antokelly

i will check those out bob more than likely out of my price range.
still no harm looking.

DropBarFan

How easy was Zeppelin installation on the DT? 559mm/26" users have less options for bling fenders, custom paint would look sweet. 622mm/700C users can buy kewl copper powder-coat fenders:

Copper Fenders ? Handsome Cycles

KC8QVO

Sorry for the delay here. The install was pretty easy. The main thing to keep in mind is the length of the stays - you want to tune the length after you get them installed and adjusted. If you cut the stays too short you will not be in good shape so be careful how short you get them.

The other note is I used the bolt with the hole in it for mounting to the fork. The is supposed to be mounted to the main mounting bolt for rim brakes. My fork has a hole up top where a brake set would be mounted, however, so it was easy for me to put a bolt through there for the fender mount.

On the LHT/DT frame set the fenders will affect the tire clearance - mainly the rear one. I am running the stock 38mm tires right now, but was running 42's fine. I will eventually go back to 42's or so as they handle the trails I ride better. If it wasn't for running over the front wheel with my truck I'd still be running them.

Soody

There's ~50mm of fork clearance and seat stay clearance on my gunnar crosshairs, but it's tight with only ~38mm at the chainstays. Tires atm are 35mm panaracer paselas on 24.5mm A719 rims. I'm looking at 45mm fenders right? How do i get them through the chainstays? I've never had better cover than an ass saver before.

Also does anyone know any good deals on metal fenders? The VO amazon store won't ship to NZ. Cheers

Scottybigs 

^ 45mm is probably all you'll fit, and you may have drop 1-2 sizes of tire to get the right clearance.

VO fenders make just about any bike look nice, and functionally they have great water coverage. Mine have been great--no rattling or issues. Install was a little more detailed than plastic fenders, but it's kind of a set it+forget it thing. Just make sure you use the leather washers provided on all of the fender/stay contact points--it helps prevent rattling and cracking. Also, don't cut the fender stays too short, just in case you change tire sizes over the years.

For rear fender line, I had to use half a wine cork at the chainstay bridge--also helps to cushion the fender against the frame and bolt.

antokelly

great job.

Soody

chur

your setup looks great btw

i'd be scared of hills with that crank though lol

Scottybigs 

Thanks. I was worried about hills too, but doing long distance rides on a fixed gear really helps with leg strength. I'm still going to swap out the small chainring and run 52-38 instead of 52-42, which should help for longer climbs when out camping. I can't go much wider on the rear freewheel (13-26) because the Shimano 600 derailleur doesn't have a long enough cage. Not worth breaking up the groupset anyway TBH

Being able to do group road-rides at high speeds is why I like keeping the road gearing. Dropping the small ring to a 38 is effectively copying the range of Velo Orange's grand cru cranksets, but I get to keep the 600 cranks

rifraf

Hi, pics and a link would be much appreciated.

Whilst I'm familiar with the VO fenders, I've no idea what PDW FMF safety tabs are.

I'm interested as I roll with Gilles Berthoud polished stainless fenders and have worried about possible jamming by a stick.

Cheers

Edit: I did some googling and think I've worked it out.

Portland Design Works Full Metal Fender Safety Tabs https://ridepdw.com/products/full-me...nt=24829153601

They look impressive.

djb

Aesthetics are totally personal Ant, but I found that with my black framed Troll, I like how the silver sks fenders contrast with the black and am happy with the decision after having lived with the bike like this for a few months now.

And yes, I purposely left a lot of space between tires and fenders, for possible mud and stuff, and also for making it possible to easily remove the rear wheel with the tire inflated because of the horizontal dropouts of the frame, closer would cause issues. Also, these are 50mm slicks, but could end up putting slightly more chunky tires on with tread, so having the wiggle room is good for all these reasons.

fietsbob

Trans atlantic shipping and Import duty from the US to the EU, or UK, ( depending on which part of Ireland Antokelly Lives) is a unknown .

Since that is part of shopping with VO, given The company is in MD, USA..

antokelly

Thanks Lads i'm still buying parts for my audax The VO are top of the fenders list for sure,but i still have to buy sti leavers bars and stem saddle everything else i have,i'm going with all Tiagra 10 speed the new crankset triple looks awesome as does the rear and front mechs have to say i do like Shimano gear top notch for sure.anyway seen as i'm stone broke again all this will have to wait ores the pity.

djb

Ant, the Tiagra 10 speed crankset made a change from the 9 spd Tiagra in that the bolt pattern is diff so that the 10sp tiagra triple with the 50/39/30 is limited to the 30t as the granny. Before you could put smaller grannys but not with the 10.
Probably not an issue, but just be aware that you just cant change out the 30 for a 26 or whatever that you could before.
And for people who poo-poo Tiagra level stuff, I find that it shifts perfectly well with a nice smooth, light action for shifting (and I've only used the 9 speed stuff, I imagine the 10 is just as good if not better)

IMontoya

That's a good looking bike. Very classy.

Cougrrcj

I have a set of the VO 'Facette' fenders (think skinnier Zepplins) going on my Univega Gran Tourismo. Facette are 45mm wide vs the Zepplin 52mm. Since I will be running a 32mm tire (actually 27x1-1/4 Pasela PTs) this should be plenty of clearance.

J.Higgins 

I've searched in vain for a set of hammered fenders for the 26" wheels on my LHT. If anyone knows of a source, please post here. Otherwise, I'll definitely go for the VO aluminums,

wassertreter

I think both Compass Cycles and Velo Orange are recommending 650b fenders for fatter (2.0" and up ?) tyre sizes. I'll probably try Zeppelin 650b with Rat Trap Pass tyres and splay them open a bit. Want black metal fenders.

antokelly

i knew that djb so i went for a 11 to34 cassette that should make life easier.only thing though the cassette is a tad heavy but could not find one at a good price that was going to be much lighter.this new bike is going to be heavy it's going to take some getting used to after riding my carbon road bike .

Jonathan Hanson 

This might be too late to help, but I installed (polished) VO fenders on my Sekai 2500 when I refurbished it a few years ago. They've held up perfectly, don't rattle, and get a lot of comments.

antokelly

class job jonathan not to late at all i still need to buy lots of gear to get this frame built although i thinks your look fantastic i'm going with black.going to be a while yet before i can afford VO fenders still worth the wait i guess.

Carbonfiberboy 

The VO fenders are very nice looking but mine broke right across in one season. Thin aluminum fatigues very easily. I now use SKS P35 but width to suit your tires. They've held up very well.

antokelly

i never seen Vo fenders in the flesh so half the reason i want them ,i did have sks on my other tourer didn't like them to be honest i could never get them to sit right even tho i'm handy enough with a spanner.

fietsbob

... Well, the trans Atlantic shipping is what separates you and VO HQ, in Maryland USA..

Berthoud in France also makes Stainless Steel Mudguards.. And Aluminum from Honjo of Japan..

Myself, Mudguards have been Functional Items , so SKS has Been fine ..

antokelly

i think i can get them in the uk but as i said there the last thing on the list,still have to spend couple hundred euro before i get this baby on the road.