skimaxpower

Sorry if this isn't the right subforum, but I figured commuter folks would know a lot about fenders.

I am looking to purchase safety orange colored bike fenders. I can only seem to find them in black, white, silver, woodgrain, and yellow. It's important they they are orange because, well, color coordination is important. I am not looking for fenders from the company velo orange, unless they have recently started selling fenders in the color orange.

These fenders would need to accommodate a 700C x 35mm tire. The touring specific bike has appropriate clearance.

So, who sells the fenders I'm looking for?

NormanF

Any reason you can't get standard fenders and put on 3M reflective safety tape on them?

Leisesturm

I've never seen any and I've been around awhile. When you find a pair, let us know. Or... whatever it is you already have in HSO... maybe you could source it in neon yellow-green and match it with Planet Bike fenders in the same color? Just a thought...

CliffordK

Can you paint the fenders?

Perhaps find a good set of steel or aluminum fenders and refinish them.

scoatw

The only orange fenders I know of comes in a spray paint can. Remove the fenders, clean them, tape them off real good. Spray three or four coats. Add some clear coat if you want. They'll look good and last for years.

Squeeze

Check out post number 13 in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...l#post17970346

The bike belongs to @AlmostTrick, whom I don't know, but I remember that great looking bike and found it with a google search just now.

wschruba

I'd second the paint. Use a self-etching primer, and the paint will stick much better. It will work best with metal, as the plastic flexing will cause the paint to flake/crack.

TenSpeedV2

Or you could use this to make sure that you really want safety orange bike fenders. No primer, very little prep. Spray and let dry and then install. If you don't like it, you peel it off. No harm no foul. No I don't work for them, and yes I have used it before. Works like a charm if you ask me.



Available at most Home Depot and DipYourCar.com - Plasti Dip For Your Car - World Famous Peelable Auto Paint if you want to see what else is available.
Here is a car dipped in Firebelly Orange.



And here was one of my projects a few years ago. Front wheel is dipped in that Blaze orange. Rear wheel is dipped in just flat black. Both were peeled shortly after this was taken after getting a new crank installed. The overspray on the tire peels right off, was just lazy and had not done it yet.

AlmostTrick

I used Krylon Fusion spray paint made for plastic. It also doesn't require a primer, but I did sand the fenders dull with fine sanding cloth before painting. I also put a light matt clear coat on top to match the matt finish on the frame. No flakes or chips in almost a year, but I'm very careful with my bike. Even so, it seems like pretty tough stuff to me.

I also primed and painted my fender stays flat black...

skimaxpower

Thanks! This seems like the best DIY option.

I also found a small indie company called Portland Fender Company which makes nice steel fenders in a variety of fun colors:

chas58

Good ideas.
The most durable option would be to get a local shop to powder coat them.

If you use spray paint, PLEASE sand them to give the paint something to stick to. Glossy surfaces don't hold paint very well.
(like AlmostTrick said)

chas58

Darth Vader sword fighting on a hockey rink**********

AlmostTrick

LOL... I was wondering if anyone would notice him... Nothing gets by this bunch.

chas58

Sweet! Now I know.

That Nashbar frame bag has been my goto bag on my commuter too....

TenSpeedV2

Sanding is only needed if you paint. If you use Plasti-Dip, you simply need to clean the surface and let it dry. That is the only prep needed. It will stick to any type of surface from glossy plastic to rough metal. That is because it is not paint. That's a whole other thread however.

Mr Pink57

Not mine from here.

RubeRad

Commenting just to subscribe, OP I hope you come back and give us some pics of the finished bike...

Trueblood

I have these fenders as well on one of my bikes. They are soma fab. It really isn't a hi-viz orange, more of a burnt orange or orange red. Sure, it stands out during day time, but probably won't do much to improve visibility at night.

Soma fab seems to not sell them anymore and only has their newer model, the rain dog fenders. Soma Rain Dog Fenders | SOMA Fabrications

Andy_K 

Just saw these today:

Juicy Orange Stainless Steel Full Coverage Fender Set 700c x 46mm ? Portland Fender Company

Very nice looking fenders, though I wish the stays had a safety release mechanism.

Edit: I see you found them previously. In person the finish is very nice.

noglider 

At the top of each thread is a dropdown menu marked Thread Tools. You can subscribe from there without dropping a comment in.

It took me a long time to learn this, too. It would be nice if it were obviouser.

RubeRad

I do that sometimes, but also wanted to let OP know I'm interested in his project and would like to see pics.

skimaxpower

Sorry for the long delay, all. Here's a photo of the finished product, steel fenders from Portland Fender Company.

noglider 

Thanks for letting us know. How do you like them?

skimaxpower

Factory hardware rattled, I had to swap in a Planet Bike plastic fender attachment at the seatstay bridge.
The coverage up front is very generous - a little too generous because I prefer a fork-mounted car rack. I have to remove the front fender to load the bike on the car (a minor annoyance.) On the other hand, the fender provides great coverage.
Materials seem sturdy, well constructed, high quality paint job.