Help with fender selection

[Karthick Gururaj]

Hello,

I'm tired of removing the muck each time there is a slight drizzle.. -
from the cycle, my backpack and myself. Also, I commute on roads that
has water logging with moderate rain. The two wheelers who follow must
be cursing me :) Before the monsoon really sets in, want to get a pair
of decent fenders installed.

I ride a Schwinn Sporterra or occasionally Trek 7.1 (both hybrids,
both on stock tires 700x35). Planning to get the fenders done on the
Schwinn.

I like this one: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sks-longboard-mudguard-set/
or this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sks-bluemels-trekking-53mm-black-mudguards/

Some questions:
a. Should I buy fenders that are wider than the tyre, so that it will
not touch the tyre? There are two options listed for the fender above
(first link), 700x35 and 700x45. Should I be looking at 700x45 option?
Would the fender in second link be too wide?
b. I assume even if the wheel is not perfectly trued (but ridable), it
is still ok to go with full length fenders
c. How do I ensure that the fenders will fit my cycle before ordering?
Should I look out for anything specific? How will brake calipers fit?
d. Can I get full length fenders in any bike shop locally? This is the
first time I'll be ordering from wiggle and I do not know what will be
the delivery time. Also, there is an added uncertainty of the fenders
not fitting the cycle. And customs..

Thanks.

- Karthick

[Sreepathi Pai]

On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 6:10 PM, Karthick Gururaj
<karthick...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Some questions:
> a. Should I buy fenders that are wider than the tyre, so that it will
> not touch the tyre? There are two options listed for the fender above
> (first link), 700x35 and 700x45. Should I be looking at 700x45 option?

The Longboards are better than the Bluemels in my opinion, the front
is longer, so your crankset is cleaner.

700x45 is what you want. If you're running 700x35, the 35 mm width
will be too small.

> c. How do I ensure that the fenders will fit my cycle before ordering?
> Should I look out for anything specific? How will brake calipers fit?

http://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/does-my-bike-take-fenders/

This video from the people who got SKS to make the longboards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG_WZVS9SUY

Some parts of this article are specific to metal fenders, but the part
about clearances should help.

When applied, the distance between the calipers of your brakes should
be more than 45mm (I'm assuming V-brakes?)

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Sreepathi Pai

[Karthick Gururaj]

Thanks Sreepathi! The wordpress article is helpful, will check the
video as well. I need to go back to check the points mentioned in the
WP article.

And yes, they are V-brakes.
- Karthick

[Shankar Shastry]

Nail on the head by Sree. Watch that video before you install, btw. That video is the best guide you will ever need. I have regular sks chromoplastic fenders on my cutter and longboards on the surly. I can tell you for a fact that longboards are really the best fenders out there. Also, as a general rule, tire+10mm is the width of fender you'd want.

Ps : If you do not have the tools like bolt cutter etc, you can come and install it in my garage :D

[Karthick Gururaj]

Hey, thanks for that offer - might hold you to it ;) I am waiting to
get my wheel back from Pedals 'n Wheels - will check the clearances
after that.
- Karthick

[Karthick Gururaj]

Sreepathi, Shankar,

The video was awesome! It felt nice to see the attention to detail..

But I have chickened out from buying SKS.I found an other thread: http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11396 on fenders for sportterra and decided to try that instead.

- Karthick

[Shankar Shastry]

Too bad you chose to chicken out... SKS is worth the money - every single paisa of it :D Good luck with the installation :)