I don't use fenders at all, but I do use wheel fairings. They look exactly the same as fenders, but they reduce aerodynamic drag, so I am faster with them.;)

If you live where it rains once or more a week fenders are great. I'd suggest planet bike or Freddy.

+1 on the Gilles Berthoud. I added them to my Paramount commuter. I got them from Peter White cycles. The only mounting issue was the rear fender is designed to be used with a touring bike that has a threaded brake bridge. I used part od an SKS sliding mount and attached it to the fender so I could mount it over the brake mounting nut.

[IMG]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ikePics173.jpg[/IMG]

I can't imagine commuting without them and when I get my touring bike built up I'll probably buy a nice set for it to. Never had a problem with 'em and once they're on the bike I rarely notice, except in the rain:D

I love 'em. Proper full-coverage fenders, not the craptastic RaceBlades. I'll mount them on the commuter in October and they'll stay on until May.

I have fenders on my bike and I don't think they slow me down much. Full coverage Panelt bike from MEC, I can still do 48kph and keep up with the roadie who I see on my ride home. At least till my body gives out and I have to slow down or he turns.

I have always just accepted my fenders, and tweaked them some to try to keep the drivetrain cleaner (extend mudflap, yadda yadda), but first really *appreciated* them on a commute on my new mtn bike w/ no fenders. Through one mud puddle, shazaam boy was I filthy and wet all over.

It's one of those things - after you get them - you think, "How did I ever live without them?"

There's no way fenders would change the handling of your bike unless they're rubbing on your tires or some such thing. And any slow-down they'd cause would be due to an infintesimal weight increase. If you're using your bike for practical purposes like commuting, I can see no reason not to have fenders on it. Just my opinion of course.

My commuter bike is required to have them, otherwise I would not consider it a commuter.
Good full coverage fenders mount securely and should not affect your handling. They do produce a little more drag but it is fairly small.
Craig

regarding speed -- you might actually gain some overall speed cause you don't slow down or dodge puddles!

:~)

I'm not sure what's to hate about them. When it's wet they keep me clean, the rest of the time they're just there.
The only way I know they're there is if I look. As others have said, if your fenders rattle, fix them, they're not installed right or they're crap.

I have Freddies on my mt-b.; when I first put them on I had horrible rubbing problems with the front, once I changed the knobbies out for some narrower slicks they've worked great. My wife says that the fenders together with the extra long mudflaps and uber stink I make when riding disguise me as a homeless man :D Fenders are also a great location to attatch reflectors. Mine are coated in the reflective tape sold at automotive stores.

You aren't alone. I only put them on when I have to and, thankfully, Denver's climate is such that using them is rarely a necessity. My commuter bike and my commuting mountain bike both have them right not (it's been a moderately crappy winter and last year was a severely crappy winter:() but they will be coming off probably in a month.

Personally, I hate the way they look, the way they sound when rocks get trapped in them, the hassle they cause when trying to load a bike without the front wheel into a car and the way that they jab me when I'm trying to hold the bike and attach a rack trunk.

Thankfully, Denver's rain system is of the "cow peeing on a flat rock" variety (Thanks, Dad:o), i.e. a whole lot in a little amount of time and then it dries up in about 10 minutes, so I don't need them all the time.

Mine don't bother me, so I leave them on year-round.
 

My main bike has been fendered since I bought it some four or five years ago. It has SKS fenders and mud flaps that keep the drivetrain cleaner, as well as my shoes and pants.

Sweet!, I have been looking for some decent metal fenders for a build I am doing, the fluted ones are perfect.

fenders: i use planet bike on tourer, but commuter i have rear clip-on and front i use custom-cut 1 gallon plastic milk jug peice. i bought this performance through 'cybercyclery' and did not know the front fork was slightly bent, so standard fenders don't fit.
for commuting or touring, and even on my 'bent, i use fenders. a world of difference when it's wet out!