Fender Question
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Bikes: Fuji
Fender Question
I have a fender question.
Which ones does everybody like? Normally, I'm anti-fender just based on where I live (Orange County, California) as it doesn't rain enough to justify it. Well, that changed today as my pants seemed to have gained 5 pounds of water and my shoes changed to sponges. I'm determined to be an all weather commuter when it is safe to do so (I'll drive if there is hail, thunder and lightening, flash flood warnings etc).
I wouldn't say it was raining hard, but it was a consistent steady rain, enough for me to remove my sunglasses to see better, and add a front light so others can see me better. I'd prefer something where I can add or remove quickly as I'd only need them in the rain or threat of rain. My tires are 25s.
Many thanks in advance!
Edit - I forgot to mention, I have 2 bikes and would like to be able to move the fenders between them if I need too. So that is why I'd prefer the quick install ones.
Which ones does everybody like? Normally, I'm anti-fender just based on where I live (Orange County, California) as it doesn't rain enough to justify it. Well, that changed today as my pants seemed to have gained 5 pounds of water and my shoes changed to sponges. I'm determined to be an all weather commuter when it is safe to do so (I'll drive if there is hail, thunder and lightening, flash flood warnings etc).
I wouldn't say it was raining hard, but it was a consistent steady rain, enough for me to remove my sunglasses to see better, and add a front light so others can see me better. I'd prefer something where I can add or remove quickly as I'd only need them in the rain or threat of rain. My tires are 25s.
Many thanks in advance!

Edit - I forgot to mention, I have 2 bikes and would like to be able to move the fenders between them if I need too. So that is why I'd prefer the quick install ones.
Last edited by snowman40; 11-04-11 at 11:19 AM.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Bianchi San Remo - set up as a utility bike, Peter Mooney Road bike, Peter Mooney commute bike,Dahon Folder,Schwinn Paramount Tandem
I have two bikes with fenders. One bike has the planet bike cascadia touring fenders, which are black, ugly, functional, and durable.
A second bike had the Honjo fluted aluminium fenders, which are shiney, pretty, and less ****ional than the PB fenders - the aluminium is too soft of a material to hold up long term, after about 5,000 miles, the mounting holes enlarged through vibration until the fenders were no longer practical and I swapped them out for some polished stainless steel fenders, which are not quite as pretty, but hopefully more durable.
My suggestion would be to mount the fenders on one bike, and leave them there. In OC it doesn't rain often, and you can just ride the fenderized bike when it is wet.
A second bike had the Honjo fluted aluminium fenders, which are shiney, pretty, and less ****ional than the PB fenders - the aluminium is too soft of a material to hold up long term, after about 5,000 miles, the mounting holes enlarged through vibration until the fenders were no longer practical and I swapped them out for some polished stainless steel fenders, which are not quite as pretty, but hopefully more durable.
My suggestion would be to mount the fenders on one bike, and leave them there. In OC it doesn't rain often, and you can just ride the fenderized bike when it is wet.
#3
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Thing is the ones that are quick mount wont come down far enough
behind the front wheel.
to have a mud flap, so as to not have your feet not in the wheel spray.
once you have strut to bolt mounted mudguards on and adjusted,
they are simple to remove, and store.. no more difficult than mending a puncture.
perhaps, pick a bike of the fleet to have the mudguards stay on,
and another one for when you want the racy thing look.
Up North the opposite is true, I have to make a conscious choice ,
to take the road bike , without the fenders, out, for a sporting spin.
every other one has mudguards.
behind the front wheel.
to have a mud flap, so as to not have your feet not in the wheel spray.
once you have strut to bolt mounted mudguards on and adjusted,
they are simple to remove, and store.. no more difficult than mending a puncture.
perhaps, pick a bike of the fleet to have the mudguards stay on,
and another one for when you want the racy thing look.
Up North the opposite is true, I have to make a conscious choice ,
to take the road bike , without the fenders, out, for a sporting spin.
every other one has mudguards.
#4
SKS fenders are super light and fairly easy to install. The longboards provide full coverage. Just make sure you get the right width for your tire - too skinny and they will rub, too fat and they will look weird. You might want to consider a pair of motorcycle boot covers like these - they fold up tiny and protect your shoes and ankles from spray. Worth noting - fenders also catch a lot of flying gravel and such, so they do serve a purpose in dry weather too.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Multnomah, Portland, OR
Bikes: Cannondale six13, On-One Dirty Disco
I currently have the SKS Raceblade Fenders for my six13. They were a pain to initially configure to fit my frame/wheels perfectly, but once initial setup was complete, they work well enough for my 20 mile commute. Very light weight and you can take them on and off in seconds.
#6
www.ocrebels.com
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles area
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
I use Planet Bike fenders and like them a lot. I don't remember which model, unfortunately, and I know they have several, so check out the Planet Bike website or the Planet Bike fenders at your local bike shop.
Rick / OCRR
Rick / OCRR
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
SKS P35, Planet Bike Cascadia or Axiom Rain Runner 35's are all in a similar category. Any one of those would work fine.
Once such fenders are set up properly, they can be removed and re-installed in a few minutes.
Once such fenders are set up properly, they can be removed and re-installed in a few minutes.
#13
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Bikes: Fuji
Yes, but I'm not looking for fenders that mount using the brake bolt. I have 3 kids and the less parts and tools needed, the better.
I agree, those are very nice. Not really my style as I'm looking for something.
I agree, those are very nice. Not really my style as I'm looking for something.






