Hi there,

I just picked up a new Trek 520 as the first step towards a full cross-country tour. I figured the first thing I need to do, especially since it's still winter and definitely wet here in NYC, is pick up a good pair of fenders. I'm running the standard 700x32 tires it came with but will likely upgrade to 700x35 (Continental Touring or the like). I don't foresee doing much back country riding. I also decided that I want black fenders. I've been looking at the Planet Bike Cascadia fenders which seem perfect but haven't found them in NYC yet. Most people do carry the SKS brand, though. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Andrew

Wife has Planet Bikes on her Bianchi Volpe. I installed them -- easy -- and they've done what they're supposed to do. A good value. I've got Honjos on one of my bikes. They're beautifully made, a bit of a pain to install, and noisier when gravel strikes them. They're also much more expensive. For the price, the Planet Bike's are worth a shot.

I just installed the Planet Bike's Cascadias on my Trek FX 7.3. They were easily installed and kept out all the snow I rode through.

John

My favorites for price/toughness and coverage. Get the 45mm size for the tires you want to run.

Good choice, picking up a 520.

Hard to beat those Cascadias for price and function.

I have SKS fenders on my 700c touring bike and Planet Bike fenders on my 26" commuter. Saw lots of positive reviews of the SKS fenders, including Peter White, but I honestly don't see a whole lot of difference between the two. I thought the Planet Bike fenders were slightly less fiddly to install and align than the SKS fenders.

Do Planet Bike have safety release mechanism.


Both of these reinforced plastic 'guards are very tough and resist snapping . If you catch an obstruction they will fold up inside, jamming the wheel in the fork. Unless the stays can release.
My SKS QR stays have released once when a piece of wire got tangled up and Im sure it prevented a crash.

Bamboo

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ed-rigs/page16

I think the most important thing is proper installation. SKS fenders do have that nifty quick release, but I've had all sorts of crud get in my fender, and it hasn't done any good. Then again, I haven't ever gotten into an accident when something got stuck in my fender, it's usually just an annoying sound until you stop to dig it out.

On my LHT the PB Cascadias did a better job not interfering with toe overlap because the fender strut attached above the toe strike. When I had an SKS front fender my toe jamed on the strut whereas on the Cascadia it just brushes over the smooth fender.

Cascadias have that amazing mudflap.

All but two of my bikes have fenders. If they didn't come with them I will usually add the PB fenders. I use the Freddy Fenders on my MTB/Touring bike and Tandem. Most of the other bikes have the ones that came on them. Planet Bike makes good stuff and gives back to the cycling community.

Aaron

I've also found the PB is great with fixing problems... I had my superflash go bad and it was replaced almost instantly. They didn't even ask me to send in the old one. I also had a PB computer go bad and same result. They just sent me a new one.

I'm hard on my stuff... I ride in all weather. It's nice supporting a company that stands behind what it sells and supports the cycling community.

thanks for all the advice. i think i'll hunt around a bit more. there are literally hundreds of bike shops in the city but most either cater to the "average joe" cyclist, the fixie crowd, or the rich. looks like i have lots of phone calls to make. if not, there's always buying online

Just buy direct from Planet Bike online. They ship quick.

ahh, if only it was that easy. out of stock at the moment. found a couple other shops online though

Peter, may I ask where you sourced your wood?

I like the Planet Bike fenders with the mudflaps. SKS makes nice fenders too, but they are more expensive.

Biketiresdirect.com should have them in stock and they almost always ship next day or same day. Even if ups it will take less than a week from time of order.

I have SKS fenders on my Randonee, and quite like them. They keep crud out of the drivetrain, are easy to install, and they're durable. They are kinda plain looking, though. Anyone here use wooden fenders?

I am a big fan of Berthoud's stainless steel fenders.

I've used both PB cascadia and now SKS. The cascadia are much better IMO. While the SKS is supposed to be a full length fender they just don't go down as far as the PBs and there is still some spray on the back tire. After riding in the rain the dry bag strapped to the top of the rack has a ton of road grit and stuff on it. Also, no one can ride directly behind me in the rain or they will get sprayed.

I say go with the PB cascadia if you can find them.

My new compound curve wooden fenders by Cody at Woody's Fenders. They are in the mail right now.

I have SKS fenders but I had to make mudflaps for them because they aren't long enough to keep all the sand and salt and mud away from the chain and bottom bracket. I cut up milk jugs and duct tape them to the fender. I plan to make some flaps out of stair tread rubber and pop rivet them to the fender. I still have some Blumels that came with a nice long effective flap. I might also buy Cascadias.

i'm a big fan of the SKS fenders, I have them on 2 of my bikes.. putting them on a 3rd bike very soon

heard great things about the PB ones as well.. I just like the look of the SKS ones. plus they've always been incredibly easy to install