Bike Fenders Review

Fenders divide the cycling community. Some people swear by them and won’t ride anywhere without them. Others snigger at bikes with fenders as not “hardcore” enough. Whatever your opinion, there might be a time and a place for a fender to surround your bike tires, tubes, and wheels.

Mountain bike fenders are somewhat rare, unless you ride a lot in the rain. This is where the most derision is heaped on them, as many view getting dirty as part of the experience when out on the trails. They do have a use on mountain bikes though, especially those with rear suspension.

If your bike has the frame shock behind the seat post like a Specialized Enduro, a fender might do you some good. Placing a Crud Catcher or another make of short fender in front of the shock will save you time when it comes to cleaning it. If you have one of these you’ll know it collects all the mud thrown up by the rear wheel when riding, so here maybe an SKS fender is a good idea.

You can’t really fit full fenders on a mountain bike because the movement of the wheel, suspension and the type of terrain the average mountain biker traverses would shake them off in minutes. Many bikes are also manufactured without the eyes to attach the fenders to as those who don’t use them have an exposure where dirt and water can enter the frame.  Wald fenders are a good company to consider when buying fenders. 

Road bike fenders are more common. The frame design, fairly even terrain and lack of suspension lends itself well to either half or full length fenders. Standing water is also more of a problem on roads than it is on trails. A decent fender can save a rider a soaking wet backside for the sake of a few dollars. Well worth it in my book. THE fenders come in many varieties.

Look around any town or city and you’ll see many commuter bikes with full fenders, and maybe even full fenders with mud flaps on the end. These are the sensible riders who want to arrive at work with only damp shoes, rather than being wet through. For those who ride longer, full fenders not only stops the water from splashing onto your face, but prevents you getting so cold and wet. A comfortable rider is the one that’s going to enjoy the ride. The wet rider is going to want to get home as quickly as possible.

To fender or not to fender, that is the question. It all comes down to taste and judgment. If you commute on a bike, or do a lot of roadwork then they are a good idea. If you have a rear shock behind the seat post they are a good idea there too. It comes down to whether you prefer form over function so if looking at let's say a marzocchi fender, you want to evaluate what purpose you will want your fender to serve. They don’t look great but they do serve a purpose.

Models

Some popular bike fender include the Planet Bike fender and the SKS fender.

Pricing

Mountain bike fenders are relatively cheap, starting at around $5 for a clip-on half fender. A full fender set can cost you anything up to $100, but a decent set can be had for around $25.