Fenders work, but how to quantify?
01-25-13, 08:21 AM
#26
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For me, having a rear fender keeps the dirty water off my back and the front fender keeps the dirty water from blowing back into my face.
01-25-13, 08:35 AM
#27
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I went with SKS P45's, but if I were buying again, I'd go with the Longboards.
01-25-13, 11:05 AM
#28
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I much prefer riding with fenders in the rain. Keeps me cleaner and drier. When I get stuck in the rain without them, I always get water/grit in my eyes and mouth. Yuck. I hate feeling the grit in my teeth.
I personally run Planet Bike fenders and have had no problems with them. Most similar fenders seem to be just as good.
I personally run Planet Bike fenders and have had no problems with them. Most similar fenders seem to be just as good.
01-25-13, 11:26 AM
#29
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01-25-13, 11:57 AM
#30
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01-25-13, 02:51 PM
#31
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+10 ^^^^
Was using PB Cascadias on the Trek 520 for years, ( one of the longest coverage fenders at the time of purchase, I note that the newest Cascadias have much longer mud flaps than the early production model I had purchased years ago ) while I appreciated the generally excellent job they did of keeping road spray off me I've always felt the front fender didn't come down far enough on both leading and trailing edge of the front tire to protect the drive train/pedals.
Last year installed the Longboards and all I can say is WOW what a difference,even with the metal fender mount attached to the front of the fork crown I'm experiencing EXCELLENT protection. To the point that fellow cyclist that live in areas that get get more than a couple inches of snow on the ground OR are running 26 inch tires may want to consider removing or trimming the mudflaps to lessen the chance of the mudflap acting as a scoop.
Last edited by HvPnyrs; 01-25-13 at 02:53 PM. Reason: formatting
01-25-13, 03:05 PM
#32
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As someone who's installed nearly every make/model of fenders, I'm going to buck the SKS trend and recommend Axiom's Rainrunner series. By far the easiest, cleanest install I've done and super affordable.
01-25-13, 03:26 PM
#33
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I feel very strongly that the BIOHAZARD aspect of riding on wet pavement / paths and trails can not be over stated ( see the last statement in my signature space, unfortunately it is NOT an exaggeration ) I try to avoid the more ...uuhhmm... economically disenfranchised areas of the city in damp conditions.
01-25-13, 03:41 PM
#34
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I rode all of last year without fenders (49 inches annual rainfall). The main issue for a commuter is road water. Your feet will get soaked every time it's wet whether or not it's raining, and of course the streak up the back. If that doesn't bother you, then it's not that important. I didn't especially mind it. In a harder rain, enough to wash off your back and feet as you go, there's not that much difference.
01-25-13, 04:30 PM
#35
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When I see people riding out in the rain without fenders, this thought comes to mine
...around here, I've noticed there are many dog owners and a small number of them do not pick up after their dogs. So, when it rains, think about all the nasty things that end up on the wet ground, especially whens its being pulverized by rain and bike traffic.
I have the widest Cascadias you can get on a roadbike, 2" I believe. I can't imagine riding around here without them.
...around here, I've noticed there are many dog owners and a small number of them do not pick up after their dogs. So, when it rains, think about all the nasty things that end up on the wet ground, especially whens its being pulverized by rain and bike traffic.
I have the widest Cascadias you can get on a roadbike, 2" I believe. I can't imagine riding around here without them.
01-30-13, 02:43 PM
#37
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I think the fenders are more important on the "post-rain" trip. When there are still plenty of standing puddles on the ground. Fenders in the rain are probably useless, but Fenders after it rains are probably necessary.
01-30-13, 06:26 PM
#38
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This is the second winter for my Norco which is a dedicated winter bike, the frame was NOS when I built it up and I washed it in the spring and stored it and there was very little cleaning I had to do..
The drivetrain has over 8000 km on it and was run on my previous winter bike and the chain still shows no wear because it stays very clean... it might get some snow and water on it but the front mud flap keeps the wheel from throwing sand and grit into the chain and all over the bike.
Bottom brackets are spots where crud collects when you do not have a full rear fender and have seen many fenderless bikes with massive amounts of corrosion in this area... with a proper fender this does not happen.
The drivetrain has over 8000 km on it and was run on my previous winter bike and the chain still shows no wear because it stays very clean... it might get some snow and water on it but the front mud flap keeps the wheel from throwing sand and grit into the chain and all over the bike.
Bottom brackets are spots where crud collects when you do not have a full rear fender and have seen many fenderless bikes with massive amounts of corrosion in this area... with a proper fender this does not happen.
Marc
01-30-13, 08:20 PM
#40
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+ 1 on the SKS fenders, I just bought set last month for my grocery getter. This is my first set of fenders so I can't compare them to anything, but they were easy to put on, and seem pretty solid.
02-01-13, 07:52 AM
#42
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Sheldon Brown wrote a good article on the subject of fenders here: https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/fenders.pdf
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02-01-13, 02:15 PM
#43
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+1 on the SKS, but I think anything is better than no fenders. I see you live in Michigan - the next time I ride in snow I'll take a pic of all the snow and crap that collects at the bottom of the front fender... that's not all over me!
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02-02-13, 12:26 PM
#44
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Keep the fenders. You will be less wet. Also fenders help after a rain when there are puddles, plus they keep you cleaner. ALL of my bike have fenders.
02-02-13, 03:59 PM
#45
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