Fenders for the winter bike

[pulser955]

I think I want to get some fenders for my winter bike. We have gotten some snow this year and its stayed cold so its not going away. The roads get warm enough for the snow on the sides to start to melt and water runs over the road. They don't spread salt here but they do spry mag chloride and I'm getting really sick of cleaning it up. My winter bike is also a carbon race bike so no mounts. I am looking at 2 options the SKS race-blade or the CRUD road racer 2. I am kind of thinking I like the road racer 2s more. Any of you guys have any experience with them?

CRUD RoadRacer 2 Fender Set Black in Tree Fort Bikes Fenders (cat143)

Accessories at Tree Fort Bikes

[JoelS]

What you should get are the new SKS RaceBlade LONG fenders. They have much better coverage than the regular raceblade and have clips so that you can remove them easily. They attach at the wheel skewer and clips get installed at the brake bridge. My wife has a set and they work quite well.

[AndrwSwitch]

I don't know the Crud fenders, but I have SKS race blades. They work pretty well, although putting buddy flaps on them made them swing around some - they're really not designed for that extra chunk of whatever it is. For a full-time install, I think I'd be leaning toward the Crud fenders too.

[pulser955]

What you should get are the new SKS RaceBlade LONG fenders. They have much better coverage than the regular raceblade and have clips so that you can remove them easily. They attach at the wheel skewer and clips get installed at the brake bridge. My wife has a set and they work quite well.

There a possablity. I just really don't like the mount at the wheels with them. I don't want to have to mess with it on the side of the road if I get a flat.

[MrMook]

Cruds or Raceblade Longs. The regular Raceblades will keep your back dry, but your bottom bracket junction will still fill up with crud.

[JoelS]

There a possablity. I just really don't like the mount at the wheels with them. I don't want to have to mess with it on the side of the road if I get a flat.

It's not a big deal. They unclip at the skewer too. Real easy to remove and replace.

[looigi]

I had the Cruds on two bikes and now a set of Raceblade Longs. The Cruds are OK but very flimsy and fragile...and a pain to install and keep from rubbing. The Raceblade Longs are much better and I would definitely recommend them over the Cruds. Once you have the brackets installed, they're very easy to put on and take off.

[dcgriz]

I have the Crud and really like them. I liked them so much I bought one more pair for a second bike. The fit over 25mm tires and thin 28mm tires like the Conti GP 4 season. Smart product.

[pulser955]

Thanx guys It looks like my local REI has the raceblade longs in stock so I can go check them out. I just wish I could see the Cruds in person too. I like how they extend down to the BB and protects the FD. I did find a video showing how to instal them and they do look flimsy.

[velodog]

I haven't tried these but they look pretty solid.

Full Metal Fenders

[Fogdweller]

I'm done with Cruds. Two years in a row I've pulled up a small stick with the rear wheel and they've shattered at the join just under the rear break. Great when they work but way too flimsy and at $40 a pop, they shouldn't be disposable. Now I have two fully functional front fenders from them...

I switched the the above mentioned SKS Raceblade Longs and love them. They install pretty easily and give great coverage. Changing a flat is a little more trouble since you have to remove your skewer but they are great fenders, don't move around and install in about 40 minutes a set. For a removable fender, they're tops.

[pulser955]

I got a look at the long raceblades and I don't think they will fit my bike. There is maybe 4mm of clearance in the rear between the tire and the frame. I may have to get the regular raceblades. Kind of sux I would like to have the coverage that the Cruds have but after looking at allot of reviews online I'm not convinced they will fit my bike.

[looigi]

I got a look at the long raceblades and I don't think they will fit my bike. There is maybe 4mm of clearance in the rear between the tire and the frame. I may have to get the regular raceblades. Kind of sux I would like to have the coverage that the Cruds have but after looking at allot of reviews online I'm not convinced they will fit my bike.

It's certainly possible they won't fit, but Raceblade Long fender sections don't go between the tire and frame, or the tire and brake calipers. The only thing that does are tabs that mount under the caliper mounting bolt and extend forward and back beyond the caliper or frame. The fender sections clip onto these stopping short of the caliper and frame. The tabs are 1.5mm thick where they pass between the tire and caliper. They also include several different lengths should there be clearance issues. Here's picture that illustrates that.

The SKS RaceBlade Long Uses Small Brackets That Stay On The Bike But The Main Sections Of The Fender Are Easily Removed. Photos | Cyclingnews.com

[Unica]

I've just switched from the Crud's (after using them all last winter and from October to now) to the SKS Long's.

There is no two ways about it - the SKS is a far better mudguard. I use a race frame (albeit steel) as my winter bike and with the clips there's not a problem at all with clearance under the rear brake as it sits directly under the brake caliper.

The Crud's, whilst providing good coverage at the front, channelled all of the crap from the real wheel to the BB/chainstay junction. The SKS don't do this, but as the rear doesn't extend all of the way down the seat tube the are splashes onto the seat tube but you don't feel anything. The rear also provides really good coverage for those following you.

I think I've got a pic of the Cruds fitted and can take ones of the SKS's if you want to see what the look like.

Bottom line is I'll be going with the SKS again.

[Eric_H]

The REAL solution is to get a dedicated winter bike with enough clearance to use full fenders but since we are talking about solutions for bikes without clearance I'll throw in a plug for the Planet Bike SpeedEz. While not perfect, they are fairly durable and sturdy enough to add flaps front and rear. I used them for a while before reverting to a dedicated winter bike with extra clearance and full fenders.

Two tips with the SpeedEz. 1) Wrap the seatstays and fork blades with electrical tape where the fender mounts will sit. Otherwise from road grit and vibration the mounts will damage paint/clear coat. 2) The top of the fenders may rotate forward when hitting big bumps and bang into the rear brake or the fork crown. Try to position as low as possible to avoid this and if needed the top of the fenders can be trimmed.

Again, not the greatest fender solution but IMO better than the Cruds and probably on par with the SKS RB Longs though I have no experience with the SKS. One of my friends uses the Cruds and he is OK with them but has had pieces fall off. I know I would not be OK with them.

[vautrain]

I've heard a lot of stories of the Cruds breaking. The SKS Raceblades are fine for occasional use, but for regular winter riding in bad conditions, I agree with Eric H, get a beater bike that can handle real fenders.

[nhluhr]

They don't spread salt here but they do spry mag chloride

That's salt.

[nhluhr]

I haven't tried these but they look pretty solid.

Full Metal Fenders

Guy on my team has them. They have very little clearance and rub constantly with his Specialized Turbo style tires. Not to mention they weigh a metric ton.

[looigi]

Raceblade Long/Cruds note: The RBLs have a ~6" stub forward of the seat stays that stops short of the seat tube. This allows for some spewage on the FD and chain. This is really the only significant shortcoming on function and coverage of RBLs compared to full fenders IMO. Cruds have an extention on the rear fender that goes all the way down to the chainstays and includes a shield on the right side for drivetrain. Since I have a set of defunct Cruds (broken, cracked, missing parts), I replaced the RBL stub with the Crud extension attaching it to the RBL bracket via the existing holes using a plastic Crud screw and thumbnut and a Crud zip tie to attach it to the seat tube. This results in over 180 degrees of rear wheel coverage, as you would get with full fenders.

[pulser955]

Raceblade Long/Cruds note: The RBLs have a ~6" stub forward of the seat stays that stops short of the seat tube. This allows for some spewage on the FD and chain. This is really the only significant shortcoming on function and coverage of RBLs compared to full fenders IMO. Cruds have an extention on the rear fender that goes all the way down to the chainstays and includes a shield on the right side for drivetrain. Since I have a set of defunct Cruds (broken, cracked, missing parts), I replaced the RBL stub with the Crud extension attaching it to the RBL bracket via the existing holes using a plastic Crud screw and thumbnut and a Crud zip tie to attach it to the seat tube. This results in over 180 degrees of rear wheel coverage, as you would get with full fenders.

I was thinking about buying both and dong just that. I could just leave the part of the Crud fender in place and then remove the Raceblades when I don't need them. I am still trying to find a shop locally or down in Boulder that has the cruds so I can check them out.

[velodog]

Guy on my team has them. They have very little clearance and rub constantly with his Specialized Turbo style tires. Not to mention they weigh a metric ton.

This is good to know because they were on my list, but not anymore. I could deal with the heavy, but want nothing to do with the rubbing.

[yoshirama]

I have a set of cruds and yes those are flimsy but keep in mind those are only 180g. I would think of them more like a wet weather race day fenders.

[looigi]

I have a set of cruds and yes those are flimsy but keep in mind those are only 180g. I would think of them more like a wet weather race day fenders.

Also quite narrow, so considerably more aero than fenders like RBLs which catch quite a bit air. However, it's pretty unusual/rare to use fenders during a race, no?

[AndrwSwitch]

Are fenders even legal in a race? I don't think I've ever seen them used, and they seem like they'd fall under the rule about not using things that aren't structural parts of the bike.