badmother

I am working on a 1981 Gitane mixte that is going to be my commuter / main bike. I am going to use 622x32 tyres most of the time.

It came to me black and I am repainting black w.o decals. It came with good stainless fenders, but since they were quite dented I put some other fenders on. They are not long enough on the front wheel, and therefor the drivetrain got quite dirty, so I am redoing it for this summer.

Came with long stainless fenders, 4 cm wide, dented. 622x32 tyres.
Used last summer black plastic fenders, 4 cm wide, front to short. 622x32 tyres.
Bought today black plastic fenders 5 cm wide. Not sure if long enough but I am putting a mudflap. 622x32 tyres.

What I wanted to ask is:
1. Is there going to be more drag (resistance) from the wind with the wider fenders?
2. Is the extra benefit of wider fenders going to make it worth the extra drag?

I could of course set up one bad weather bike, but I find that often I am cought in ran without knowing when I left home, so I am not sure if it is going to work. Approx 1/3 to 1/4 of my riding is on dustroad. I am thinking of going maximum 30 km roundtrips on this bike. I`ve got other bikes to use if I want to go further.

The original fenders are great but not so good looking, and I am not sure if I can fix them. Also I think this bike look better in all black.

What do you think?

ok_commuter

1. No
2. What? I said NO EXTRA DRAG.

Your fenders should be at least 10mm wider than your widest tire. I'd go with 45s if they'll fit.

Haven't you heard, they make your bike MORE aero, not LESS (or so "they" say).

cyclefreaksix

We're talking a few mm's diference in fender width, you won't notice any additional drag.

I_bRAD

If you go with the widest you can fit, you have the best possible protection no matter the tire.

cyclefreaksix

That's a good point. Go with the widest fender you can and you won't have to worry if you go to a wider tire in the future.

ok_commuter

Fail. You want him/her rolling around with a wide-ass fender and a skinny tire? How very Fred.

Dude - you have to buy a set of fenders for every set of tires. Think "Economic Stimulus".

badmother

I am not going skinnyer tyres for this bike. I`ve got other bikes w skinnyer tyres/fenders and also no fenders.

CliftonGK1

I switch between 35mm studs in the winter and 28mm slicks when the snow's gone. I have 1 pair of fenders: SKS P-45. Wide enough for the 35mm tire, and great coverage so I don't get any spray coming from the 28mm in the rain. I was running P-35 fenders, but they weren't wide enough to keep from getting some spray, no matter how close I could adjust them.

OP - I'm not saying you need to run a pair of 65mm fenders on your 32mm tires, but a pair of 45mm isn't going to cause any noticeable issues (aside from ok_commuter calling you Fred)

Square & Compas

On an all steel Gitane drag caused from fenders are the least of your concerns. If I am not mistaken they were heavy bikes. At least the one my wife had and the one my father in law still has were. The frame alone weighs in at something like 20+ pounds.

Square & Compas

If you want good fenders at a good price and help cycling advocacy at the same time check these guys out; http://www.planetbike.com/page/

You should also order from your local bike shop, got to keep those guys in business too.

mickey85

What's the deal with all this drag/wide tires, etc speak? It's a COMMUTER. You're not running the Alpe de Huez, you're going to work.

I_bRAD

My mistake, I thought he was looking for useful cycling advice, not fashion advice. I think I've seen you around town- you're the cool guy with muddy feet right and a stripe up his back, right?

ok_commuter

I run my 45mm fenders with my 25mm tires all the time. I only have the one set of fenders and never take them off. It's Super Fred and I Love It.

ok_commuter

I forgot that I have to use some silly emoticon at the end of posts that are obviously jokes, just in case some drooling mouth breather misses the funny.

roadfix

I like my commuter to look good too. That means fenders/tires must be matched.

CliftonGK1

Hey, somebody's gotta take over since Style Man isn't writing his column for Buy-Cycling magazine any more.

ok_commuter

However wide you choose, just make sure they're longer than this:

http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/1042819771.html

mickey85

Put real-sized fenders on it, and that thing would be HOT. I'd ride that thing all over the place...

No way I'd spend $500 on that turd though. MAYBE $175-200.

ok_commuter

I thought so too, and I'm a little immune to beautiful fixie/ss bikes b/c I see 50 a day on my way in to work.

There was a hot red 1988 De Rosa frame on Austin CL for a week or so. I think the guy wanted a bit much for it considering it had a strange mix of Deore and other components. I lowballed an offer to him b/c it had short horizontal dropouts with that classic De Rosa diamon-shaped chrome dropout section. Would have made the absolute category-killer fixie. Not that I'm into that sort of thing...

badmother

Not this one . Not a super light one but absolutely light enough and great. I remowed the steel crank / chainwheel and bars for alu, 3 piece for a more hybrid type gearing. Light great alu whels.

badmother

Agree. I used it for some time last year to find out if I wanted to use it. Decided "yes" and I am stripping it down to repaint (terribly chipped) black. This is one of the reasons I wanted new fenders, I think black / black looked great. Got a honey B72 for it today.