Fenders

Getting sick of the wet muddy life we have had in Kansas. Thinking it's time to get some fenders. What do you run? what do you like? and why!

On my list so far is the SKS Velo 55 Cross.


FYI the sooner I buy fenders the sooner we will find the summer heat wave and all the rain will stop.

I bought a set of those fenders and found:
- the rear fender fit OK. It's a little floppy (it seems a bit long from mount point to rear tip to be unsupported by struts), but it never drags on the tire that I noticed. The front tab thing that mounts to your seat post is kind of narrow and a little too deep, so if your tire is very close to your seat post it might not fit.
- I could not get the front fender to work on my carbon fork. The fork is very rounded on the inside; it has plenty of TIRE clearance, but the very curved shape of the inside of the fork makes mounting the fender very difficult. Even after some judicious editing with a utility blade (took out about 40% of the fender width where it runs between tire and fork), it still wouldn't mount up.

I only paid $20 so I'm ok with just running the rear fender for that price, but they're not as universal as I'd hoped.

For the SKS Velo 55 Cross you can buy a set of struts relatively cheap and they help stiffen the fenders up, both front and rear.

I also had the problem with the fender under the front fork, but heating it up with hot air and molding it made it a nice fit :-)

tietze wrote:I also had the problem with the fender under the front fork, but heating it up with hot air and molding it made it a nice fit :-)

OK I just need to get my wife down there to talk at that fender until it gets soft.

Full coverage fenders are really the bees knees if your bike+tires can fit 'em and your rides are more wet than muddy. Planet Bike Cascadia and SKS Longboard P45s are my favorites for 700c, Longboard P50 works well for 650b fat slicks.

I use the SKS 47 fenders with Clement MSO 40mm tires.  My seat tube is a squarish design and the "clip" where the rear fender attaches didn't fit real well.  I just cut off about 6 inches of the rear fender for a better fit and it still is pretty secure with just the top mounting bracket.

Hi,

I'm wondering how the SKS Velo 55 Cross product is for 50 mm tires and fast on and off. Any experience or suggestions?

Thanks.

Too narrow. You need at least 60-65mm to get clearance on both sides of the tire. Easy to take on and off - loosen two allen bolts for the stays.

I've been using the SKS X- Tra Dry rear fender on muddy days with good results. Although designed to be used with 26" mountain bike wheels, it works quite well with 700 C wheels and gravel tires. Inexpensive, easy to install and remove, can be used on different bikes:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X61N2A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

tietze wrote:Too narrow. You need at least 60-65mm to get clearance on both sides of the tire. Easy to take on and off - loosen two allen bolts for the stays.

Thanks. Yes, the wider SKS product seem more for a suspension fork and I don't know if the rear will fit the frame. I'm also considering studs or winter tires.

bobknh wrote:I've been using the SKS X- Tra Dry rear fender on muddy days with good results. Although designed to be used with 26" mountain bike wheels, it works quite well with 700 C wheels and gravel tires. Inexpensive, easy to install and remove, can be used on different bikes:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X61N2A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We've got one of those in the family. It's even worked well enough for a fat bike. My hope is a temporary or easy off solution that's also good for the front wheel and that might have some better rear wheel coverage.

An owner of same Kona Sutra Ltd. says the large Planet Bike Cascadia fits his frame.

The Portland Design Works Sodapop showed up as maybe an alright solution.

Many years ago I had 26 inch MTB fenders from Apex design and a large diameter version of something like those would be good. So far it doesn't look like that or the company still exist right now. They were really good for what they were (are).

+ 1 for the large Planet Bike fenders, Just reinstalled them for their 2nd season on my RLT9. Am only running 35 mm tires, but provide good coverage.