Fenders

[rphetteplace]

Any suggestions from the cool kids what everyone is rocking for fenders these days? I'm going to try and be a good boy and commute to work more often this year. Thanks

[hampco]

of course: honjo 35mm smooth

detail pix here: http://www.hampsten.com/Tournesol/leger.html

[Scott G.]

Fender Fest

http://www.velo-orange.com/fenders.html

Hammered, Fluted, LaPaon, Zeppelin, Stainless matte or polished.

[Ray]

For function, you can't beat SKS or Plant Bike plastic ones. Easy to set up, easy on and off, etc. Perfectly functional. For beauty, you have your Honjos, Berthouds, and various custom and wooden fenders that you can find if you look around. I have Honjos on my town bike because the whole bike is quite purty and so the fenders should be too. But SKS on anything else that I put fenders on because they're easier to deal with and waaaay functional.

-Ray

[mschol17]

I would argue that the extra length in metal fenders is the main component in functionality, unless you're going to add flaps to your plastic fenders.

Metal fenders look better, too.

[coylifut]

the planet bike fenders are far superior to the SKS fenders. SKS fenders ALLWAYS crack over time. I've yet to crack a planet bike fender. pretty fenders are neat and all, but if you are going to comute every day in all conditions, your bike will be perpetually covered in a dirty slime. spend the money if you wish, but a set of $30 fenders works the same as a set of $85 fenders.

[fixednwinter]

of course: honjo 35mm smooth

detail pix here: http://www.hampsten.com/Tournesol/leger.html

Or if you're using 28mm tires, Honjo 43mm hammered finish. A thing of beauty! Even with the extra long, add a flap to really protect toes from spray in the winter.

[Blue Jays]

My taste draws me towards fluted fenders, although I'm wondering if hammered fenders would better hide the dings & dents of life? All are attractive in a do-everything-bike way.

[Ray]

the planet bike fenders are far superior to the SKS fenders. SKS fenders ALLWAYS crack over time. I've yet to crack a planet bike fender. pretty fenders are neat and all, but if you are going to comute every day in all conditions, your bike will be perpetually covered in a dirty slime. spend the money if you wish, but a set of $30 fenders works the same as a set of $85 fenders.

I wouldn't argue against Planet Bike, but I've never had problems with SKS. I have the same set on my Rambouillet that I put on it back in 2002. It's seen many thousands of miles as a light touring bike and a fixie, including plenty of dirt and gravel roads, which shake things up pretty well. They're still going strong. I've never had another set crack either, but none in service as long or heavily as those. So I wouldn't necessarily avoid SKS either.

-Ray

[jimi]

There is a world of difference between plastic and metal fenders. Metal fenders are much better at keeping you dry. My 40mm wide Berthoud's keep me much dryer than the 36mm SKS fenders they replaced.

A big problem with the Planet Bike and SKS fenders is that the bracket that the stays attach to on the fender is mounted on the inside of the fender. Doing this causes water to collect at the bracket and dribble out the side of the fender. That and they're much shorter than metal ones.

I dig my Berthouds but you really can't beat Honjo's for the looks.

jimi

[fixednwinter]

My taste draws me towards fluted fenders, although I'm wondering if hammered fenders would better hide the dings & dents of life? All are attractive in a do-everything-bike way.

Hi BJ;

You remember the hammered fenders on my Strada Bianca pics from last year? I've put them through two miserable winters of salt and crud from riding in a Canadian city. The Honjo's still look good and you're right, the hammered finish tends to hide scratches and dents.

[Johny]

the planet bike fenders are far superior to the SKS fenders. SKS fenders ALLWAYS crack over time. I've yet to crack a planet bike fender. pretty fenders are neat and all, but if you are going to comute every day in all conditions, your bike will be perpetually covered in a dirty slime. spend the money if you wish, but a set of $30 fenders works the same as a set of $85 fenders.

Cracked two SKS rear fenders in two summers. My next set is Planet (already here). I agree if you commute everyday, fenders are just tools.

[coylifut]

I wouldn't argue against Planet Bike, but I've never had problems with SKS. I have the same set on my Rambouillet that I put on it back in 2002. It's seen many thousands of miles as a light touring bike and a fixie, including plenty of dirt and gravel roads, which shake things up pretty well. They're still going strong. I've never had another set crack either, but none in service as long or heavily as those. So I wouldn't necessarily avoid SKS either.

-Ray

i've never had a set of SKS fenders not eventually crack. That's at least 3-4 sets. I live in Portland OR, and ride 10k+ miles a year. About 5k on a fendered bike. The SKS fenders always (and i mean always) break at the rear brake bridge.

For the record, I'm not trying to discourage anyone from paying up for the nice metal fenders. Please do. However, if you are going to commute on a cheap bike because of not wanting to expose it to weather, thieves and the wear and tear that only a commuter takes, don't be affraid to slap on some Freddy Fenders. The Planet Bike folks do a good job of thinking through their products and believe, as I do, that their products are "real fenders" too. They are quite easy to exend and doing so provides a personal touch.

[Blue Jays]

fixednwinter, yep, I remember your shimmering green Hampsten Strada Bianca very well!
Good to hear the metal fenders are doing well with the crazy Toronto weather.

[72gmc]

I run 40mm Berthouds on the nice bike and SKS on the winter bike. I much prefer the Berthouds--no rattle, great protection--but I wish the front fender was longer. I don't want a leather mudflap.

[davids]

If your frame doesn't have the necessary braze-ons or clearance, the SKS Race Blades are much, much better than nothing. I've had a set on my Seven for a year and a half now. Once I gave up on the rubber-band attachments are replaced them with zipties, they've been stable and sturdy. They kept me mostly dry last weekend in sloppy conditions.

I am, however, looking forward to having a first-class road bike with full fenders - The Race Blades are much too abbreviated to compete with a true full fender. I'm looking longingly at the hammered Honjos. Because it's as important to look good as to feel good.

[GrantM]

There is a world of difference between plastic and metal fenders. Metal fenders are much better at keeping you dry. My 40mm wide Berthoud's keep me much dryer than the 36mm SKS fenders they replaced.

A big problem with the Planet Bike and SKS fenders is that the bracket that the stays attach to on the fender is mounted on the inside of the fender. Doing this causes water to collect at the bracket and dribble out the side of the fender. That and they're much shorter than metal ones.

I dig my Berthouds but you really can't beat Honjo's for the looks.

jimi

I use plastic fenders. By taking two rears, and cut one down for use on the front,
you can position the front for best coverage. In terms of performance,
there is no difference between metal and plastic if they're the same length.
The bracket attachment for a front fork can be the same as any honjo.


-g

[Rico]

I have a Litespeed Tuscany that I run skinny tires on and have modified to use Berthouds carbon fiber fenders.
Work well enough and are almost invisible.
Will post pictures some time but right now I'm laid up with diverticulitis.
On the pain meds and antibiotics and ready to hit the bed for a couple days.

[pdxmech13]

[QUOTE=coylifut;68261]the planet bike fenders are far superior to the SKS fenders. SKS fenders ALLWAYS crack over time. I've yet to crack a planet bike fender.

I can agree with all of what Colyfit said above. The Cascadia fender from Planet bike is bomb proof thus far and what's not to love about rubber mud flaps. The polycarbonate has a longer life that the aluminum with plastic infection molding.

[dwightskin]

Check out peter white's text on fenders:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fenders.asp

Also, I've had SKS (formerly ESGE) fenders for years with no cracking.

Some earlier Zefals cracked - they were plastic-only, no metal in them.

I have Planet Bike "hard core" and they have been OK, too. The Cascadia look great, haven't tried them.

You really, really need a good front mudflap. but you can make one yourself by cutting up a plastic milk carton and bolting to the fender.