Like cold-weather outerwear, mudguards or fenders are a regional requirement: crucial in some places, ridiculous in others. If you live somewhere with regular seasonal precipitation, fenders are a necessity. As someone who grew up in New England and spent the past decade in the PNW, I’ve tried just about every type of fender, and I’ve learned a few things along the way. For those of you in arid or semi-arid climates, you can skip this: keep enjoying the dry roads, cloudless skies, and know that while you may be living in riding heaven, you’re in for a soft ride. (Just kidding.)
I live in Seattle, Washington, where we get about 150 rainy days a year. Most days, it’s just a drizzle. Staying home when the roads are wet means never being able to ride your bike. While getting caught in a downpour is no fun, riding in the rain can be enjoyable if you have the right gear. A breathable, waterproof jacket, warm gloves and shoe covers can be helpful, but the most important piece of gear is a pair of mudguards/fenders. Here’s why: When it rains, most of the water is on the ground. The right fenders can keep it that way.
Types of fenders/fenders
Even some professional players use Ass Savers during competitions
(Image source: Getty Images)
There are several types of fenders/fenders. The first is the small clip-on variety, such as the aptly named Ass Saver. This beautiful piece of polypropylene installs in seconds and helps prevent road spray from staining your chamois. It won’t do much for you if it does rain, but for wet roads it works great for keeping the rear half dry.
Next up are larger partial-coverage clip-on fenders, such as the SKS Race Blade, which mount to your frame and fork via rubber band-type fittings and help keep your bike dry, but don’t fully protect your bike from damage. Affected by rain and road dirt. These work well on bikes without mounting points, but aren’t as strong as full-coverage fenders. Even if installed carefully, they can move around while riding and can also damage your bike’s paint or scratch your bike.
The last and best fender option is a full coverage fender such as one made by vero orange or Portland Design Works, which attach via dedicated mounting points on the frame and fork (usually two positions in the front and three in the rear). They won’t rattle or move while riding and fully protect the bike, rider and drivetrain from the elements. High-end metal fenders will also be seamlessly integrated, closely matching the tire lines for a visually cohesive look.
Installation tips and tricks
(Image credit: Paul Greer)
I’ve had a lot of practice putting fenders on bikes over the years. We have multiple bikes in the house that seasonally have fenders; they are installed in the fall and removed in the spring.
The first installation is always the trickiest as you need to find the appropriate number of spacers and fasteners for each installation location. Estimated installation budget is thirty minutes to one hour. If you get easily frustrated by tedious tasks, take your bike to a local shop and have fenders installed by a professional.
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If you insist on installing it yourself, here are some tips:
Always start with the front fender – it’s easier
Install the tie rods before the bridge, but don’t fully tighten the fasteners until the end
Be prepared to turn the wheel on and off a few times to dial everything in
Take the time to get your fender lines fixed – it may take a while, but it’s worth it
Make sure the fenders are not holding tension
Once the radius is perfectly matched to the tire circumference, the final bar should center the fender on each wheel
It is important to inspect all bolts regularly as even Loctite fasteners can loosen on their own. An accidental fender break can result in a catastrophic failure that could very well send you crashing to the ground. You don’t want this to happen.
When it’s time to remove them, don’t remove them quickly and carelessly without noticing. To avoid the same anxiety the next time you need to install them, mark which bolts go where and put all the bolts, nuts, and washers into a plastic bag so they’re ready for the next time you use them. This will make future installations smoother.
Questions raised by Findlay
(Image credit: Chris Capol)
What is the difference between a fender and a fender?
These are just region-specific terms. They mean the same thing.
How wide should my fenders be?
Wider than your tires. Ideally, 5mm wide on each side. So if you have 35mm tires, you should choose 45mm wide fenders.
Which is better, plastic fender or metal fender?
I prefer metal fenders because they are generally stiffer, lighter, and look better. However, they are usually more expensive than plastic.
How much space is left between the tire and fender?
Here are some personal preferences depending on where you ride. For road riding applications with minimal debris, 5mm is usually sufficient. This gives the tires a little wiggle room but keeps the fenders out of the way (minimizing toe overlap). For gravel roads or other off-road adventures, you’ll want to allow extra room (at least 1cm) to allow dirt, pebbles, etc. to pass through without getting stuck or causing punctures.
What is a “buddy flap”?
The Buddy Fender is an extra long fender that attaches to the rear of the rear fender. A properly sized spray will almost reach the ground, preventing any spray from hitting anyone riding behind you. Usually made of rubber or leather. This is necessary if you like your friends.
final thoughts
ULTIMATE FENDER: Full coverage titanium fender, painted to match your bike
(Image source: Bicycle No. 22)
If you live in a humid climate then I recommend getting a bike with fender mounts and investing in some high quality metal fenders. Install them slowly so that the fender lines match the tires and are evenly centered on each wheel – there’s nothing worse than looking down at a crooked fender on the front wheel.
Once installed, be sure to check the fasteners every few rides to make sure nothing is loose.
Some riders keep their fenders on their bikes year-round, while others take them off seasonally; either way is fine, just make sure you have a buddy fender when riding with friends That’s it.
