Flat Fenders, opinions Please (im using curved now)
 

Ive been running fenders for a long time. at present Im using curved stainless 40MM with 28CM tires.

I tried installing 32s on my custom tour frame but the front fork clearance with fenders is too tight for 32s unless everything is perfect and no way 35. I dont want to cob a set of split fenders or dremel a new wider set.

Im thinking FLAT fenders would allow bigger tires , so I made a mock up with card board , and it appears Id be able to use a 32 or even a 35 with flat fenders.

anyone using flat fenders?? do they work at least 80% of curved?? curved look better But if I want bigger tires its new a custom fork $300.00 + or flat fenders for $40.00.

"John"

I use flat fenders on my touring bike, for the simple reason that I put them on at one point and am too lazy to switch them for different ones. Coverage obviously isn't as good as normal, curved fenders, but they still work for me (though the sides of my panniers get dirtier than on my other bikes).

The shape of your fork crown/junction and your ability to file down the sides of the fender there would probably be your limiting factors - I use a set of Woody's Custom Fenders (made of some plain, brown-ish wood, Sapele maybe?) and had no issue filing down the fenders at the fork to get them in.

Solid plastic fenders like Planet Bikes you can take a heat gun and dimple them to fit in some instances. Has to do that on my M400 to get the 26x1.95's to fit.

I'm surprised you have a tour frame that won't fit 32s with fenders. My present ride has flat fenders that are metal and they bend way too easy. Had a mild spill and the front fender bent and can't seem to bend it back to original, still off a bit. Never had that problem with Planet Bike fenders. the fenders I have came with the bike, I thought they were cool looking and added a ruggedness since they're metal. I'll be getting rid of them eventually as in reality they're just not very rugged.

Got any pics of 'em?

Because "flat" fenders (you're talking about ones that still follow the shape of the wheel longitudinally but aren't 'domed', right??) are not as stable, they rattle far more. Perhaps worse than that, the rear fender, unless reinforced well, will slap against the rear tire when riding on rough surfaces/potholed streets.

Eventually (I had this happen), a little groove was worn in the aluminum fender from repeatedly slapping the tire. Where did all that metal go??? It may be coincidence, but my rear tire blew out. This wasn't a cheapo stock tire either (kevlar belted Panaracer Pasela Tourguard). It was enough to get me to put a "proper" fender on the rear.

I think "flat" fenders are meant to by stylistically appealing but far inferior to traditional fenders.

By flat fenders, do you mean something like this?

http://bikehugger.com/images/blog/soulville_sm-1.jpg

Is the underside of your fork crown flat or rounded?
Sometimes you need to jig around with the bracket to raise them to the max, either file the slot a bit or bend the top out to avoid interfering with the headset race. You then need to install them with 4 hands, pressing up on the fender as you tighten the bolt.

No halfway decent pics, but you can check out his website at http://woodysfenders.com.

Stiff enough, don't get any more rattling than on plastic (SKS), steel (VO, Berthoud), or aluminum (VO) fenders I use on other bikes. No problem with wheel/fender contact either, and I ride some terrible, terrible streets. Might be more issues with cheap aluminum fenders that have significantly more flex in them.

My Jamis Aurora came with flat fenders. I haven't ridden in sloppy weather, so I cannot comment on their protective qualities, but am glad to have *some* coverage.

That said, the bike accidentally tipped over once at a standstill and the fender cut my leg as the front wheel twisted on its way down. I don't want to think about the potential for injury in a "moving fall". (YMMV of course.)