I was coming back from yoga tonight and boy, I was really glad that I’ve got a pair of full-coverage fenders on my trusty old Trek! It was right around freezing, and pouring down rain, and not only were the fenders keeping the water from splashing in my face and on my back, but they were also protecting the bike’s components from water and debris. It’s amazing how a $20-50 biking accessory can make one’s winter rides so much more bearable and sometimes even pleasant, and it’s strange how many folks seem to think they can do without them. If you can afford them, they’re a no-brainer, if you ask me.
This time of year, we install a lot of fenders at Upcycles, and we’ve got quite a selection to fit just about any bike and budget. There are a few things to consider when shopping for fenders:
- clearance
- cost
- material/color
First, we’ve got to make sure that your bike has enough clearance, or space, between the brake/frame and the tire. There is unfortunately no way to accurately determine this, besides eyeballing, and at Upcycles, our eyeballs are specially trained. If your bike can accommodate full-length fenders, that is the best option. If not, there are partial and quick-release fenders that can do an adequate job. In some cases, with some special brackets and workshop magic, we can turn a set of full fenders to fit a low-clearance bike (this magic costs extra, and involves some labor on our part, but the result is pretty slick!) Here are some of the models that we usually stock:
Planet Bike Full $30+$20 labor
Planet Bike Hardcore $40 +$20 labor
Planet Bike Cascadia $50+$20 labor
Planet Bike Speedez $45+$20 labor
Velo Orange Hammered Fenders $65+$35 labor
Plastic fenders are the standard, and they look fine, can take a beating and can last a few years. Metal fenders (usually aluminum) are sturdier, but are also heavier, more costly, and sometimes develop rattles – they sure look beautiful though, especially on older bikes!
The clip-on fenders below are especially popular with single-speed and fixie riders, as they can easily be removed when not needed, and are pretty inexpensive to boot. Plus, you don’t have to pay us to install them.
SKS MudX Front Mud Guard $10
SKS Xtra Dry Rear Fender $20
If you already have some fenders and they need some assistance, we’ve got a bin full of small parts, from fender-specific nuts and bolts, to stays and mounts. Much more could be said about fenders here, in fact, I could probably write an entire book, or at least a ‘zine. In conclusion, just remember that:
- fenders are awesome
- they look pretty cool
- they’re not too expensive
- whatever you ride, Upcycles can set you up with fenders!
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