multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
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To my eye a bike isn't complete without fenders, dynamo hub, lights, and a front rack. These things are always nice to have, and sometimes essential. I realize this is a function of the kind of riding I do. As for the aesthetics, once you get into that "bike must have fenders" mindset, you get to like the look.
As mentioned, they can be difficult to set up. More accurately, setting them up is a skill that one needs to acquire like any other. I'm sure that's a big part of why you don't see them much in a country where bikes are regarded as toys that only come out in nice weather.