Bike Forums - New Fenders

I like cars without tops and bikes without fenders. Nature can make other options more appealing so I'm a seasonal fender user.

You will sometimes see people imply that fenderless bikes are strictly a phenomenon resulting from the influence of the bike racing industry. A recent trip to Ambergris Caye in Belize confirmed that that's not necessarily true.

On that island golf carts and bikes are the main forms of transportation. Even though there is a definite rainy season in the summer, much of the year is dry and the island is flat as a pancake. Makes Minneapolis look like San Francisco. Anyway, I saw two geared bikes the whole time I was there and only one bike with fenders.

I like being able to easily see my tires, especially on the road bike and it's not just for aesthetics. With fenders checking for cuts and other damage on the rear tire isn't quite as convenient when the top half (or more) of the wheel is covered by a fender.

From an aesthetics standpoint, it's rare to see a set of fenders that both look good on a bike (IMO) and can't be easily damaged or knocked out of whack. Wooden fenders need to be maintained. Aluminum fenders dent/bend readily. Steel fenders rust and plastic fenders, are... plastic.

I realize that some people prefer the look of fenders and that's fine by me but the lack of fenders on my bikes during the summer doesn't make them any less suitable for my commutes. The liquid I encounter on the streets is really just water 99% of the time.