I just got back into cycling with the intent of generally keeping my car parked and the bike rolling. I picked up a used Surly LHT complete and I am slowly getting back into the saddle and riding.

Since it will be a commuter, I was going to put fenders on it. I found a set of SKS P45s on Amazon for $20! Occasionally, I have to remove the front wheel. Is it tough to get the wheels on and off with fender? It seems the rear fender would be much more functional than the front.

Is it a terrible idea to just run the rear fender and leave the front off?

That is an outstanding price. Hopefully shipping won't kill the deal as these things are expensive to ship.

I can't vouch for the LHT but I have these on my Trek 7.3FX and have no problems getting the tires off.

I would put the front fender on myself. It helps keep the shoes dry.

Front fenders don't really make the front wheel any more difficult to remove. They don't need to extend very far past the front fork so you can easily move the front wheel down and forward once it's removed from the QR.

You need something on the front without a doubt.

Getting the wheel off won't be so much of a problem as the fact the fenders will make the bike less compact obviously when you do take it off. I assume you are taking the wheel off for portability?

I say heck with the good deal available and get something practical for your needs. Maybe a clip on type fender for the front.

Since it will be a commuter, I was going to put fenders on it. I found a set of SKS P45s on Amazon for $20! Occasionally, I have to remove the front wheel.


1) Is it tough to get the wheels on and off with fender? It seems the rear fender would be much more functional than the front.

If the fenders are installed properly and the right size getting a wheel off is no different with a fender than without. and having enough room for fenders on a LHT should be a non issue

2) Is it a terrible idea to just run the rear fender and leave the front off?

Actually your front is more important than the rear one (Ill always run both) a rear rack that has a solid top can substitute as a rear fender. the front however keeps road crud off your chain/chainwheels, feet and downtube and sheds lots of water when you ride through puddles especially if using a long mudflap.

I use a very long leather flap in the front thats onLy a few inches off the road.

hope this helped
"John"

+1 to everything JohnJ said.

I run P-45 fenders on my CrossCheck and I love 'em.

+2 to John

I got race blades to deal with some of these issues. They go off in about 15 seconds and on in about a minute. Though I do miss the full coverage rear fender (but not too much since full fenders are on my other bike ) The race blades were a steal though 11 bucks!!!

Where did you score that deal??

Yes, it's a terrible idea. The front wheel throws water onto your crankset and frame, onto your person, and in a huge arc up in front of the bike, which you then travel through - that is, onto your face! It isn't any more difficult to remove the front wheel with a front fender, provided you have the proper mounting points on your fork, or can improvise them. (easy to do)

if need to take off the front for transportation/storage and that is why you want to go with out a front fender, you can trim off the front part of the fender flush with the bike.

I have only had my fenders a week and only today got into any wet weather. It was awesome to have them today. I waited out the storm but the streets were still pretty wet. My shoes stayed dry and the bike stayed remarkably clean. Rinsed the tires off with the garden hose and put it up as clean as it was when I left this morning

I have a few spots where I have to run through some sand and dirt. My Chain was really getting fouled to the point I was cleaning it almost every weekend. The fenders have cut down on the grunge the chain was picking up by 75-80%.

Very happy with my purchase even at $30 at REI. I would have save $5 at Performance but burned that in gas getting there and back.

Before I heard about you guys using leather flaps I used 2 liter pop bottle plastic to make up fender extensions or flaps. To attach them I drill four small holes and use two small size zip ties to attach the flap. Clear for most uses and the odd time I'll use 7Up green...

Either way +10 or wherever we are up to for what John said. If it's wet on even a semi regular basis in your area you want good fenders both front and rear. The clipon ones work in a pinch but nothing beats the protection of close fitting proper fenders with extension mud flaps on the front at least.

No, that will allow the tire to spray a plume of water up in front of you, which can be blown into your face. It doesn't take any more time to remove a fender than it does to remove a wheel, so if you anticipate the need to do that just carry the screwdriver with you. No need to mutilate the fender.

I don't think the front fender would get in the way of wheel removal; I'm not sure how it even could.

Given a choice I'd install the front fender only; I have a rack in the back that stopped most of the rear spray (not all - I still want the rear fender).

You really want to make a mud flap for the front fender too - keeps your feet much drier.

OK, I installed the fenders today... what a pain. The instructions were basically non-existent. But it went on. I see what you mean about the front fender now. I thought it would be a half circle like the rear one, but it isn't. It isn't in the way at all.

The rear rack went on too. What a pain again. It was a Blackburn Expedition rack. Wow. I think it is on there now, and not going anywhere. Are all racks like that to put on? Keep in mind this was my first one, too.