Wow, do I need some fenders

[PotomacCyclist]

@jrenaut 4828 wrote:

It looks like Giant makes fenders for the Defy. Note to Giant – how about a prominent link from the bike info page to the bike accessory page?

I guess the next question is, what should I be doing to clean the bike after riding in the rain?

I like to lube and clean the chain and derailleurs soon after riding in the rain. With a separate cloth, I’ll wipe down the braking surfaces/tire rims (but without any lube!) to get grit and dirt off of them. There tends to be a lot more junk on the rims after riding in the rain.

[CCrew]

@jrenaut 4864 wrote:

Yeah, there are little holes in the front and back that look like they might be for fenders. You’re right, unlikely that Giant would sell fenders for a bike that don’t fit on it.

I live in Columbia Heights and work at L’Enfant Plaza. I’m mobile, though, especially when people are doing me a favor.

I’m right off the Orange line at Mcpherson Sq, no reason we can’t meet up. I usually get out earlier in the afternoon anyway. I’ll grab them from the garage and bring them to work and I’ll pm you and we can arrange a meet. Already in work today though..

[jrenaut]

Great, McPherson SQ is no problem for me. And no rush.

[CCrew]

jrenaut, pleasure meeting you. Get it all home without issue?

[jrenaut]

No problem getting it home. Hoping to try to put them on tonight, but next week is more realistic. Thanks again.

[jrenaut]

I gave up on installing the fenders myself. It may be that I’m missing a piece, or maybe I’m just destined to pay bike shops to do things for me. I got the rear fender most of the way on, but couldn’t get the last 1/3 or so. The Bike Rack charges very little to install fenders, so I’m going to take it in this week.

[Arlingtonrider]

With another rainy day in the forecast, I have some newbie-type questions about fenders that I hope someone(s) might be able to help me with:

(1) If two fenders can’t be installed because of a low back platform, is it useful at all to install just a front fender? Does anyone else do this?

(2) What is (are) the downside of fenders?

(3) Does anyone else with the same problem have a jerry rig solution for the back (duct tape, plastic, cardboard?) that might help prevent the Jackson Pollack look on wet days? (other than wearing a backpack, which at least puts some of the art on a different canvas)

Thanks!

[dbb]

I wouldn’t think just front fenders would change much. I don’t have a front fender and haven’t seen much problem with water getting thrown up on me.

My back fender is one of those seat post mount Planet Bike (from REI or Performance) and seems to have a wide range of adjustment. I have it just about horizontal so it might fit under a rack. Might be a good alternative to the arts and crafts approach Arlingtonrider proposes.

[Arlingtonrider]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]425[/ATTACH]

Thanks for the post. I’ll take a look at the Planet Bike seatpost mounted fender you suggest and also at the SKS Pete mentioned. I’m not sure if the photo I tried to attach will make it into this message, but it might illustrate the problem better than I can explain it.

[Arlingtonrider]

I hope the photo above is helpful in explaining the problem I’m having. Maybe this is an unusual way for a rack to be mounted.

[dbb]

The PB fender might work if the silver bracket in the front of your rack is split. As an alternative, a couple of bolts/nuts might allow mounting the PB fender directly to the bottom of the rack with no use of the seatpost bracket that comes with the fender. A bit less arts/crafts than the cardboard and duct tape solution. Will the bike be at the Thursday happy hour?

[5555624]

@Arlingtonrider 9284 wrote:

I hope the photo above is helpful in explaining the problem I’m having. Maybe this is an unusual way for a rack to be mounted.

It looks exactly like how my rack is installed. (If I remember, I’ll take a picture tonight.) I don’t have a rear fender. My rack (Jandd) is solid on top and I’ve never needed a rear fender.

My front fender is mounted on the down tube.

[paulg]

Looks to me like the rack should be mounted a little higher and a little further back. The bed of the rack should be approximately level. Doing that would raise it up and allow room for a regular fender to mount underneath the rack bed.

This bike has the rack level and high to allow the fender to mount underneath.

http://www.rei.com/product/808786/novara-transfer-bike-2012

Is there any way to adjust the rack upwards?

If it can’t be adjusted a new rack might be worth it to get the fender underneath and to get the rack level.

Failing that the clip on rear fender would work. Something like this (there are others):

http://www.rei.com/product/647147/sks-xtra-dry-rear-seatpost-fender

As for a downside of fenders they are minimal when compared to staying dry but mine are: They add weight, They make the bike difficult to put in the back of the car when you take the front wheel off……. and that’s about it. Like I say minimal downsides.

Good luck.

[jrenaut]

I sure wish my fenders were installed on my bike this morning instead of on their way to the bike shop from the distributor.

[Arlingtonrider]

Actually, the rack is perfectly level – it’s just the photographer who is a little twisted. .

The rack has about a three inch wide strip of metal along the top but is open at the sides. It could easily be crafted into a solid platform on rainy days. I might give that a try, and also see if I can get one of the removable seat post options placed above the rack and if that helps.

It sounds like there are differing views as to the helpfulness of front fenders. I like the fact that there are easily removable ones. Thoughts?

[Author]

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