Fenders protect you from sloppy, wet, or muddy terrain as you ride. Rather than having all that mud and spray fly up at you, covering your gear and, if you’re unlucky, your face, the fenders collect all the mess for you, so you arrive at your destination looking and feeling pretty clean.
We’ll break down everything, from the benefits of fenders to the different fenders you can buy and where they are most useful, and even give you some helpful tips about installing them yourself.
To decide whether you need fenders for your bicycle, consider the type of cyclist you are, your local weather conditions, and how much you can tolerate getting wet and muddy. Recreational fair weather cyclists don’t benefit from fenders, while commuters, utility cyclists, and bike tourists do. If you decide to put fenders on your bicycle, you need to choose a type that offers sufficient protection.
Pros and Cons Of Fenders
Here’s a quick list of arguments for and against fenders.
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Pros
- They protect your clothes
- They protect your bicycle components
- They protect cargo that you carry on your bike
Cons
- Choosing compatible fenders can be tricky
- Installation may be difficult
- They can deform and rub against the tire
- Not all of them keep you completely free of all water/mud
- Certain types of fenders may slow you down (although this is debatable, as shown in this article)
Knowing who should or shouldn’t have bicycle fenders really comes down to personal choice. After all, if you’re taking part in mountain biking, part of the fun for you might be the mess. It certainly makes for a more authentic experience, anyway. But if you’re commuting to work in a nice suit, then you’re going to need a bicycle fender to protect you as you ride. Let us give you some key examples below.
Which cyclists benefit most from bicycle fenders
Commuters
Commuters benefit from bicycle fenders more than most because they will ride their bike for most of the week. With that comes changeable weather day-to-day, so having bicycle fenders installed on your bicycle is a good thing to do. Most of us won’t be cycling over muddy terrain on our way to work, but if it’s raining, we appreciate the extra protection of the fenders preventing the water from spraying up at us as we ride.
Utility cyclists
Utility cyclists benefit from bicycle fenders, too. If cycling is your main mode of transport in everyday life, then the likelihood is you’re going to be cycling in some pretty poor weather, at least some of the time. Much like commuters, you’ll benefit from it even if you’re cycling in the rain.
Touring cyclists
A bicycle touring trip is really exciting, and most touring cyclists will book their trips when the weather is nice and warm. However, you can get caught out easily on trips like this. As you head to different areas, the weather can change quickly. Any touring cyclist knows that the key to a successful trip is being prepared, so bicycle fenders are a must for this group.
Which cyclists don’t need bicycle fenders
Road bikers
A road bike is designed to be fast and it looks beautiful. Not all fenders are ugly, but they definitely change how your bicycle looks and may also affect your bike’s speed.
Road bikers are familiar with wet conditions and are prepared to face weather without bicycle fenders. If you’re out training, you’re prepared to take a shower and throw your clothes in the washing machine as soon as you get home.
Mountain bikers
Mountain bikers are an elite group of cyclists, if for no other reason than their complete lack of concern about riding in the worst conditions imaginable. You can get bicycle fenders that protect you from the worst of the mud and rain that also fit your bike whilst considering your suspension, but if you’re mountain biking, then you’re probably going to get pretty muddy anyway, so you might as well leave the fenders at home.
Weekend enthusiasts
Weekend enthusiasts are a great, keen group of cyclists, but they’re also not quite as dedicated to cycling as some other groups. If you wake up on a wet and windy Sunday morning, you’re probably going to be tempted to get back into bed and wait until next weekend to ride – and that’s OK. If you are going to do this, then be honest with yourself. There’s no use wasting money on bicycle fenders you don’t really use.
Fair-weather riders
Some of us in the cycling community absolutely love to ride, but only when the weather is good. If you’re the type of cyclist who gets the most out of your bike during the summer months or whenever the weather is sunny, then you probably don’t need bicycle fenders.
Different types of fenders (and who should use them)
So, you’ve decided you need some bicycle fenders to protect you in poor weather, but you’re not sure what the different fenders are or which bike they are most suitable for?
Full fenders with rubber flops
Full fenders with rubber flops are often known by different names, but you’ll be able to identify them straight away by the rubber flops that help cover more of the bike’s tire than a regular full fender (but more on that in a bit).
These give you the most complete coverage of your bicycle, which means they provide the best protection against mud and spray below you. The only drawback? They add a lot of bulk to your bike, which may affect the speed, and it looks quite dorky on a sunny Summer day.
If you’re a commuter, utility cyclist, or touring cyclist that’s particularly averse to poor weather, then these might be best for you.
Full fenders
Full fenders are probably the best compromise to make for those who want full coverage but don’t want something quite as bulky as a full fender with rubber flops. They offer great protection to your back and torso, but water and mud may spray on your shoes.
These are perfect for commuting, utility, and touring cyclists, and you’re much more likely to find a full fender that fits your particular bike model. Just be aware that different size fenders suit different size tires and different models of bikes better than others.
When choosing full fenders, you need to match the wheel diameter and brake type (disc or rim) and pay attention to tire clearance too. Also, remember that some bikes have eyelets to mount fenders on while others don’t.
Removable fenders
Removable fenders, or clip-on fenders, depending on where you’re buying from, are the best fenders for those who ride all year round but prefer to use them as and when they are needed. Because they are removable, you can clip them on and off depending on the weather that day, and they’re all super easy to use.
One of the best manufacturers of these removable fenders is ‘Ass Savers’ – aptly named and even better to use! There’s a tendency in the cycling community to see removable or clip-on fenders as being sub-par to permanent fenders, and we get it. In the past, these removable fenders have been flimsy, poorly made, and easy to break, but not anymore. Invest in a pair of removable fenders from a brand like ‘Ass Savers’ and you won’t regret it. They are very cheap and you can pick one up on Amazon.
These are actually perfect for most road cyclists to own. No matter how you ride, some days you might feel more inclined to put on bicycle fenders than others, so a removable fender makes sense. There’s no hassle in taking them off or putting them on, so anybody can use them at any time, regardless of bike model.
DIY fenders
To some, this will sound insane, but lots of people do it and plenty of guides online show you how. We’ve seen everything, from fenders made of old buckets, strips of scrap metal, and even cardboard boxes.
These DIY fenders cost around $15, but I’ve also seen them made from used bottles for free. The major drawback of these fenders is obvious – it’s DIY, so they will not be as high quality as shop-bought fenders and won’t be as clean looking either.
These are perfect for those who want to protect themselves against mud and spray on a budget. You can custom-make a fender to fit any bike, too, so you don’t need to worry about whether you’ll be wasting money on a fender that doesn’t fit. Before attempting this though, make sure you’re comfortable knowing exactly what you’re doing, or you might damage your bike.
A helpful guide to fender installation
This guide is for installing full fenders, but if you’re unsure how to do it, seek advice from the instructions with your specific fender model first or ask someone at your local bike shop to help fit it for you. This guide is only intended to be general advice, so always consult your own instructions first.
- Start by removing your front wheel entirely.
- Remove the brake calipers from the crown and position the mounting tab of the fender between where the brake calipers and fork crown meet (if your bike has disc brakes, there’s no need to remove the brake calipers)
- Reattach your wheel and brake calipers.
- Use the nuts and bolts supplied in the fender pack to attach the fender stabilizers to the fork end eyelets.
- Adjust the length of the stabilizer to prevent it from rubbing against your tire and causing friction.
- Complete the above steps again for your rear fender.
Tips to remember as you leave
The wrong size and/or the wrong type of fender can cause frustration and headaches, from installation through trie rub to falling off.
By consulting with a bike shop first, you’ll guarantee that you get the right fender for you, and they’ll even install it for you for an extra fee if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.
Happy pedaling!
