Which is better material for Fenders, Metal or Plastic? Metal last a lot longer but is a pain to put on. Plastic is great but I'm only getting 7+ years out of pair. (It then cracks and rubs on the tire.) Does anyone have any experience with lifespan of these materials? Is there anything better out there?

I so thought this was going to be a frame material thread when I clicked on it ()

SKS plastic coated aluminum foil fenders last seemingly forever. There's nothing better than good ol' fashioned chromoplastic®

The first pair of SKS fenders I put on lasted 16 or 18 years (long enough for SKS to buy the production line).

You want my take on metal fenders? See Fenders for my 55mm x 700c tires ?

I'd take metal fenders if Velo-Orange or Jan Heine would install them for me, 'cause they do look nice. I'd pay someone $100-150 to put them on if they'd do it for a firm fixed price. I would not pay anyone an hourly rate for installation, and I'm going to use SKS fenders for all my future fender needs.

I haven't had metal fenders since I was riding an old Raleigh Superbe I bought at an antique store. Several sets of plastic fenders between then and now.

I just took the rear fender off my son's bike - it was rubbing and he ignored it for too long and the tire wore through the metal bracket, the plastic remains unscathed.

If they're going to be more or less permanent, I vote for metal, just because IME they are much quieter once you get them properly fitted -- and yes, the installation is a bigger pain. As far as durability, I've only had my plastic SKS Longboards for five years, but they show zero signs of degradation so far.

Metal fenders generalized aren't harder to put on but there are a couple (VO) that are tough.

I noticed that you are in Colorado where I gather the sun in summers is pretty intense. Do you park the bike outside in the direct sun? Is that what caused the plastic to go brittle and crack?

I had the luxury of indoor parking for my bikes at work. So they only saw direct sun during rides or short times parked on racks at stores. But my plastic fenders were still in pretty well original condition after 12 to 15 years of use. Only actual physical damage in a couple of cases caused me to have to do anything with them.

I can recommend stainless steel by Berthoud.
The aluminum or brass by Honjo look good, but I have no experience with their durability.