Hi all,

I have been using different plastic clip-on fenders for years, most recently the SKS Raceblade. I´ve been thinking of getting some full-on fenders that stay on the bike pretty much permanently since I´m doing more commuting now. I do not care much about the weight, and in fact I want them to be as solid as possible since I hate adjusting them. The plastic lightweight fenders I´ve had have all been a bit too sensitive. I would love to hear what brands are the best out there nowadays.

I´m sure this has been discussed before but I could not find a recent thread.

My frame has all the necessary eyelets and I´m mostly using 35mm tires.

I like the SKS longboards. They mount very solidly and keep just about everything off of you and the bike.

SKS fenders seem to be the industry standard. I've got them on my bike. They look nice, they work, and they're not too heavy.

If you want something really solid, Velo Orange has a full range of metal (aluminum alloy) fenders. Some of them are really pretty.

Velo Orange. Just about everything else is too flexible/whippy and breaks.

Having used fenders for decades, my vote is for metal. Actually, nothing has lasted longer than the steel fenders from my old Schwinn frame. And they're not all that heavy -- after all the steel can be fairly thin and still do the job because it gets a lot of its strength from its shape.

Velo Orange stainless steel. No rattles, no rust, and you can bolt your tail light on.

Another vote for Velo Orange; I like the hammered black ones. Be patient when installing, or have someone do it. They're a little tricky to get dialed in, but once you do they are silent, very secure, and stylish.

Honjo metal fenders. Simply the best. Won't use anything else.

here are the VO’s

Just a note that VO has some aluminum fenders on clearance right now for 50 bucks.

I've seen the hammered Velo Orange fenders (plain aluminum)... they are very pretty. I've had SKS fenders on my road bike and my folding commuter bikes for years. They aren't as fancy looking, but they have been very durable and functional.



SKS fenders


SKS fenders

Yep velo orange or honjo. Honjo are considered even nicer than VO but are twice the work as they aren’t pre drilled. They’re also pricier. VO is as much fender quality as just about anyone will ever need.

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

Thanks all, sounds like the VO ones would be worth a try!

If you are in the US, you can buy these from Rene Herse -- either their website or from a dealer. The Velo Orange fenders are pretty similar and cost less.

Bear in mind that either of these will require a more involved installation process - but the result is a rock-solid setup with good coverage.

I wish we could get decent price velo orange in my country! The best ones I can find are the planet bike cascadia fenders

I like my Planet Bike Cascadia fenders; light, sturdy, inexpensive, and they come with mud flaps.

My plastic fenders broke after about 18 years (SKS predecessor company). Outraged at such a flimsy product, I bought metal fenders (from Velo Orange) to replace them. It took me about 12 hours over two days, with a week in between to order and receive a replacement strut, to get the stainless fenders mounted. I'm too enraged (or lazy) to do something about the hole in the rear fender I drilled in the wrong place.

I certainly hope these metal fenders last forever. Obviously I lack the knowledge and skill to put a pair on. I have learned one lesson: I bought a set of SKS fenders in case I need to replace another set of SKS fenders. Those I can put on in just over an hour.

FWIW, one contributor here noted that when he worked in a bike shop, fender installation was a time and materials job, rather than a fixed price effort. I've seen two shops put on SKS fenders in about the same hour it takes me. I could buy a new bike for the price of T&M on metal fenders with the same skill as I exhibited.

My shop charges $160 to install Honjo fenders, which is roughly what the fenders cost at retail (depending on model and features); they do cut the fee in half if the fenders are purchased from them. I was happy to go this route, since my shop had done me a real favor on another issue and I was looking for a way to reciprocate.

FWIW, the mechanic told me that it took him a few hours to install the fenders. That means it probably would've taken me a couple days, and I would've screwed it up anyway.

I've had good luck with Planet Bike plastic fenders (commuting in Seattle). I think PB only makes metal fenders now, and they are supposed to be even more solid, but I haven't replaced the fenders on my bent since I have the velo for wet weather riding.

Timely post as I was just investigating fenders. I am a fair weather rider but was out in a light mist and decided to look into fenders too. Another question will be fender width as most give a pretty general sizing measurement. I have 700X35s which seems kinda in between sizes too.

Another vote for VO. The tires are 700x32.

I use very simple to use SKS Bluemels, I love the way they can quickly be put back into proper position with the quick release sliding thing they use, I had a set of Planet Bike Cassidas on the touring bike that got crunched and those things was a pain in the arse to keep adjusted correctly, and they made a lot of noise, the Blumels you almost forget they're on the bike. But the sliding adjustable rails also prevents stuff like sticks getting wedged in between the tire and the fender and then either breaking the fender or in some rare instances locking up the wheel, instead the rails on the Bluemels are suppose to just slide preventing the lockup...supposedly.

[MENTION=310659]Zas[/MENTION] since you're located in Northern Europe there are a couple of options:

• SKS is a good option from Germany. Plastic but easy to get.
• Velo Orange from the US has several nice aluminum versions and even some stainless steel ones.
• Pelago from Finland has aluminum fenders that can be fitted to other bike models as well and make for a good fit as well. I would say they are comparable to Velo Orange
• Gilles Berthoud from France has some excellent stainless steel fenders in both normal and extra long lengths.
• Honjo from Japan makes several beautiful models but can be expensive to get your hands on.
• Simworks from the US has even rarer models made by Honjo. Their hardware however is great and available separately.

+1 for the plastic Planet Bike fenders. I've had them on two bikes for years and they've been rock solid. I didn't install them, however...