RidingMatthew

I am signed up for a 91 mile Gravel ride October 13 and I have fenders on my Salsa Journeyman. I am thinking about taking my rack off and running a Camelback back pack to carry supplies.

Should I take the fenders off or just run them? There is the possibility of showers. High of 57 degrees. thoughts and insights?

mstateglfr 

Fenders will certainly keep the drivetrain and your feet cleaner, if it rains.
Just make sure there is enough room for gravel grit to build up and not rub.

RidingMatthew

Bike is currently outfitted with new WTB Byways 650bx47 the fenders are Cascadia 60mm. They are already on the bike because this is my commuter bike. I had 4995.1 miles on the previous set of Byways.. mostly pavement though

RidingMatthew

that is very true. I have ridden the Va Creeper Trail. it was 70 mile day with a buddy. I had fenders and he didn't... he was covered in dirt and water after we got caught in a thunderstorm.

RidingMatthew

I am thinking that the lack of a rack on my bike is going to feel good. I think that the fenders will be fine after I get used to the rocks that are picked up with the new tires and rattle through the fenders. I think that riding in the rain could be tough we have not had much rain lately. It is not really a race but I do want to ride strong and finish. With no wrecks/ getting hurt/ etc.

SalsaShark

I run 650x48mm tires under Velo Orange fenders that are a bit narrower than yours. It is nice to keep a cleaner drivetrain free from the muck of a long, wet gravel ride. I don't even remove the rack! Here is my setup after a gravel race earlier this summer

dsaul

It rained at Keystone Gravel this year. I would have loved to have had at least a front fender to keep the mud out of my eyes on the long descents. Glasses didn't help much, because the mud found its way between the lenses and my face. Run the fenders, lose the rack.

Stormsedge

I put fenders on my Domane in the spring when it seemed to be raining all the time. Ten 100Ks later and I haven't bothered to take them off. I'll be back in winter weather soon. Don't slow me down. Great conversation starters. Keep me drier and cleaner in the rain and muck. I say leave them on if you've the clearance.

RidingMatthew

Thanks I will run fenders and take the rack off. I am doing unPAved in a week.

Looks like it should be a low of 38° and high if 57° at least that is the weather forecast right now.

RidingMatthew

Is that a Journeyman? I like the white color.

SalsaShark

Yes; it is the Journeyman Sora 700C, but i also have a 650B wheelset for it which is installed in the photo. It's been a great all-around bike. I use it in the rain, snow, and on gravel rides.

chas58

good plan (yes fenders, no rack).

I used to worry about fenders making my bike slower.
Then I realized that rear fenders can actually make the bike more aero - although that really applies more to fairing which are illegal in most races (because of the aero advantage).
and in the front I was worried about the front fender being an air scoop, then I found out my fenders create a little high pressure zone in front of the "scoop" which helps keep the airflow nice and orderly.

As long as they don't get packed up with mud, you should be fine.

RidingMatthew

no mud fenders did fine. If I had to do it over again I might have taken them off though. I have had a hard time reinstalling the rack and while riding I had some rub going on but the tech support at the 27 mile rest stop helped me out and almost 60 miles more no rubbing.

tires did awesome for the ride and the trails.

dwmckee

Looks Great!!

SalsaShark

Thanks!
We've been getting hit with snow and ice the last week here in Iowa. Had to mount the winter tires already! The full fenders are almost a necessity in this weather.