In Praise of Fenders
 

I had a very wet commute home last night....medium amount of rain and temps around 40F. The roads were all covered in water.

Luckily I had (finally) finished installing the fenders on my SS commuter...and the ride home was actually pleasant. It was late, about 8:30PM, so there was minimal traffic. I took my time, especially on corners....and luckily had a waterproof jacket and booties on....so I was fairly dry and comfy. The experience was actually relaxing and refreshing, almost zenlike.

If I did not have my fenders, I know I would have been a miserable wet mess.

I used to find fenders ugly looking and vowed to never run 'em on my bike. One long very wet and cold slog home changed my mind very quickly.

I LOVE fenders. One of my prerequisites for a bike that I might actually ride in rain is that I can mount fenders on it. PB's, SKS's, whatever. So long as they fit and work, it makes me happy.

Here in CT, it's a miserable wet, sloshy day today. I rode to school this morning, even across a VERY rain soaked field. Water was going everywhere... except up on me. I'm pretty dry.
I love my fenders. Wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm saving up (I know, it's pathetic) for a set of fenders on my Trek 7.3FX.

I haven't had much problems riding in rainy/wet conditions, but I'm excited about the "keeping crud off my drivetrain" protection.

I leave my fenders on all year. It was funny, because during STP it was blazing sun and in the upper 90s, and I'm cranking along with my fenders on. A guy from one of the eastern WA clubs was joking with me and said "it's sure a good thing you've got those fenders on there today", and I told him it was to protect my tires from sun damage. I'm not sure if he thought I was serious or not. :p

At our shop I meet a lot of Europeans who often say they don't understand why bikes here don't come with fenders and chain guards... like them I find them to be essential on a commuter or utilitarian bike.

In most cases I find that fenders complete the look of a bike.

I absolutely must have fenders on my commuter. Can't always predict the weather.

My MTB (winter bike) has them with mud flaps and the other (non-winter) has the smaller ones to keep at least from getting soaked.

I think they are a must in the colder weather to cut down on the feet and/or booties from getting so soaked...and to cut down somewhat on the abuse the poor drive train takes.

Next time just tell him the fenders reduce the drag of your rear wheel.

True - after a few rides like that and you could never imagine taking them off.

On wet rides, whether or not you have fenders can make the difference between your ride being loads of fun, or stressful.

I love my PB Cascadias, and I think they look great on my bike!

My ex's silver and black 2007 Giant OCR3 looks spectacular with the PB Cascadias I installed on there at the beginning of the summer.

Will the Cascadia's work on my 7.3FX with disc brakes? Any problems installing them?

:roflmao2:

I agree. To me, a bike without fender and chain guard almost looks "naked" !!

With how the weather is shaping up around here today, I'm glad to have full fenders and long mudflaps.

I hate fenders, but not as much as I hate mud and road gunk up my back.

Can't wait until the bike can get back into its summer wardrobe, though...

After my first ride in the rain, the fenders became very important. Oily water in the face SUCKS! :D

+1 for fenders, honjos especially

OK, let me clarify my hatred.

If I could get Honjos for my 20" wheels, I'd love fenders.

But I can't.

So I don't.

My newest bike wasn't coming home from the store without a set of fenders. So now my 08 Jamis Coda is wearing it Planet Bike Full Hybrids. I think it looks much better with them...add in my rain cape and I'm all set.

i recently got a pair of full metal fenders for free. only problem is that they have no attachment. i got some wire, like from a metal wire fence, and am in the process of trying to fit them to eyelet or quick release and the fender itself. its a time consuming project.

for the next few days i'll be using cheap zip tie plastic mtb fenders. partial coverage, its ok for me, but makes the bike a huge mess, still its a quick and easy laundery saver.

I had mine off for a whole month around that time. About a week before the STP and a few after. I really had a hard time taking them off though. It is hard to believe there is any 48 hour period where it won't rain. As I recall I went so far as to take them to the start line, just in case....