Fenders - Size up or Down
03-30-22, 10:04 AM
#1
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Fenders - Size up or Down
Hello I recently picked up a Kona Dew and have been having some struggles trying to fit fenders. The tire size is 650 B by 47 mm. Currently I have a pair of fenders 700 C by 50 mm which seem to fit reasonably. I know the rule of thumb is to have fenders 8 to 10 mm wider than the tire. The problem is the fork on the Kona is pretty narrow at the top which would squish fenders of that width. The 50 mm fenders currently in there, although do not provide more than 3 mm of clearance over the tires, fit nicely between the fork.
so my question is would you prefer to have fenders that are perhaps not the ideal width for tire coverage and fit nicely between the stays and the fork? Or would the preference be to have wider fenders that might need some modification at the fork but cover the tire?
Thanks
so my question is would you prefer to have fenders that are perhaps not the ideal width for tire coverage and fit nicely between the stays and the fork? Or would the preference be to have wider fenders that might need some modification at the fork but cover the tire?
Thanks
03-30-22, 10:19 AM
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so my question is would you prefer to have fenders that are perhaps not the ideal width for tire coverage and fit nicely between the stays and the fork? Or would the preference be to have wider fenders that might need some modification at the fork but cover the tire?
03-30-22, 10:47 AM
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Don't expect an aftermarket set of fenders to fit without modification.
When I had my shop I eventually reached the point of pricing aftermarket fender installations on a time and materials basis. I'm not smart enough to look at a bike and fender and intuitively know which ones are going to bolt right up and which are going to require major surgery.
When I had my shop I eventually reached the point of pricing aftermarket fender installations on a time and materials basis. I'm not smart enough to look at a bike and fender and intuitively know which ones are going to bolt right up and which are going to require major surgery.
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03-30-22, 11:12 AM
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It really just depends on your tolerance for a little spray to escape the edges of the fender. Mine only have about 3mm of over-coverage and it's never been a problem, but I live in the southern US. If I rode in Ontario winters, I'd probably opt for wider.
03-30-22, 02:16 PM
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I tend to like tight fender lines so I’m inclined to go smaller
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03-30-22, 06:02 PM
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I’m definitely a fan of a good, close fitting fender. I have a set of 45 fenders over the top of 42 tires on one bike. A set of 55’s over 50 tires on another. And a set of 36’s over 32 tires where the mfg says not to run tires wider than 30’s.
A good, straight, and even installation is important if you want to run your fenders close but it’s doable.
A good, straight, and even installation is important if you want to run your fenders close but it’s doable.
03-30-22, 06:20 PM
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I have found that It kind pf depends on the tires and what you are riding through. If they are slicks and its just road spray, that mostly is being flung off from the center of the tire, so you don't need that wide a fender. On the other hand, if you have side lugs that are going to be picking up mud and water, then you want some extra width.
So for my commuter bike, I am fine with fenders barely wider than the tires. On my fat bike I want them a little wider. My rear is cutting it pretty close, and sometimes a tiny bit of mud makes it past.
So for my commuter bike, I am fine with fenders barely wider than the tires. On my fat bike I want them a little wider. My rear is cutting it pretty close, and sometimes a tiny bit of mud makes it past.
03-31-22, 05:09 AM
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FYI/PSA, here is a great tutorial on fitting fenders (including dimpling, re-radiusing, etc).
Nice, tight fender-lines are aesthetically appealing, but if you do any gravel riding tighter fenders are a bit more likely to result in the annoying 'tsssss-zzzzziiiiing, tsssss-zzzzzziiiing!' as tiny stones get picked up by the tires.
Nice, tight fender-lines are aesthetically appealing, but if you do any gravel riding tighter fenders are a bit more likely to result in the annoying 'tsssss-zzzzziiiiing, tsssss-zzzzzziiiing!' as tiny stones get picked up by the tires.
03-31-22, 10:43 AM
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Hello I recently picked up a Kona Dew and have been having some struggles trying to fit fenders. The tire size is 650 B by 47 mm. Currently I have a pair of fenders 700 C by 50 mm which seem to fit reasonably. I know the rule of thumb is to have fenders 8 to 10 mm wider than the tire. The problem is the fork on the Kona is pretty narrow at the top which would squish fenders of that width. The 50 mm fenders currently in there, although do not provide more than 3 mm of clearance over the tires, fit nicely between the fork.
so my question is would you prefer to have fenders that are perhaps not the ideal width for tire coverage and fit nicely between the stays and the fork? Or would the preference be to have wider fenders that might need some modification at the fork but cover the tire?
so my question is would you prefer to have fenders that are perhaps not the ideal width for tire coverage and fit nicely between the stays and the fork? Or would the preference be to have wider fenders that might need some modification at the fork but cover the tire?
