gregf83 

I use fenders from Portland Design Works (https://ridepdw.com/collections/fend...-metal-fenders) when I'm using my gravel bike as a commuter. No fenders when used as a gravel bike.

Tim_Iowa

SKS fenders do not include a set of breakaway tabs for the rear fenders, just the front. Uncharachteristic, for the uber-safe Germans.

I bought them separate, they're widely available and cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/SKS-Front-Fen.../dp/B001N84RHU
Note that they're usually sold per piece, so buy two.

MikeyMK

I can't get on with plastic mudguards, they're too flimsy, flap about all over the place. Steel is real.

Trevtassie

I use them when I can, can't find any wide enough to cover the Extra-Terrestrials though. Great when riding with somebody too, they don't need to ride miles behind to stop getting covered in crap...

u235

I use something to fit between my rack and tire and one of those abs deflectors (muckynutz?) with velco on the bottom bar. Neither perfect but they never get in the way and work good enough. If you are crafty and bored... Most of those smaller realtor "house for sale" and open house signs are corrugated plastic. They can by used to make durable light weight deflectors you can cut to size and attach to your rack behind your bags and under the top of your rack. Easy to paint with a rattle can too. I live on a corner lot and tons of them are left behind.

rumrunn6

OK thanks. I ordered 6 a few days ago so I should get them soon. I have 2 bikes so only need 4 but I can see me losing one trying to put them on since I'm such a hack klutz. any trick to installing them? easy peasy?

enigmaT120

Yes. I ride gravel every day I commute, and I get messy enough even with these fenders:

2012 Salsa Fargo by Ed Miller, on Flickr

Sometimes I'll take them off for the summer, but I paid for it with several muddy wet rides home two years ago.

DEW21

First time fender user for me, trying to keep my rattlecan paintjob nice. We shall see how they work

asmac

Me too. Normal length SKS with an added mudflap on the front. I hate wet feet.

rumrunn6

beefy tires!

browngw 

Great looking bike (and mudguards)! What brand are they?

DEW21

DIY from a plastic jug (windshield washer bottle) and leather from an old jacket attached with Gorilla spray glue. Thanks!

Tim_Iowa

Not very tricky. A couple tips:
1) you have to push the loop at the end of the fender stay into the breakaway tab very firmly.
2) you'll have to re-adjust (and possibly trim) the fender stays, because the tab adds a little length to the stays.

Hope you have safe--and clean--riding!

Dan Burkhart 

I use tinypic.com. No account needed. You have to put up with a lot of ads, but I have photos posted to multiple forums from many years ago, and the photos rarely disappear.

rumrunn6

gotcha, thanks, right back at you!

Gresp15C

I'm cleaning up my bike right now, after a winter of salt and slush. Let's just say that I will be ordering fenders soon.

rumrunn6

gave mine a brush bath after today's muddy slush ride

veganbikes

My touring bike uses Planet Bike Cascadia ALXs and they are excellent. I wish that Portland Design Works would release their Full Metal Fenders in something that can fit 700x38s though. I have SKS fenders on my commuter bike and they seem to be fine and dandy especially since I didn't pay for them (slightly used but who cares) and I do have a set of those Crud fenders but haven't gotten them properly fitted as I think I botched the placement of the hook and loop tape. Fenders are useful.

DougG

I bought a set of fenders that were offered by the OEM to fit my specific bike, but after installing them and thinking about some practical considerations, I took them off and went with removable MTB-type mud guards (my wet riding will probably be rare). One issue I could see is getting the rear tire off to fix a flat. Doesn't a fender make this difficult if the wheel has to be pulled out in a rearward direction?

The other issue is that, due to where I live, I often have to haul the bike out to a trailhead or starting point some miles distant, and it seemed like carrying the bike would be a problem. I usually put my bike in the back of my SUV, but that requires turning the bars where it would be resting on the fender, and if I remove the front wheel the front fender is still rather fragile. I also have a tray-type rack, but it requires clamping down on the front tire to hold the bike in place -- not good with a fender.

Any comments? Am I off-base with my concerns? I still have the fenders in a box in my shop.

FWIW, this is what I'll be using, mostly on wet unpaved trails. It should at least keep me from getting that muddy stripe up my back!

5teve

I prefer to have full fenders on my road/gravel bikes. Even when it's dry they help keep the bike and my person cleaner. I've used them long and often enough that a bike without them looks...incomplete.

Metieval

I don't think I'd run this set up on gravel... It's pretty tight.

but yes to mudguards

MikeyMK

Heh, my front mudguard is black HDPE from the side panel of a Dot 5 brake fluid bottle...

I need a longer one, but as my guards are near 4ins wide, and i exceed 40mph daily, i have enough drag coefficiency issues already.
I'm probably gonna buy a long leather one. Or two, as i occasionally pull a trailer in the summer.

Patriot1

Fenders yes, and XPEL.com paint stealth protection which I just installed on my wife’s bike. Also installed a lizard skin chain stay protector.

rumrunn6

I got them on

Patriot1

[QUOTE=rumrunn6;20250909]I got them on



Will a simple pair of wire cutters work to trim the left over extra length of wire protruding after final adjustment of the fender? The wire is pretty thick and I am open to suggestions on how to cut it.