Fender choices
 

I am curious to know the reasoning taken by most on this thread in regards to fenders. People here build up these beautiful bikes for commuting and install funny looking hard mounted plastic fenders on them. Are these fenders better than the clip on fenders that I have on my bike (see below). With all the posts I read where people are having trouble fitting the hard mounted ones, I would think the clip ons would be more popular. I enjoy removing mine on nice days and putting them in my backpack so the bike don't look like a grocery getter.

Matty in Brooklyn

I personally think those clip-on fenders look silly, not that looks really matter in this situation. Don't get me wrong, I care about how my bike looks, but not at the sake of utility. Full fenders, with dedicated stays provide just the durability and coverage that I need on my commute. Anything less, and I'd be taking on much more water.

Actually, you are correct. They do look silly. Maybe as silly as the mounted ones. That is why I like mine: They pop right off when silly time (wet time) is over and go into my bag.

Matty in Brooklyn

Those clip-ons aren't nearly as effective in keeping the slop off you and your drivetrain as full fenders. It also takes like 5 minutes to take off a pair of fenders, if I wanted to, which I don't. The permanent mount fenders also definitely look better than those things pictured in the OP.

Permanent mounted fenders > clip on fenders > no fenders

Wood or metal permanent fenders look awesome. Clip ons are the equivalent of a bad toupe instead of shaving ones head.

Cool. Thanks for the replies.

Matty in Brooklyn

Also, if you live in a high bike density area, full fenders = good karma. Those clip-on ones tend to get the person riding behind you soaked, filthy, and cursing you and all your works.

It's not really the rain that's an issue, it's the standing water left in the areas where there are depressions after the rain that are the real issue. That's the junk I don't want to spray all over my bike and myself. That's particularly the case since I usually commute in my work clothes.

Also consider this, with that high of a riser stem is there any way that your bike isn't going to be mistaken for a grocery getter? The only thing I'd think of if I saw that bike without full fenders is that it's actually missing something integral for a utility bike..

Full fenders just work better.

And, no offense matty, but even without your clip ons, your bike still looks a bit like a "grocery getter".

Hmmm... picking on my bike?? That's OK, I can take it. I purpose built this bike to suit my riding style. I call it "Mountain Biking meets Alt Bike Culture"

Matty in Brooklyn

PS: If water off my tires are getting you wet, then your too close, so BACK OFF!

haha

Matty in Brooklyn

Matty, your bike does not look like a "grocery getter", it has disc brakes.

What's wrong with grocery getters, anyway?

Thank you for coming to my defense. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to peddle down to the Piggly-Wiggly for some beer.

haha

Matty in Brooklyn

Nothing at all is wrong with "grocery getters". I picked up groceries today on my bike! (Fully outfitted with a rack and fenders.)

Of course, being more of a "road" bike, if I chose to strip off the extra stuff, it looks a little bit less like a grocery getter than matty's bike does. Of course, I don't choose to take that stuff off.

I wasn't picking on your bike matty, I was just saying it looks like a grocery getter anyway. When you're posting in the commuter forum that's not necessarily an insult...it would be perhaps over in the road forum.

Please bring me a PBR. :D

Here's a pic showing results of my bike playing pickup sticks yesterday. Fender shattered into 3 pieces, but what was left kept me fairly dry for the ride home. Your clip-ons won't have this problem! Don

matt, why do you think proper fenders are 'funny looking'? That bike is a bit of a pink elephant....even with disc brakes, its going to look a bit funny to a lot of riders that ride bikes that fit them well.

A bike with proper fenders does not look funny except to the uninitiated. proper fenders ARE better than the abbreviated ones you've got. you'll figure it out soon enough.

No worries, enjoy your new ride!

I agree, it is commuting.
Also no one took offense to you saying that full fenders aren't that great.

Well I am glad about that since I was not trying to offend anyone.

Matty in Brooklyn

The reason is that the snap on fenders don't keep you or the bike dry or clean.
The full coverage fenders with a good mud flap on the front fender can do that.

+1 on all the "they give better coverage" answers. I have one bike which is good for all situations - it has a rack, with panniers permanently mounted, a saddlebag, wide-enough tyres, permanently mounted fenders, light mounts - there's no commuting situation I won't use it in. If the weather is good, or the route is not too potholed, or I don't need to leave it locked outside, then I might take my track bike, or my vintage roadie, or my chrome single speed, but no matter what, old faithful is there and ready to go, no thought necessary. 1 bike is never enough.

Full coverage fenders are not as funny looking as clip ons. And they suck less. If you want beautiful fenders that are full coverage, get a set of these:

http://woodysfenders.com/products.php

I have a pair, and it's the best thing I ever bought for my bike other than lights.

Wait a minute! I need lights too? I use a cigarette lighter.

haha

Matty in Brooklyn

My front fender on my Trek 800 is actually from a '59 Schwinn traveler 3 speed. it's chrome and a little fancy looking and does the job well. I added a home made mudflap today to help keep my toes dry when I turn. If I never had full fenders I'd say "what's the big deal?" and be happy to have clip ons (if I had them) but once you have full fenders it's hard to imagine life without them. I guess it kinda relates to the theory of "relative poverty" I learned about in my sociology class. And, you adjust to more/better conditions easier than you do going back to what you had before, even if you were happy with it in the past.
And if someone is going to go through the trouble of stealing my bolted on fender they have to want it much more than I do

My bike came with the best fenders ever: None. They are a waste unless you ride with other people, then you should have them for common courtesy.

full fenders, esp. w/ an additional mudflap hanging off the front, do a much better job of keeping the crankset clear(er).