Fenders for a 27.5x2.1 Wolverine

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Matt M

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Dec 6, 2016, 2:57:25 PM12/6/16

to 650b

Hi folks,

I'm in the middle of building a Soma Wolverine. I had one previously, but it was stolen. Not a huge deal thanks to renter's insurance. This time around I'm doing a 650b model for a few reasons:

-It shortens the wheelbase a lot on the sliding dropouts

-I won't have to deal with toe overlap

It's my off-road touring bike so I like to fit as big of tires as possible. Previously it was 29x2.1, but this time around it will be 27.5x2.1. Ideally I would like to have fenders that are somewhat easy to install and remove (<15 minutes) and that could fit over such large tires. Here is what Soma says about the Wolverine:

"Clearance for 700x45c tires w/ fenders"

Since I'm a 27.5/650b newbie, my questions are:

1. What size fenders for 650b are comparable to 700x45 radius?

2. Will such fenders work/fit with the Wolverine? I would say clearance is a higher priority than full side-to-side coverage, but only by a hair.

3. If so, what would be some recommended models given the criteria above?

I'm totally okay with clip-on fenders if they work decently. And for the record, I like tires like the WTB Nano or Vittoria Mezcal, which have small knobbies but are designed for pavement as well as offroad.

Thanks, and I hope using the 27.5 terminology isn't a taboo or anything!

Justin Hughes

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Dec 6, 2016, 3:43:08 PM12/6/16

to 650b

I would use 700c fenders. I ran 700x52mm Velo Orange fenders on a Wolverine with 27.5x2.1. Diameter was right and afforded proper clearance. You will need to come down some from the fork crown, probably more than a stock daruma will afford. I do not endorse plastic or clip on fenders as from MTBs so I can't recommend anything specifically. That said, I am planning on a build around the same tire size and I will go with Velo Orange 700x63 fenders. Honjo H95s would be nice if you find them in stock and can swallow the price tag.

FYI, you can widen 700c fenders by hand and in doing so the effective diameter arch is reduced.

45-622 radius is 360mm. 54-584 radius is 350mm. 64-584 (27.5x2.5) radius is 360mm.