The Fenders

This post is just on the fender issue. I went and got a front fender from Topeak. It is not to bad other then the way it is designed. It works well for the style of bike that I have and the fact that I have front suspension. So a fender that would wrap all the way down and protect my feet from over spray would not work. I can tell you that the next one will go down further. This is the only problem that I have with this fender. Don't misunderstand me, I like it and it does very well. It would work great if I was out in the hills and mud was the big issue. But being that I am commuting the back of the fender comes down just far enough to create this wall of water that just soaks my toes.

The bike that I ride is a hard tail. So fitting a wrap around fender to it was an idea that I got after coming to work a few times and having to change everything I was wearing. So first things first. Go find a fender that you believe will work. For most of us that are using mountain bikes, beach cruiser fenders are the best because they are long and wide enough. After you get the fender smile and think to your self you are crazy for trying this. I did. Also look at your bike and figure out how you can secure the fender to your bike. I was lucky. Not only did my frame have to predrilled hole for 1/4 20 bolts, it also have two bolts on the seat stays. I figure they are for some kind of a rack. I also scored a couple pieces of galvanized steel. These pieces will become my support for the fender. With the back tire out I eye balled the base of the fender and were I would need to trim out some to get it to fit between the chain stays. Some tin snips worked very well for this. Next I placed the fender up in the frame and took a look at it. Found were I was going to cut the fender in half. The tin snips again do very well for this. Take the back half of the fender and put it in the frame, and bolt it up. I then took my grinder out and looked over at the support bars. After trimming away the fat on them I drilled a hole for it to secure to the bike and then lined it up and drilled through the bar and the fender at the same time. Now take that other half of your fender and lay it over the top of the piece that is bolted into the frame. From the bottom mark the were you have to drill the new holes. The reason that I did this is because I had no way to supporting the fender on the back side of the tire. I then took the two half's and laid the loose piece on the fixed piece and took that support bars and bolted it all together. It works, and work pretty damn good. It still needs a little more strength. I am thinking about some very thin like 18g material that is maybe 1/2" wide and using it to create a spine to give the fender a little more muscle. I will get some pics up soon.