In Praise of Fenders
#51
Old and in the way.
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.
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.
Remember: “No front fender = I H8 myself, no rear fender means I H8 everyone including myself”!🤣
#52
Old and in the way.
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.
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#53
tantum vehi
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On the ride that inspired me to revive this thread, the guy who was “leading” the ride wheel sucked me through a tight, windy section with no shoulder and moderate traffic (i.e single file riding). I asked if he was doing OK and he replied, “Why do you think I’m following you?”
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1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
#54
Happy banana slug
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With fenders on, I tend to seek out puddles; puddles are fun.
#55
Randomhead
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I got an email notification, which means it's a really old thread because I turned off notifications pretty soon after I joined up. So my first thought was that a spammer had bumped the thread.
Not sure I have any other contributions to the thread, but I had some dreams about fenders last night so they must be important to me.
Not sure I have any other contributions to the thread, but I had some dreams about fenders last night so they must be important to me.
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#58
Junior Member
I'm doing STP this year. I have struggled with leaving my fenders on or taking them off for the ride. I have the Portland Design Works full metal fenders on my 2013 Cannondale Synapse. I guess some purists might make a smart remark about the fenders, but I do like the idea of protecting the drive train from road grit throughout the 200+ miles down to Portland. I'm currently training with the fenders on, cause, you know...it's the PNW. I don't really notice the fenders while riding so I'll probably keep them on.
#59
Grillparzer
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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.
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.
#60
tantum vehi
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Did a 49-mile gravel ride then 20-mile pavement commute home this Sunday. It poured before and briefly rained a few times during. The commute was at the end of another rain storm. It’s a little hard to tell from this photo, but my friends have rain jackets on because of the rain and mud. I just wore my wool Cino jersey and didn’t even have to wash it when done.
1984 Stumpjumper Sport with VO fenders:
Trail Grooming:
Out west it’s not urine, it’s more likely bear scat or horse pucky this time of year.
1984 Stumpjumper Sport with VO fenders:
Trail Grooming:
Out west it’s not urine, it’s more likely bear scat or horse pucky this time of year.
#61
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I realized that fenders protect me from dirty water and without fenders, the dirty water can easily stain my clothes while the rain water from the sky will not stain my clothes.
#62
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To be a real commuter, you have to have mudguards on your bike. Their absence is a clear indication you are a clear weather cyclist or hardcore roady.
#63
aka Tom Reingold
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Or you just haven't discovered the advantages of fenders. I rode for years without them and heard they help, but I didn't believe the difference was significant. I would get wet and dirty. I discovered what a difference they make long ago. Now I prefer to have them, of course.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#64
Disco Infiltrator
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We also here mostly want to see more people riding bikes and setting rules about who's doing sincerely enough like Linus and the Great Pumpkin is unhelpful
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 07-23-22 at 04:53 PM.