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In Praise of Fenders

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In Praise of Fenders

Old 11-25-08, 09:23 AM
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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.
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Old 11-25-08, 09:38 AM
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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.
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Old 11-25-08, 09:52 AM
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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.
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Old 11-25-08, 09:55 AM
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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.
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Old 11-25-08, 09:59 AM
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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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Old 11-25-08, 10:04 AM
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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.
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Old 11-25-08, 10:13 AM
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I absolutely must have fenders on my commuter. Can't always predict the weather.
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Old 11-25-08, 10:33 AM
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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.
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Old 11-25-08, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
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.
Next time just tell him the fenders reduce the drag of your rear wheel.
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Old 11-25-08, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by datlas
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.
True - after a few rides like that and you could never imagine taking them off.
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Old 11-25-08, 11:44 AM
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On wet rides, whether or not you have fenders can make the difference between your ride being loads of fun, or stressful.
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Old 11-25-08, 12:02 PM
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I love my PB Cascadias, and I think they look great on my bike!
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Old 11-25-08, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by shouldberiding
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.
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Old 11-25-08, 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by shouldberiding
I love my PB Cascadias, and I think they look great on my bike!
Will the Cascadia's work on my 7.3FX with disc brakes? Any problems installing them?
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Old 11-25-08, 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
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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Old 11-25-08, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver
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 agree. To me, a bike without fender and chain guard almost looks "naked" !!
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Old 11-25-08, 03:07 PM
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With how the weather is shaping up around here today, I'm glad to have full fenders and long mudflaps.
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Old 11-25-08, 03:12 PM
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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...
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Old 11-25-08, 03:13 PM
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After my first ride in the rain, the fenders became very important. Oily water in the face SUCKS!
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Old 11-25-08, 03:15 PM
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+1 for fenders, honjos especially
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Old 11-25-08, 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by mattm
+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.
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Old 11-25-08, 03:29 PM
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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.
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Old 11-25-08, 03:59 PM
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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.
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Old 11-25-08, 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by weavers
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.
https://velo-orange.com/fepaandha.html
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Old 11-25-08, 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
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.
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....
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