Originally Posted by
Koyote
The front fender is the most useful, as - assuming it extends down far enough on the wheel's trailing side - it helps protect your feet, pedals, crankset, BB, and chain from dirty water and much that is getting kicked up by the front tire.
Agreed, if it comes down far enough. I had to run a short fender due to my repair kit on the downtube, so it really didn't do me much good, easier to just leave it off.