Your Personal Advice on Fenders...
 

So I am using my 89 Nishiki as my daily commuter and I want (kinda feel like I need) to get fenders for it before the bad weather comes, but I am running into a couple of dilemmas. First of all the bike does not have any eyelets to secure the fenders with. Secondly there is not very much room at all, maybe enough space for my finger to fit through, between my tire and the brakes.

I have done some research, but I am not sure what type of fenders to get, if they make some small ones for road bikes that would be great. Secondly I just figured you guys have probably got some experience in this sort of thing...so whatcha got?

there are some that zip tie to your rear triangle. they're called race blades. they might not actually use zip ties. i've just seen pictures. never really figured they'd work very well, but anything is better than nothing.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

sks raceblades

no eyelets on your frame how awful but it sounds like a good excuse to get a new bike!

What about these? http://velo-orange.com/vo52posmfe.html I could probably rig em with zip ties to stay...I am more concerned about the clearance issue...

I can't even get my finger in on my bike. I just go with the backscratcher and wear waterproof shoes.

I recently did a build using the Planet Bike Cascadias in the 35mm width. And I use the 45mm Cascadias on my daily commuter. They are great full coverage fenders that are easy to install. You could attach them with "P" clips.

Poke around the VO site, they have a page that tells you what and where to measure. it's pretty straight forward. AFTER you take all the measurements of your bike you might send Chris at VO a note and find tune your understanding of how to install them. I say AFTER you take all the measurements because no one can answer the clearance issue but you (you can measure your bike, I cannot). Once you have the measurements then you will know what size will fit your bike and then you can pursue a means of connecting it all. They have those bits too but as one caller suggested, I'd get a fender friendly bike before I'd start duct taping fenders on one where fenders were never intended.

Good luck!

Chris

Your tires may fit, but there's no way those are going to stay where they need to with zip ties.

SKS fenders -the full size, NOT their way too short 'race-blades' - easy to mount even with very little space and no eyelets (zip-ties used there), here on a 1984 Merckx Corsa. Used these in some pretty crap weather with no problems at all. Just don't go wider than 23mm tires!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/4...81592d03_b.jpg

Manufacturer's site :

http://www.sks-germany.com/sks.php?l...e07d322ea773e5

Joseph

I've used SKS Race Blades for a couple years now. I was worried in the beginning that they wouldn't stay put (they use a rubberized band similar to trunk rack mounts to secure to the frame), but after initial set up, I've never had to fiddle with them.

I'd highly recommend them as an alternative to the jury-rigged zip tie route--especially if you're already gearing up to spend ~$50.

They don't look C&V like the VO's, but they do the job and have their own utilitarian aesthetic.

Yep, I like the way you're thinking! :thumb:

You can make anything stay with enough zip ties :P

hehehe, stack 'em up all the to the dropout. acts as a frame protector, too!

I'd much sooner use p-clamps.

Has anyone mentioned the splitter brackets (enter proper verbage) that you basically cut the fender in half and attach it ti the bracket. The bracket then attaches to either the rear brake bridge or to the fork in front.

Ascii art: __|--|__ (upside down ascii art)

I'll see if I can find an image someplace....

Something like this one:

http://www.cyclofiend.com/Images/wor...nd_example.jpg

For low clearance needs.

You'd still need p-clamps for the fender stays, but the bracket would do the bulk of the support work.

^^^That is very interesting! I may have to go with that...though I did measure and I believe that the 35mm set may work...I may just barely have enough clearance...I guess I can go to a shop and see before I commit to buy anyway.

I use these SpeedEZ from Planet Bike on my old Trek 2100 and they do a decent job. Not the same as the full coverage I have on another bike, but a good compromise for my "fast" bike. The Trek has low clearance and no eyelets.

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/planetbike/media/7017.jpg

DOH! I am stupid or something! I do have eyelets...I don't have braze-ons...my bad.

Anyway now my main concern is clearance...I really do believe that the example on the Eddy Merckx above will fit...

If nothing else maybe I can go with the split fender example...

+1, I used them for a while and have no complaints.

Thanks for all the advice...now if I can find 39.00 dollars laying around...

If you can fit your finger between the tire and fork and brake bridge, I think you'll be OK. I've used both SKS and Planet Bike Freddy Fenders; nothing high class. Both of the ones I mentioned work well and seem durable for plastic fenders. I like the hardware a bit better on the PB ones, but SKS looks a little more vintage. It's a good idea to put some blue loctite on the eyelet screws, btw.

Well, now you don't have to worry about P-clamps. I like the sks fenders I am using, the planet bikes look really nice too. I think the Planet bike fenders were also less expensive. The SKS fenders have a safety release clip on the front in case they jam up on the tire (and it has happened to me once so far)

Your Personal Advice on Fenders, what a nice title!

One day my traditional rain gaurd got into my spokes going down hill to work, might have been at the eyelet?

http://www.prettyshady.com/upload/fi...n/DSC_0058.JPG

http://www.prettyshady.com/upload/fi...n/DSC_0063.JPG

the rain gaurd shatterd, alot of spokes snapped, and the nipples got pulled though the rim.

So my Personal Advice on Fenders, are these new 7 euro for a pair, clip on plastic items.

see youtube video I just uploaded --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQwocFyhzO4

It doesn't rain too much here, so if its predicted I can just clip these things on. 7 euros a pair, 20 seconds to install. And if its not rainning then my bike doesn't need to have them on.