LHT Fenders - specific

[John Grossbohlin]

I've scoured the forums and see Planet Bike and SKS Long Board fenders receive good recommendations. I am unsure of which specific model, in black, of each would fit on my LHT with the stock 37X700 tires.  Can someone(s) identify the proper fenders from the 2012 QBP on-line catalog for me?

This link gets you to roughly the correct page in the catalog. 

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/a8e5bd2a#/a8e5bd2a/1234

I've got Trek Interchange Nebula fenders on our Trek 520s. They work well as fenders but the rattling at the quick release studs and stay/fender connections is annoying. Thus far a permanent solution to that problem has not been found--rubber electrical splicing tape worked for a while but that breaks down--so I want to try something different on the LHT.

Thanks

[DaveB]

I have the Planet Bike 42 mm fenders (QBP #FE2522) on my Surly Cross Check with 700-28 tires.  They would cover up to 700-32 but probably wouldn't be adequate for 700-37 tires, particularly if they really were 37 mm wide.   The PB's were inexpensive, relatively easy to install and have been very secure but probably won't be sufficient for you.  Too narrow is almost as bad as not having any.

The SKS "Chromoplast" fenders are probably the ones you want.  The P50 (QBP #FE1016) is rated to cover up to a 700-45 tire while none of the other SKS fenders seem wide enough.   You could add your own mud flaps to increase the length if you wish.   

[Gizmosity]

The FE1013 Longboard 45 in black is what I have on my LHT.  I installed them with my stock Conti 37-622 tires and they fit perfect.  I switched to a Schwalbe Marathon 37-622 with no fitment issues.  Both of these are a 700x35.  As has been mentioned, if you are truly running 37's they may not work, while the fender would adequately cover a 37, the mounting hardware could contact the tire. 

If you're running larger than 35's, as has been mentioned, the P50 would be the way to go within the SKS line.  I assume they would fit and I've thought of going with a wider tire and getting a set of them, although they don't seem to cover as much of the tire as the Longboards, a mudflap is easy enough to cobble together and attach.

[John Grossbohlin]

I just had an "ah ha" moment... the tires are 37-622 which is aka 700 x 35... I clearly lost track of the size designation when I wrote the original message.  I should have written and thought 37-622 or 700 x 35, not 37 x 700!

Anyhow, that simplifies things as the FE1013 Longboard 45 should work fine.

Thanks for helping me see the errors of my ways!

[DaveB]

Well, 700-35 tires should not be the same as 700-37 (or 37-622 which is exactly the same thing) since one should be 35 mm wide as the other 37 mm.  However, most tires are, in reality, somewhat narrower than their labeled size.  That's why I said if your 37 mm tires are really 37 mm, you will probably not have adequate coverage without the P50 fenders. . 

[morganjg]

The SKS Longboard 45 will still work with a 37mm tire width. I routinely use them with a 38mm tire for winter commuting with no issues. The real treat to these fenders are the extended length, on very wet roads there is little to no spray on the crank or shoes which is a very nice feature.

[Pat]

I had an odd thing happen with Planet Bike fender.  My son drove my wife and me from San Jose to Corvalis, around 800 miles I guess.  My bike was the inboard bike on the rack.  When I got there, I found my front fender had "torn".  Because we were starting the Oregon coast the next day, I borrowed duct tape from by brother in law and taped it together.  It held for the 400 miles of the trip.

Now, when I move the bikes using the car, I duct tape the leading edge of the fender down to the tire.  I pull it off before we start to ride, and everything works out.

Happy trails,

Pat