Sixty Fiver: I live in Iowa so the winters around here can be pretty brutal at times. I'm not overly impressed with these PB fenders but they were cheap and all any of the LBS had in stock. Since this is my first year trying this silly little idea I'm trying to keep expenses low and just try to learn. That way if it turns out I have lost my marbles for even thinking of trying this I'm not out a lot of cash.
You comment about ridge forks was well taken and one of the things I looked for when looking for a winter bike candidate. Since this bike does have a lockout on the forks that does work I figured it was a good as. Again it maybe more lessons learned here.
Over all so far this has been a pretty painless task. We'll see how that changes once the snow flies and I head out for that first time. As tsl says if it isn't fun than it's not worth it.
fasthair