CliftonGK1

OK, I'll give you as much that they lower clearance up front. If you're rolling a tight geometry road bike or a track frame then you'll run into some trouble. Most sport-touring, touring and MTB frames have enough clearance for a full fender.
You're partially right about not keeping you dry. You'll still get rained on, but properly set up a good front fender and flap will keep road spray off your feet. Even "waterproof" booties get waterlogged after constant soaking from tire spray.
Far from necessary? That road spray I just mentioned is full of oil, dirt, dead bugs, and the rainwater run-off from that week-old 'possum carcass in the middle of the street... and now it got sprayed on your shoes (annoying), your drivetrain (abrasive) and the bite valve on your water bottle (DELICIOUS!) Now maybe it's just me, but I'd rather not have a big ol' swig of the curbside swill every time I have a drink.
There's many good reasons so many people have fenders on their bikes around here, no matter how aesthetically unappealing they may be. At least one group (Seattle Randos) will stick you at the back end of any rainy group ride if you show up without fenders and effective mudflaps.
Only my CX racing rig doesn't have them because they truly would be in the way on that bike.

uRabbit

If you use a water bottle that attaches to your frame, I would say a front fender at least is necessary.

BattleRabbit

I already have the fenders installed and have been using them for several months. I use toe clips, and there is no toe overlap issue. I hadn't considered the contents of roadside spray, so thank you all for mentioning that! I'll probably leave the fenders just where they are for now.

I rode through some serious standing water on my way to work today(about 20'x8'x3") and I really appreciated them then. Even on the 700cx23 semi-slicks my commuter that would have been a lot of water slinging around!

Kojak

Pretty much any group ride, unless it's actually a race, will relegate you to the back or send you packing to ride by yourself. No one likes to eat that spray, and it's a pain in the butt when you're rotating to the back to try and slot in, in front of some guy/gal without fenders & flaps. This is generally not a problem for commuters however.

SouthFLpix

That's a good point. I had a water bottle get absolutely filthy riding in the rain without fenders. At first I couldn't understand why it got so dirty. I never dropped it or put anything but water inside it.

Later I order some fenders along with another bottle. That bottle is still as clean as the day it was new. Fenders really do make a difference. Racers can just toss their bottles to the side of the road when they're done so it's not an issue for them.

Northwestrider

I think fenders are very much worth it for you or anyone riding in the rain.

Scooby214

My commuter bike has Planet Bike fenders with mudflaps. It is the most likely bike to be used in the rain. If I plan to use my road bike during or after rain, I put on my Zefal Shield fenders: https://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=232 to keep the drivetrain and the cyclist behind me cleaner. They do pretty well, in spite of not really being full fenders, and they are very quick to install and remove.

Six jours

A pound and a half? You must have really had to work to find such heavy fenders! Perhaps you can mount some aluminum fenders and save a pound or so. Or perhaps you can time yourself with and without your current fenders and see if that 1.5 pounds actually makes any difference at all to your commute...

Mr IGH

Fender PSA:

formicaman

They keep you and the bike cleaner. I wouldn't think about riding in rain without them, and it's been raining in Philly a lot lately.

Easy Peasy

I also use fenders more for the bike than for myself. Plus they look very cool.

Eddiemc

Never ride in wet conditions. Find them to be a hassle.

Sullalto

What a luxury that is.

Last month it rained almost 34" here. If I didn't ride in the rain, I wouldn't ride for more than half the year.

Phil_gretz

I don't get to decide whether it will rain on a commute day. I do reach for a bike with fenders on those days, though. Full long fenders with a low mud flap, particularly on the front, help to keep things much cleaner from grit and road schmutz...

rumrunn6

take them off for 6 mos & let us know how it goes

RidingMatthew

I put fenders on years ago and said I might take them off sometime. I never have! I love them. They make riding after it has rained amazing.
Quick story: I rode with a friend on the Va creeper trail. Down and back up; 72 miles total the last 17 was after a massive thunderstorm. We both rode back up the mountain on the trail. When we got to the car he was covered head to toe in mud from the trail and his bike was a mess. I was clean and pretty much dry. I am not sure why after that moment he did not install fenders. (to each his own)