Another Fender Thread

[pncguy]

I'm getting ready to set up my bike for the Icy Bike Challenge (REMOVED LINK. YOU CAN GOOGLE IT). I plan on commuting 30 mile round trip twice a week and I'll be putting full fenders on my bike next week and taking them off at the end of March. I have eyelets and will be removing the brakes to mount the fenders. I've searched the forum for more info, but haven't found comparisons of these three sets of fenders.

Anyone have any opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of these?
PDW Full: https://ridepdw.com/collections/fenders/products/full-metal-fenders?variant=24745837249
PDW Poncho: https://ridepdw.com/collections/fenders/products/poncho-fenders-city?variant=24745574593
Planet Bike Cascadia ALX: https://www.planetbike.com/store/products/bike-accessories/bike-fenders/cascadia-alx-bike-fenders-700c-x-43mm.html
VO: https://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/fenders/700c.html

[drewellison]

I can't comment on all of those and I'm sure they are all good quality.

I just ordered some of the 700c 52mm wide black Zeppelins from VO (should have them installed by next week). Why these? They are pretty darn wide (as wide as I think I will ever want?) and they should fit nicely on my BMC MonsterCross (confirmed by Mike Varley). I like the style, I like the double attachments on the stays, and I like that they don't have the goofy looking short plastic attachment on the rear, which IMHO, doesn't add a lot. It should be easy to add any kind of flap I want on the Zeppelins. And I can cover up the VO logo with a Cinelli sticker and make 'em eye-tallian. :hello:

[ripvanrando]

I have a set of the VO. I like them. Directions to install are poor.

Honjo from Japan are great.

The popular plastic fenders seem to last a year or two before they fatigue and break.

[pncguy]

The popular plastic fenders seem to last a year or two before they fatigue and break.

This is what I was thinking, and it is good to know. Three of what I'm looking at are all metal.

[marciero]

Strat or Tele? Oh.. sorry, wrong forum..

[ripvanrando]

This is what I was thinking, and it is good to know. Three of what I'm looking at are all metal.

Might have been because I ride in the cold but I've broken two plastic fenders and they were not installed wrong (stressed) but I also used to ride a lot of miles. I'm happy with the VO especially at the price. Berthoud and Honjo are super nice but a PITA to take off and are very expensive. For me.....VO works. I have the "hammered" black aluminum ones. They are silent (use leather washers.....VO sells them but might come with them)

In reality, all of the ones you linked have good reputations.

[Bob Ross]

The popular plastic fenders seem to last a year or two before they fatigue and break.

?!?!
I've had a set of SKS plastic full coverage fenders on my Bridgestone since 2007, and I put 2-3,000 miles a year on that bike. Hell, I wish they would fatigue and break so that I could justify buying new fenders and having someone else besides me install them, someone who has an eye for graceful curves and the patience to tweak them to aesthetic perfection.

But I'd probably still get the SKS again, they've been bombproof for me.

Perhaps these are not the "popular" plastic fenders of which you speak?

[Ronsonic]

Strat or Tele? Oh.. sorry, wrong forum..

Baritone Tele and a Partscaster Strat. Yeah, I know, first thing I thought of too.

[PepeM]

I haven't tried the others, so I have no clue what is 'best,' but I have PDW fenders and I think they are of great quality and also look really good. Very easy to install too.

EDIT: I have the metal ones, not the plastic ones. I've had plastic fenders before (SKS I think) and they're much worse imo.

[teleguy57]

:beer:Strat or Tele? Oh.. sorry, wrong forum..

[bironi]

I'm getting ready to set up my bike for the Icy Bike Challenge (https://vimeo.com/53102631). I plan on commuting 30 mile round trip twice a week and I'll be putting full fenders on my bike next week and taking them off at the end of March. I have eyelets and will be removing the brakes to mount the fenders. I've searched the forum for more info, but haven't found comparisons of these three sets of fenders.

Anyone have any opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of these?
PDW Full: https://ridepdw.com/collections/fenders/products/full-metal-fenders?variant=24745837249
PDW Poncho: https://ridepdw.com/collections/fenders/products/poncho-fenders-city?variant=24745574593
Planet Bike Cascadia ALX: https://www.planetbike.com/store/products/bike-accessories/bike-fenders/cascadia-alx-bike-fenders-700c-x-43mm.html
VO: https://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/fenders/700c.html

I have the PDW full metal fenders on two bikes. Can you post a picture of the intended bike for the fenders. Mine have worked on a couple Italian steel race bikes from the 70's and 90's. I have had to make some modification to get better tire clearance at the rear brake. If you post some pics, I'll reciprocate.

[ripvanrando]

?!?!
I've had a set of SKS plastic full coverage fenders on my Bridgestone since 2007, and I put 2-3,000 miles a year on that bike. Hell, I wish they would fatigue and break so that I could justify buying new fenders and having someone else besides me install them, someone who has an eye for graceful curves and the patience to tweak them to aesthetic perfection.

But I'd probably still get the SKS again, they've been bombproof for me.

Perhaps these are not the "popular" plastic fenders of which you speak?

No, they were SKS.

You can Google.

They break.

Both of mine broke up front.

[BobbyJones]

Can't comment on your specific selections, but here's another 2 cents:

Planet bike has excellent customer service. If they break I'm sure they'd take care of you asap. And they're fairly inexpensive.

Been running SKS plastic fenders on both a commuter and a brompton. The commuters haven't broken and see a lot of dirt and gravel. The brompton rear tip has, but only from jamming it up while folding. Neither bike sees much below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so I can't comment on the cold factor

Lastly, In wet snow I've had jam ups, so you may want to keep an eye on that.

[chiasticon]

have had good luck with the VO hammered ones and the PDW fulls (even cobbled to work on a bike not designed for them). my Cascadia experience was good overall but the brake bridge clip broke within a few weeks and I had to modify it with a sturdier SKS one. then it was solid.

I agree that it would be good to see what bike you intend to use as well.

[pncguy]

I have had to make some modification to get better tire clearance at the rear brake. If you post some pics, I'll reciprocate.

I've examined my frame carefully and it will definitely be the brakes the are the limiting factor. Right now I have about 11 mm between the tire and the calipers. They're Shimano BR650 midreach brakes. Bad picture below.

I've actually ordered both PDW and Planet Bike aluminum fenders and will see how they fit. I will post better pictures!

[54ny77]

http://www.musiclipse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Jimi-Hendrix-fender-guitar.jpg

[bironi]

The rubber cork spacer was added to prevent chatter of the fender against what would normally be be the bottom fender attachment point. I have posted a picture of my added mud flap on the rear for paceline purposes. The pic of the red De Rosa is showing the bike with 28's, but with the fenders installed I can only fit 23's. The teal bike has 27's. The other images speak for themselves. Happy to answer any questions.
Byron

https://i.imgur.com/9ZXmHrE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PWt1ZCD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/scNJKav.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/H5zRK77.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KVbu26x.jpg