Fender flaps

[p nut]

I recently installed some VO fenders and was wondering how much these fender flaps would help. With my full coverage fenders, I can’t imagine a drastic difference if I installed them. Or am I wrong?

I could see a benefit in the rear, if I were riding in front of someone. But only for those following—not for myself.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...17&category=78

[Burning Pines]

I recently installed the same flaps and noticed an immediate difference in road grime on my feet after one ride. YMMV.

[Dead Man]

yea absolutely would be beneficial to you, on the front. kind to others, on the rear

in my experience and observation riding bikes in the crap soggy weather capital of the US, ANY amount of exposed tire between the marching surface and the bottom end of your fender is going to contribute to wet feet and legs, or more. the tire pulls water up off the road and flings it off in your direction from pretty much all points of the tire from the road to the top (when it starts flinging it into the air in front of you, still hitting you, even not pointing it at you)

so the only spot on the front's circumference where coverage might not be beneficial is like one pizza slice's worth on the low forward quadrant.

[truth]

A big front flap keeps my feet dry and was noticeable.

[p nut]

Ok, thanks folks. I will install a set.

I actually have a sheet of cowhide I’ll use, so I can cut them to length.

I’m assuming I should go as low as possible. Like 1” from the ground?

[Wunder]

They matter A LOT. I have 45mm VO fenders with the black VO leather flap. Feet stay very dry but after a wet ride the flap is drenched.

[unterhausen]

I like Berthoud flaps.

I have some VO flaps and they are pretty unimpressive. Like they came from a cardboard cow.

[bigbill]

I bought rubber gasket material and cut to size. The front almost touches the pavement and the rear is about a foot off the pavement. The front one is for you and the rear is for guy in your draft. It makes a YUGE difference when riding in the rain.

[spoonrobot]

More for the BB and surrounds than the feet IME. My feet get wet from water forming a wake from the front tire and coming off the sides not from rotating off the tire itself.

This is my foot at 9 o'clock, it would get soaked any lower.


Being as I've never seen anyone else mention this ever, must be some specific hydro-dynamics that follow me around so YMMV.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by p nut

I recently installed some VO fenders and was wondering how much these fender flaps would help. With my full coverage fenders, I can’t imagine a drastic difference if I installed them. Or am I wrong?

I could see a benefit in the rear, if I were riding in front of someone. But only for those following—not for myself.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...17&category=78

Super wrong 😀

[Dead Man]

Originally Posted by spoonrobot

More for the BB and surrounds than the feet IME. My feet get wet from water forming a wake from the front tire and coming off the sides not from rotating off the tire itself.

This is my foot at 9 o'clock, it would get soaked any lower.


Being as I've never seen anyone else mention this ever, must be some specific hydro-dynamics that follow me around so YMMV.

looks like youre riding thru standing water tho ... theres a big diff between riding on rain soaked concrete and puddles - your feet are getting splashed no matter what, slicing thru puddles

nothing is gonna keep you dry when rain riding, its just about keeping you as dry as practical. fenders and how much of the front wheel they cover do make a big difference in that

[spoonrobot]

Originally Posted by Dead Man

looks like youre riding thru standing water tho ... theres a big diff between riding on rain soaked concrete and puddles - your feet are getting splashed no matter what, slicing thru puddles

nothing is gonna keep you dry when rain riding, its just about keeping you as dry as practical. fenders and how much of the front wheel they cover do make a big difference in that

It was the best way to get a photo to illustrate what was happening. There's always puddles, and if there's enough water on the road to gather and fling off the tire around it's circumference there's enough to come off the side as a wake. Fenders almost never keep my feet dry unless it's raining so lightly they'd be dry without fenders as well. A flap helps protect the BB area better but doesn't do much for my feet. Regular length VO fenders don't really need a flap for the feet.

But like I said, I have some extra special hydrodynamics following me around.

[HTupolev]

Originally Posted by p nut

I recently installed some VO fenders and was wondering how much these fender flaps would help. With my full coverage fenders, I can’t imagine a drastic difference if I installed them. Or am I wrong?

I could see a benefit in the rear, if I were riding in front of someone. But only for those following—not for myself.

Rear flap helps those behind, but doesn't do anything for the rider.

Front flap helps keep bike clean and reduces amount of gunk thrown onto feet, but won't do much to help those behind.

[gasman]

A rear flap keeps your friends happy.

[rwsaunders]

The annual posting of the fender zone chart.