Fenders

[cyclesafe]

I know that Sheldon Brown doesn't think partial fenders are worth the candle, but I can't help wondering why fender manufacturers still offer a number in the market - particularly for use on mountain bikes while doing mountain bike sorts of things.

If I put full fenders on my touring bike, I would restrict the width of tires I could use, I would have to buy a longer fork for my BOB, and I would suffer the scorn of children passing me on their now much cooler Walmart-bought BMX machines.

Does anybody have any experience in actually using partial fenders?  Will they keep mud off my shoes and crank in front and off my buttocks in back?  How about grunge guards?  

[Peterpan]

Comuting, trail riding, touring?

You can end up riding in the rain for days on a tour.  With full fender, I just didn't notice any problems. When it was bright and lovely they didn't seem to be slowing me down or getting caught on stuff, when it was wet, no water reached me.  Cool wise I think there is a change underway.  When we got hte first racing bikes, they were cool because they didn't have fenders, folks riding them were in the know while others weren't.  These days the snobery is running the other way with the insiders understanding the long forgoten details of all weather biking.  It's because the other guys don't get it that it is cool.  Of course it helps to have nice fenders.

[AJB]

I have a Specialized Rockhopper from the late 1990's and I have no problems with full fenders and my BOB trailer. The full fenders are zefal brand. I think they look pretty cool, almost as much as my horn in the shape of a rhino (from the kids department of big box stores).  Coolness is like tastes, it cannot be disputed but only appreciated. Cycle on troops!

[Dan]

In January I purchased Planet Bikes Freddy Fenders Hardcord (full coverage with mudflaps) for my 1993 Trek 930 mt. bike turned commuter bike.  They come in sizes that fit tires up to 2.1 inches.  I think they look cool and they work great too! They should fit your touring bike.  I think the front fender is the most important, especially the part that come around the back of the front tire that catches spray that would hit the feet, bottom bracket, and front chainrings.  I also have the kind of partial fenders you mentioned for my trek 8000 mt bike.  They aren't really worth having in my opinion.  I recently took a saw and cut off about 6-8 inches of the front part of the front fender and bolted it to the rear part of the front fender to extend it lower to the ground to hopefully help stop some spray from hitting the chainrings and feet.  It does work better but not nearly as good as the freddy fenders.  I've used "grunge guards" too but also feel they are completely worthless.  A rear rack with a z-rest sleeping pad in a cover of "Tyvek" on it sticking off the back does a great job keeping the mud off your back.  

[driftlessregion]

Full fenders don't affect BOBs and make it nicer for anyone following behind you.

[TheDaltonBoys]

Have "partials" on my Miyata Mtn. bike slick tired (Schwalbe Marathons) commuter bike. Car-Free since 2000, and I only get slightly less wet with them. Full Planet Bike fenders on my Recumbent Trike and am now looking to put full version of same on the commuter and take the partials off...the BoB has its own fender and has always worked well. Enjoy the voyage........Mark of the Dalton Boys

[OmahaNeb]

Here is my real life story of the benefits of fenders.  I live in the Midwest around cattle/hog country.  An 18 wheeler cattle truck hand emptied his cargo of animals and washed the trailer out.  Then he drove off down the highway.  I was riding behind the 18 wheeler draining water/fecal matter left on the highway.  I was sure glad I had fenders.

[DaveB]

Partial fenders are not nearly as good as full coverage fenders but are certainly better than doing without.  There are a lot of road bikes with frame, fork and brake clearances that won't allow full fenders so only clip-on partials will fit.

If full fenders fit, use them but, if not, anything is better than nothing.

[Beep!Beep!]

Find the frame keeps you clean at the front with no 'guards and at the rear use a full or sometimes a front or shortie. The full size works best and here in the UK we can chose 'guards' to suit different tyre widths so see no reason for sacrificing tyre widths. My beach cruiser has 'guards for 35C tyres yet accepts a 40-45C tyre with no fouling. If you see the fenders you like take a pocket tape and measure all the clearances around the stays and that should answer your question. Don't forget to buy a size larger if using using a knob tread!!!