fenders-on a mtn bike-can't be done
 

Can't put fenders on a mtn. bike At least that is what the kids with the pimples at the local LBS tells me. If I have cantilever brakes and a front suspension I can't put fenders on a mtn bike. That is what he told me. Where can a guy get fenders for a Giant sedona mtn bike Here is what I have been trying to post for 2 weeks

I hope there is a solution, but if not, don't sweat it. Many tourists go without fenders. A few weeks ago I met a very serious tourist who had what must have been a $5000 touring bike. It had custom-made lugged frame, high-end Campy, Raceface, and Shimano components, Phil Wood this, Chris King that... but no fenders. I asked him why, and he said he didn't mind the stripe on his back!

I got my first set of "real" fenders two years ago, and like 'em. For the previous four or five years, I made do with crappy fender simulacra, which really did not help much at all in the rain. And for the previous 20 years or so before that, I had no fenders, and did not even notice.

I think I would have had better luck wearing those long baggy shorts that let your crack hang out. Or maybe knee pads

Something like these should work:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1144956293133

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1144956293136

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1144956293137

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1144956293137

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1144956293136

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1144956293138

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1144956293139

If you get some kind of brake booster arch then that should give you a pont to bolt the fender to, then be inventive with zip ties, or if you have a front rack like an OMM you can fix the fender to it.

You can put fenders on any bike. Just use google and be creative.

2 many bikes. Where did you get yours. I like your set up

I could be wrong, but his looks to me like it is a combination of several of the links I posted earlier. The front looks like the first link ... the back ... maybe the last two links.

The front is a Topeak "DeFender" it looks very similar to Machka's first link and has another piece added on to the back. The others are leftover parts from other fender projects that I cut up. The mud flap at the bottom is just two pieces of MTB inner tube glued together to keep it from curling up. I made brackets out of pieces like reflector brackets etc. You can also use the perforated strapping used for plumbing and make any kind of bracket to attach to the frame anywhere.

Spend some time on line looking, or try another bike shop, there are many options. You can cut the fenders up and make your own brackets, it's not difficult. I have made some pieces out of flexible foam insulation covered with black tape. It is very lightweight.

You can cut and drill the plastic fenders any way you want to get them to go around things. You can make brackets to support them anywhere.

Machka's third link is part of the back one. Some of them are so old I don't remember what they were.
Or I'm so old I don't remember?

Here's what the front started with.........

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/ACFENDTPK/FE1710

[QUOTE=acantor]I hope there is a solution, but if not, don't sweat it. Many tourists go without fenders. A few weeks ago I met a very serious tourist who had what must have been a $5000 touring bike. It had custom-made lugged frame, high-end Campy, Raceface, and Shimano components, Phil Wood this, Chris King that... but no fenders. I asked him why, and he said he didn't mind the stripe on his back!
QUOTE]

I wonder why this person is considered a serious tourist? It sounds like another case of more money than brains.

When we met, he was getting his bike tuned-up before his second lengthy tour through the wilds of South America. It turns out that he and his family go on extended tours every year. So yes, I would refer to him as a "serious" or committed tourist, despite his seeming lack of concern about the appearance of his back!

Re: the stripe on one's back. Sometimes fenders can cause much more trouble than they're worth. Stuff like clay/mud, soft tar, slush/ice etc which can glom up in the fenders making for very dangerous going.

I'll also submit that with a rear platform rack, there's less of the back stripe. No help with drivetrain protection though.

[edit] inserted "platform".

I think the question regarding his "seriousness" was more about the price of the bicycle and the component choices rather than the stripe up his back.

If I were heading to the "wilds of South America", where getting repair parts might be very difficult and where who knows what could happen to my bicycle, I think I would be inclined to spend less than $1000 on it, and get something as simple and basic as possible. I don't think I could sleep at night on a tour with a $5000 bicycle attached to a tree outside my tent with the tiny cable lock I carry!!

But perhaps $5000 for him is the equivalent of $500 to me, and so that might not be a concern for him.

Without fenders I find that the front wheel spray is more of a problem than the rear wheel spray. It can get you pretty good in the face, and just about everywhere else. Long live fenders!

When I think of the benefits of fenders, my back is last on my list. I want to have a cleaner drivetrain, protect other people from my wheel spray if I have companions (a big deal to that person especially with road apples!), and protect my front. I know many put in serious miles without them, but once you have some and they are set-up well, going without doesn't make much sense anymore. Particularly for commuters in the winter, when salts, mud, and road grime make fenders your favorite component.

As far as them being "dangerous" in some cases, there are so many different products and ways to set them up for your planned conditions that I don't buy it.

The Sedona can definitely be fendered.

Thanks guys. You have been so helpful to this newby.

....

I run fenders. If you run an enclosed rear rack (paaniers and top bag), and do something like a downtube guard and or enclosed front rack. You will get good protection equal to fenders without fender problems.

Also, most fender are larger than they need to be, a 1" strip will catch just about everything and have less wind resistance. Not much help since you can't buy them, but with some basic tools you can make your own, and it can be a help particularly on bikes where there isn't enough clearance. I made my own bamboo fenders and they worked great. Wood is easier to work with and can make a great fender.

Do a search for Freddy Fenders. Performance Bike stocks them. They make a set specifically for MTB's.

I'll second using a cantilever brake arch. I did the same setup on a friends MTB. We drilled a hole in the arch and installed the Freddy fenders which give the best protection ( I have freddys on 3 of my bikes) You do need to move the fender's fork mounting bracket forward so you get good coverage on the back of the wheel. The fender stays can be bolted to cable clamps on the forks. The cable clamps are available at most hardware stores

http://www.taiwan-cable-ties-tool.co...ble_clamps.jpg