from Rookie’s keyboard,
Hello, friends
Honestly, I experienced a slight burnout from writing so much for the site over the past few weeks. (If you are wondering why production has slowed down a bit.)
But I have prepared another piece on a topic that has annoyed me for quite some time, namely the hatred toward mudguards, a.k.a. fenders, on road bikes.
Here’s my take – full fenders are awesome and make your rides more pleasant. Their effect increases one’s desire to ride even when the conditions aren’t perfect.
I know the road bike snobs don’t like them, but I also have my opinion on the topic and it’s based on experience. Full fenders are helpful – end of story.
But to make this post complete, I will explain the driving forces behind the vitriol towards them so that you have the full picture.
Here are the reasons why roadies often omit mudguards:
- Clean Look
Appearance is a priority in the world of cycling. Dedicated/addicted cyclists invest great effort into making their bikes and gear more attractive.
It’s not uncommon for a cyclist to replace a component not because it’s malfunctioning but because it’s the wrong color. (I’m dead serious here.)
The truth is that many deem mudguards/fenders non-aesthetically pleasing.
If mudguards were considered hot/attractive, you would be seeing them on many bikes even if they had no function.
Тhe major non-aesthetic characteristics of mudguards is that they hide the wheels and thus make the bike look “nerdier” rather than “racier”.
Also, mudguards have mounting hardware which could also be considered unattractive.
- Pretending To Be a Pro
The fashion trends among recreational cyclists are extracted from the professional scene.
The pros do not use full mudguards because they’re banned by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale).
The motives for the prohibition are:
- Fenders or their mounting elements can cause a crash.
- During a crash, the fenders or the accompanying hardware may directly hurt a rider.
However, there are also technical reasons why pros stay away from fenders:
- Extra weight (a set of full mudguards can be over 1kg)
- Drag (fenders hurt the aerodynamic properties of the bike)
- More complicated and slower wheel changes (full mudguards make it more difficult to replace a wheel)
Ironically, despite the downsides, many professionals still use high-end fenders during training because the usefulness of the accessory is quite high.
- Zero Clearance
Many road bikes have limited tire clearance due to the use of caliper brakes and an overly aggressive geometry.
Installing a set of full fenders on a road bike is always frustrating. When you add the fact that many companies add unique details to their frames further complicating the installation, the frustration amplifies.
Pro mechanics are happy that they don’t have to deal with fenders on professional bikes. After all, the job of a mechanic is already hard enough.
That said, road bikes with disc brakes have a lot of clearance allowing not only the use of wider tires but also the installation of wider and longer fenders.
- Simplified Frame Production
A mudguard-ready frame has to offer clearance and mounting points for the fenders. These requirements may seem small, but they make a difference when scaling up.
Fenders require additional braze-on add-ons or threads. If you’re building a few frames, the extra work is not substantial. But when you’re mass-producing one step becomes a million steps.
Also, the designers have to engineer the frame around fenders too. This requirement reduces freedom while simultaneously adding one more responsibility.
In other words, it’s easier for the entire team to ignore fenders. If the targeted market is anti-fenders anyway, this approach is a win-win.
Full Fenders > Clips
The purpose of fenders is to protect you and the bike from the mud, dirt and water picked and thrown by the tires.
Partial fenders provide partial coverage.
For example, the popular rear fenders that attach to the seat post protect the saddle and the hips but do nothing for the drivetrain and the frame.
You don’t need a PhD to realizre that the larger the fender is, the more coverage it has.
Full fenders are the most effective but could be a nightmare to install on a road bike with limited clearance.
Hence companies like SKS come up with alternative mounting methods designed specifically for road bikes.
Fenders are also helpful even in dry weather because they protect the drivetrain from dust and reduce the need to lubricate the chain as frequently.
Safety
If the fenders are installed securely and do not touch the tire, they’re reasonably safe.
However, full fenders increase the chances of getting an object stuck in the wheel. If a stick gets jammed in the wheel, for example, an accident may occur. For that reason, SKS’s front fenders have a quick-release mechanism meant to reduce the chances of that outcome.
This scenario is a lot more likely to take place when going off-road. A road bike used as one is unlikely to pick sticks from the ground due to their absence on paved roads.
Drag
Fenders add weight to the bike and increase drag.
But the discomfort of having tire spray all over your body, including your face, will hurt your pedaling output a lot more.
The more comfortable you are, the easier it is to pedal harder.
I will never forget the day when a storm caught me on my hardtail. The rear tire was throwing dirty water straight into my pants.
I immediately started looking for a set of full fenders.
And by the way, there are cycling clubs that require members to have fenders on their bikes when riding in a group so that the rest of the participants do not get dirty. Those without fenders are sent to the back of the group.
Until next time,
Rookie
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