I have a pair of Bleumels plastic fenders that I bought in about 1985. I haven't ridden with them every day, by any stretch, but they've held up quite admirably. Without looking to get "the best" I think I've noticed that plastic fenders hold up better than metal fenders. They don't dent. They just get out of the way when whacked.

Prices on fenders are a bit dismaying, and money is tight this summer. I'd like to buy another pair, as I now have five bikes, but I'll hold off for now.

If you had to buy fenders for a bike, what would you buy? The aluminum ones that Velo Orange has look great, but they can dent, right? And I'm thinking I actually like the look of plastic fenders better!

Even Grant Peterson advocates plastic fenders.

GRANT PETERSON.

my planet bike fenders are fine. I think my new commuter is getting wood fenders for fun.

I think the idea of a metal fender is much better than the reality, for the reasons you mentioned. I just purchased and installed a set of SKS's 700x35 fenders over the top of 700x28c tires. It wasn't the easiest installation, but the fit is clean and tight.

Plastic fenders are both inexpensive and practical. They're easy to live with in all weather conditions too. I own and installed SKS and Planet Bike fenders and would rate the quality of the SKS fenders and hardware only slightly higher than Planet Bikes, but the SKS installation was more challenging.

If I could only have one set, it would be SKS. They didn't install as easy as the Planet Bike fenders, but you only install once so I'd recommend you grit your teeth and get through it, then enjoy 'em for the long haul.

I only buy Planet Bike with the extra long fender flaps. The best part about Planet Bike isn't the best in class quality, it's the great customer service. They have ALL the little parts on-line and you can order direct, no waiting for the LBS to get around to helping out!

I've been happy with my Velo Orange aluminum fenders, and they're so far unblemished after 10 months of all-weather commuting, plus some rail-trail riding. The only problems I've had are related to the minimal fender clearance of my frame (Salsa Casseroll). I'd probably have these same problems with plastic fenders.

However, to be honest I chose these for form over function; I've also used Planet Bike fenders on both a tourer and a tandem, and found them to be very effective and durable.

Perhaps my poor experience with Planet Bike fenders came too early, before they came out with newer designs. It's been at least 4 or 5 years. But since then I've always gone with Zefal fenders and been happy.

I run SKS thermoplastic ones. Zero complaints.

Plastic sure does seem durable. I had a pair of older planet bike fenders that got caught in the wheel, bent completely in half and tore out a rivet. I just bent them back replaced the rivet, and no one would know.

Yeah, my next set is likely to be wood. Purely for fun.

Heh.

Well, recall the bikes of the 1960's and before. All bikes had fenders. Then the bike weenies decided fenders were for dorks. I got into cycling in the 70's, and I, too, thought all be-fendered bikes looked doofy. Oh, the weight! Oh the aerodynamic drag!

I took a three-month tour of Europe in 1981 on my racing bike, loaded with luggage. (A 1981 Peugeot PXN-10.) Some British people said, "I don't know how you can do that without mudguards." And I realized he was right. A lot of club riders use lightweight mudguards, as they call them, and though they have more rain that we do, it's really silly not to have them unless you live in the desert.

My fenders were made by Bleumels. Are they still in business?

I just installed some Berthoud stainless fender which seem pretty tough. They took a bit of work to install and it definitely has something to do with aesthetics, but they look great and are completely completely silent.

I have stock plastic fenders on my Jamis Commuter and a set of Planet Bike fenders on my back up bike as well. I agree that the stamped aluminum ones from Velo Orange look schweet, but I'm looking for everyday functional; not dressing up a classic.

https://www.rei.com/product/723098

The only problem with plastic fenders is limited lifetime. The plastic will get brittle and crack. My SKS fenders cracked through after 4 years, with NO physical damage to the fender and NO significant Sun exposure, but I keep them together with tape right now.

I have SKS on one bike and PB's on the other. Not a single complaint about either brand.

Now those Anodized VO's do look sweet and I may be in the market for another set soon.

As I said, I bought mine in 1985, and they show no signs of cracking whatsoever. They're stained with grime, and that's all.

+ 1 for Planet Bike. They're very affordable, well made, work as advertised and PB is a great company as noted elsewhere (and they donate an unsual portion of their income to bike advocacy and such)

My two main commuter bikes have SKS P45 fenders covering 700-35 tires. I added the PB Cascadia long mud flaps to the front fenders of both to add extra coverage. This keeps the front tire from throwing a lot of dirt and sand into the front chainring. The main reason I leave fenders on my bikes year round here in the arid climate zone of Orange County, CA is to keep dirt out of the chain and off my bike. I commute 5 days a week, about 29 miles a day. It makes a big difference if I leave fenders on the bike because otherwise the chain would get coated with grit in just a few days. I can ride 2 or 3 weeks between chain cleanings with fenders and flaps. The front fender also keeps dirt out of the lower headset. I have never cleaned or adjusted the headset on my Rivendell Atlantis, and it has gone well over 20k miles.

I agree, the velo orange fenders look great. I might try them the next time I need fenders, but the 6 year old SKS on my Atlantis look just fine.

My fenders are SKS Raceblades. They don't provide coverage like full fenders, but do very well in all except the heaviest of downpours. The thing I like is that I'm able to swap them from bike to bike. I've got 3 different commuters I use. They were 45.00 w/o shipping on a special deal from nashbar.com. They're about 3 years old and holding up real well. The front 'rooster-tails' off the tire a bit...I'd rather there be a little coverage beyond the fork crown, but all in all I'm happy with them.

Love my Planet Bike fenders. Actually, I'm impressed by all my Planet Bike gear, good company.

Most of my bikes have fenders... none are porn worthy but they work well.

I just installed a pair of Zefals on my winter / beater bike, have PB fenders on my longbike and Trek hybrid, and the fenders on my fixed mtb tourer are nameless but have held up really well.

I have always liked Zefal plastic fenders and PB fenders have also become a favourite as I have intalled countless sets for customers and never had a complaint.

On the other side... my old Peugeot still has it;s original aluminium fenders, and my Rudge and Phillip's Twenty have their stock painted steel fenders.

I have Bluemels on my '55 Lenton and these are the most fragile fenders I have as they are very very old but even then... they have no issues. The black Bluemels seem the most prone to breakage as the material is less stable.

"Dents" on fenders may be a problem on bikes that are for showing; no problem on bikes that are for going.
The OEM fenders on my bikes are dented and dirty and still work just fine, as designed.

I have the Planet Bike Cascadias (silver) on my LHT. I believe the silver ones are a hard plastic over aluminum (thus making them silver or grey).

Truthfully I think fenders look dorky, but I keep them on anyways. And of right now it is thundering, lightning, and raining. Needless to say, i'm glad their on (I'll worry about my image later ).

I used Planet Bike fenders on my commuter down in Boston. No complaints, other than the forward mounting clip for the rear fender at the bottom bracket did not come even close to fitting the chainstay bridge on my old c-dale mtn frame. Zip tie fixed that.

Currently running VO smooth aluminum fenders on my main commuter. I like them better than the PB fenders. Longer, so more coverage, especially up front -- dry feet are good... I like the fact that you drill your own mounting holes to fit your own bike. Hint: swap out any nuts they send with the mounting hardware for nylock nuts, or apply threadlocker. 1000 mi on the fenders, one bent from loading it in a car, and I bent it back; once, some hardware came loose on the road and I had to kludge a fix (zip tie) until I could get a new nut for it; I just went over all mounting points during a complete bike overhaul to take care of some rattles a year later. Bike is silent now, and still looking way classy with the metal fenders. ...which don't cost as much as some plastic ones...

I'm sold on metal fenders, will probably use them on any commuting bike I put together.

Yeah, I learned the Loctite lesson the hard way with my VOs as well.