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In Praise of Fenders

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In Praise of Fenders

Old 04-12-22, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by datlas
I had a very wet commute home last night....medium amount of rain and temps around 40F. The roads were all covered in water.

Luckily I had (finally) finished installing the fenders on my SS commuter...and the ride home was actually pleasant. It was late, about 8:30PM, so there was minimal traffic. I took my time, especially on corners....and luckily had a waterproof jacket and booties on....so I was fairly dry and comfy. The experience was actually relaxing and refreshing, almost zenlike.

If I did not have my fenders, I know I would have been a miserable wet mess.
and the person behind you too. I always thought fenders were a requirement in civilization. Out where I live now they are optional… but I do bike in town regularly so I keep them on.

Remember: “No front fender = I H8 myself, no rear fender means I H8 everyone including myself”!🤣
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Old 04-12-22, 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
I leave my fenders on all year. It was funny, because during STP it was blazing sun and in the upper 90s, and I'm cranking along with my fenders on. A guy from one of the eastern WA clubs was joking with me and said "it's sure a good thing you've got those fenders on there today", and I told him it was to protect my tires from sun damage. I'm not sure if he thought I was serious or not.
funny I am considering doing STP this year and was just wondering if I should leave my fenders on or not. But if irritates the “serious bikers”… well on they shall stay!
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Old 04-12-22, 10:11 PM
  #53  
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On the ride that inspired me to revive this thread, the guy who was “leading” the ride wheel sucked me through a tight, windy section with no shoulder and moderate traffic (i.e single file riding). I asked if he was doing OK and he replied, “Why do you think I’m following you?”
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Old 04-15-22, 02:26 AM
  #54  
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With fenders on, I tend to seek out puddles; puddles are fun.
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Old 04-18-22, 07:19 AM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by datlas
Wow, my first Zombie thread!

I got an email notification, which means it's a really old thread because I turned off notifications pretty soon after I joined up. So my first thought was that a spammer had bumped the thread.

Not sure I have any other contributions to the thread, but I had some dreams about fenders last night so they must be important to me.
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Old 04-23-22, 08:45 AM
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I love fenders because they keep my drivetrain last alot longer
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Old 06-28-22, 09:27 PM
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guess it may "look" ugly for the people
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Old 06-28-22, 10:02 PM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by starkmojo
funny I am considering doing STP this year and was just wondering if I should leave my fenders on or not. But if irritates the “serious bikers”… well on they shall stay!
I'm doing STP this year. I have struggled with leaving my fenders on or taking them off for the ride. I have the Portland Design Works full metal fenders on my 2013 Cannondale Synapse. I guess some purists might make a smart remark about the fenders, but I do like the idea of protecting the drive train from road grit throughout the 200+ miles down to Portland. I'm currently training with the fenders on, cause, you know...it's the PNW. I don't really notice the fenders while riding so I'll probably keep them on.
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Old 06-29-22, 03:38 PM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by datlas
I had a very wet commute home last night....medium amount of rain and temps around 40F. The roads were all covered in water.

Luckily I had (finally) finished installing the fenders on my SS commuter...and the ride home was actually pleasant. It was late, about 8:30PM, so there was minimal traffic. I took my time, especially on corners....and luckily had a waterproof jacket and booties on....so I was fairly dry and comfy. The experience was actually relaxing and refreshing, almost zenlike.

If I did not have my fenders, I know I would have been a miserable wet mess.
In the words of the Bike Snob of New York, fenders are important because it is probably urine.
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Old 07-07-22, 05:27 AM
  #60  
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Did a 49-mile gravel ride then 20-mile pavement commute home this Sunday. It poured before and briefly rained a few times during. The commute was at the end of another rain storm. It’s a little hard to tell from this photo, but my friends have rain jackets on because of the rain and mud. I just wore my wool Cino jersey and didn’t even have to wash it when done.

1984 Stumpjumper Sport with VO fenders:



Trail Grooming:

Out west it’s not urine, it’s more likely bear scat or horse pucky this time of year.
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Old 07-10-22, 01:04 AM
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I realized that fenders protect me from dirty water and without fenders, the dirty water can easily stain my clothes while the rain water from the sky will not stain my clothes.
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Old 07-15-22, 01:16 PM
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To be a real commuter, you have to have mudguards on your bike. Their absence is a clear indication you are a clear weather cyclist or hardcore roady.
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Old 07-23-22, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by jfouellette
To be a real commuter, you have to have mudguards on your bike. Their absence is a clear indication you are a clear weather cyclist or hardcore roady.
Or you just haven't discovered the advantages of fenders. I rode for years without them and heard they help, but I didn't believe the difference was significant. I would get wet and dirty. I discovered what a difference they make long ago. Now I prefer to have them, of course.
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Old 07-23-22, 04:24 PM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by jfouellette
To be a real commuter, you have to have mudguards on your bike. Their absence is a clear indication you are a clear weather cyclist or hardcore roady.
Sacramento has a historical average 300 days a year of fair weather and the 65 are in the late fall to early spring when it's dark and there are a lot of holidays. There are six months from mid April to mid October when it almost never rains at all. But we are not hitting that historical average. Our last three years have had 47%, 54%, and 87% of the average rain.

We also here mostly want to see more people riding bikes and setting rules about who's doing sincerely enough like Linus and the Great Pumpkin is unhelpful
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Old 07-28-22, 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by cyclefreaksix
I used to find fenders ugly looking and vowed to never run 'em on my bike. One long very wet and cold slog home changed my mind very quickly.
Nothing beats fenders, a basket and a kickstand on the commuter bike. Oh lock and helmet too!

gm
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