RubeRad

Yah, wet feet suck. I have had good success with plastic shopping bags as liners between sock and shoe -- but only for warmth. That might do something for foot comfort, but you could probably just stick your whole shoe in the bag (cut a hole for your cleat? maybe not even necessary, the plastic's pretty thin) and tuck into either your shoes or socks.

But then if you're willing to ride that ugly, you might as well get full-coverage frenders...

spivonious

Full fenders don't help keep your shoes dry, especially if it's raining anything more than a drizzle.

Plastic newspaper bags over the shoes work well for me, unless it's really pouring.

droy45

Try to take a good second look at a nice full set of proper fenders on a commuter bike and you may start to feel a little better about the look. Then actually try out a bike equipped with such fenders in really wet weather and you will be sold. I felt the exact same way as you did a few years ago and got tired of being sprayed by god knows what off the roads. I installed the full set which wraps nicely all around each wheel and even the bike stays clean now, even in winter slush and grime. The Planet Bike or SKS fenders are high quality and look and work very well. I know this doesn't answer your question but JMHO. Best of luck in your decision.

HydroG33r 

I recently had some SKS Raceblades installed by my LBS. Within 10km on my first ride the front fender was rubbing on the tire. Fixed that, but now the rear fenders are rubbing. Doesn't matter how many times I adjust them, within a few minutes (I'm guessing the first minor bump in the road) they are rubbing again. Driving me crazy!

xtrajack

Full fenders and mudflaps for me. It was a complete no-brainer for me. When I was ordering parts for my build, I ordered Planet Bike full coverage fenders.

I also added stealth reflective mudflaps.

wphamilton

I looked for the plastic cutting boards but they were way too thick. So I bought a $2 plastic 3-gallon wastebasket from Walmart, 12 inches tall. I cut a strip from the narrow sides and bottom, about 3 inches wide on one end and about one inch wide on the other and bottom. I used double-sided velcro ties to strap it to the seat stays above the brakes and on the seat tube. Since it was a little floppy I stiffened it with bit of steel rod I had left over, bent by hand and tied on underneath with plastic zip-ties. I don't think it looks bad:



if a bit rough looking, but it fits the requirement of quick on and off with the velcro straps and with material cost of about three or four dollars. A quick ride through some water puddles this afternoon and it does eliminate the mud stripe but some splatter does get around it.

noglider 

If you're on a group ride and the conditions are wet, it's bad manners not to have full fenders, because your bike will spray the other riders.

RubeRad

Fortunately, I live in San Diego. I would never ride recreationally in the rain, and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to convince anyone to join me!

jrickards

I have a set of full fenders for my 26" MTB (demoted to a winter bike), I don't think I could transfer them to my 29er so I'd have to get another set. I find that the fenders (Planet Bike, not sure what model) are quite "floppy" in that the metal "spokes" that go out from near the hub to the sides of the fenders are not strong or stiff enough to prevent shaking of the fender and the buzzing sound as part of it hits the knobbies on the side of the tire (probably 2.1-2.3" size). If I do break down and get fenders, I'd like fenders with a better, stronger support system.

RubeRad

That's pretty awesome! Certainly a lot better than slices of plastic cutting mats! So are you going to integrate a rear rack with that system?

noglider 

RubeRad, I understand your perspective. I said that for the benefit of those for whom it is appropriate.

wphamilton

Thanks. I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but since OP wanted a detachable fender and it was much easier to make than I expected, I figured it was worth a post.

You're right, OP did want one integrated to his rack instead of the seat tube. I'm not planning to use a rack on that bike, but I'll try something using the rest of the waste basket plastic on my foul weather beater and post it back here if it works well.

jrickards

Your contributions are welcome!

Neat piece of origami!!

RubeRad

So wph, can you give us a shot also of the final thing not attached to the bike? Are the sharp bends from the bottom of the original trashcan?

wphamilton

Just a strip cut out, four velcro wraps and the steel rod. The bends are from the bottom of the trash can - I used a heat gun lightly after the first bend to pull it up more off the tire. I think the first bend itself is important to have a surface to tie against the seat stays.

You could take the other bend out but I felt like leaving well enough alone.

fietsbob

Or, HTFU a rain jacket with a butt flap Is all the Pros use when the rain starts to fall on Race day .

a cap under your helmet , or a helmet cover with a Back Flap ..
and that should keep the image you wish .

once it snows everything will be white again.

wphamilton

I haven't been actually using this DIY one, which has been sitting forgotten in the closet until this thread was resurrected. It would have saved me a soaked backside several times ... but not from splatter on the back. The only way that works - for me - is to have a fender close to the tire curving all the way to a vertical tangent.

ps, it wasn't me who resurrected the thread - it was a guy posting to hawk his clip-on fenders, a little spammy I guess and now deleted. He was asking how well such fenders worked, so I was giving the benefit of the doubt to answer here.