "pretty nice" if the VO fenders cracked or broke.
#35
Overdoing projects

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 1,369
From: Rotterdam, former republic of the Netherlands
Bikes: Batavus Randonneur GL, Gazelle Orange Excellent, Gazelle Super Licht, Gazelle Grand Tourist, Gazelle Lausanne, Gazelle Tandem, Koga-Miyata SilverAce, Koga-Miyata WorldTraveller
For comparison I did the same with the stainless steel Berthouds which didn't suffer the same fate and has withstood various bumps into brick walls with barely a scratch.
I do look at this as someone who has used bikes with fenders for 30 years in a commuting environment where it will be placed in close proximity with other bikes.
These feel great for general riding but I don't know if they will survive that long if somebody accidentally hooks their pedals behind them while removing their bike from the rack.
#36
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,466
Likes: 4,547
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
#37
I’m a little Surly
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 1,321
From: Near the district
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, Karate Monkey, Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
#38
QR-disc must die!!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 703
Likes: 199
From: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
Are the Honjo fenders much heavier in weight than those by SKS? Honjos are the only fenders in 20" that I can find in a silver color. SKS doesn't appear to make the 20" in silver anymore and VO are sold out of theirs.
#39
I’m a little Surly
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 1,321
From: Near the district
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, Karate Monkey, Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur

while this is in no sense a long term review/recommendation I recently got these Curana C-lite fenders not only are they easier to mount that either metal or plastic fenders they have an Stvzo approved B&M tail light integrated. They’re very modern looking with almost no shoulder since it’s supposed to rain all next week I’ll find out if the shoulder free life is for me.
#40
Full Member

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 285
Likes: 67
From: Lehigh Valley
Anyone have experience with Portland Design Works fenders? https://ridepdw.com/collections/fend...34997246820520
Haven't seen them mentioned.
Haven't seen them mentioned.
#41
Full Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 7
I've run PDW fenders and have really enjoyed them. Quiet and reliable. That said, I don't think there are any wrong answers here. I went with PDW because I wanted a more modern look. I was surprised I didn't see PDW mentioned more in this thread.
#42
I’m a little Surly
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 1,321
From: Near the district
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, Karate Monkey, Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
So in the summer I commute in Teva's and I'm glad I did today. It rained so hard a 4pm today that I delayed my ride home for an hour and half...the point of this is while my new fenders look good and have an integrated light they're simply to short to deflect the water from puddles and soaked my feet the good part is shoulders don't seem important since I didn't get any spray from around them.
#43
SKS Longboards are always a solid choice. Lightish, reasonably priced, not too hard to mount, durable, and they don't look terrible. I had 'em on a Can O' Ale hybrid. Good stuff.
I've got Portland Design Works Full Metal 700x30s on my '85 League Fuji, and I really like 'em.I can't speak to mounting, since they came with the bike, but I had to play with the rear a bit while dialing in the brakes. The mounting system is pretty straightforward, and they've got some clever hardware. The front is skewer-mount, because there's no eyelets on the fork. Great-looking dark bronze anodized aluminum, with a neato medallion on the front of the front fender. For a sport-touring bike with sidepull brakes, they'd be my recommendation. Kinda spendy, at 120 bucks a set. They make bigger ones, if you've got the room for 'em. I like 'em a lot.
--Shannon
I've got Portland Design Works Full Metal 700x30s on my '85 League Fuji, and I really like 'em.I can't speak to mounting, since they came with the bike, but I had to play with the rear a bit while dialing in the brakes. The mounting system is pretty straightforward, and they've got some clever hardware. The front is skewer-mount, because there's no eyelets on the fork. Great-looking dark bronze anodized aluminum, with a neato medallion on the front of the front fender. For a sport-touring bike with sidepull brakes, they'd be my recommendation. Kinda spendy, at 120 bucks a set. They make bigger ones, if you've got the room for 'em. I like 'em a lot.
--Shannon
#45
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
The fender heavily deformed under the fork crown while tightening the daruma bolt. As in, like an inner tube peeking through a broken sidewall. I can make a picture if you want. Might be user error on my part though.
For comparison I did the same with the stainless steel Berthouds which didn't suffer the same fate and has withstood various bumps into brick walls with barely a scratch.
I do look at this as someone who has used bikes with fenders for 30 years in a commuting environment where it will be placed in close proximity with other bikes.
These feel great for general riding but I don't know if they will survive that long if somebody accidentally hooks their pedals behind them while removing their bike from the rack.
For comparison I did the same with the stainless steel Berthouds which didn't suffer the same fate and has withstood various bumps into brick walls with barely a scratch.
I do look at this as someone who has used bikes with fenders for 30 years in a commuting environment where it will be placed in close proximity with other bikes.
These feel great for general riding but I don't know if they will survive that long if somebody accidentally hooks their pedals behind them while removing their bike from the rack.
Part 2 is all about creating that dent in the fender so that it will have the right fit when you bolt everything together.
#48
Riding after dark
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 66
Likes: 32
From: on the trails
Bikes: Raleigh Tripper (coaster brake), Raleigh One Way, '97 Specialized Rockhopper
I recently bought and installed some PDW Full Metal fenders 700x45. The 700x45 size is for 35 max tire size, which is what my tires are. REI is having a sale on the "city" fenders, which is the older name for the same size, but that older style has chrome stays and I wanted everything black so I ended up ordering from PDW (currently sold out now). Like most fenders they were a pain to install but they seem solid and I really like the look. Being that I just recently put them on I can't comment on durability.
I have another bike that needs fenders. Just for the sake of variety I think I'm going to try Handsome Mud Butlers for that bike.
Here's my Tripper with the PDW fenders.
I have another bike that needs fenders. Just for the sake of variety I think I'm going to try Handsome Mud Butlers for that bike.
Here's my Tripper with the PDW fenders.
#49
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,466
Likes: 4,547
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I recently bought and installed some PDW Full Metal fenders 700x45. The 700x45 size is for 35 max tire size, which is what my tires are. REI is having a sale on the "city" fenders, which is the older name for the same size, but that older style has chrome stays and I wanted everything black so I ended up ordering from PDW (currently sold out now). Like most fenders they were a pain to install but they seem solid and I really like the look. Being that I just recently put them on I can't comment on durability.
I have another bike that needs fenders. Just for the sake of variety I think I'm going to try Handsome Mud Butlers for that bike.
Here's my Tripper with the PDW fenders.
I have another bike that needs fenders. Just for the sake of variety I think I'm going to try Handsome Mud Butlers for that bike.
Here's my Tripper with the PDW fenders.
#50
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,172
Likes: 6,404
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
Of course, I haven't tried every single model of fenders, but I haven't found any I don't like. Really.
I took joy today while riding in light rain and running through lots of puddles without a care.
I took joy today while riding in light rain and running through lots of puddles without a care.
__________________
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
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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.




