Gilles Berthoud stainless steel vs SKS Chromoplastic fenders

[SMP]

I was hoping to find a previous thread on this topic, but I cannot seem to find it here.

I currently have Honjo hammered fenders on my custom riv, but the front fender is so long and the aluminum is so fragile that it doesn't allow me to hop up and down curbs without having the whole thing get bent out of shape.

I was hoping to move onto something more durable, and am contemplating between SKS Chromoplastic (26" P55) and Gilles Berthoud fenders (26" 50mm).  I am thinking the former would be a good option to improve the practicality, tone down the "showyness," and reduce the chance of theft (although I live in one of the safest cities in the world -- Zurich, not sure if this should be a legitimate concern); however, the latter just seems to be a nice and durable option for a 'high end' bike.

Also, I am not very mechanically inclined, so that is also another consideration.  I would have an LBS install this, but if something happens in the middle of nowhere, I would think the SKS would be easier to pop into place.

Your thoughts?

[Kieran J]

I have a set of the Berthoud 40mm fenders, and they are GREAT. Super solid, look great, about the same price as SKS or thereabouts.

My $0.02.

KJ

[William]

All the metal ones are pretty darn long.  SKS non-longboards might be your best bet to have the curb-hoppability you miss and the safety of a QR, and your LBS will more likely be familiar with their installation.  

[Christopher Chen]

I have the longboards on my Hilsen, with sheldon fender nuts, which rotate the fenders to make them even lower, and I have to say, the rubber flap might bend, but I go up and down curbs all the time. One tip--I lift up a bit on the handlebar before descending the curb, essentially "jumping" down, which gives the bike a chance to make some forward movement before falling.

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[Michael Hechmer]

I'm a little perplexed by your post.  Is your fender hitting the curb?  My experience is that properly installed Al fenders are more stable than plastic.  That said steel fenders are more stable than Al.

Michael

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013 4:55:38 PM UTC-4, SMP wrote:

[Christopher Chen]

If you roll right off of a high enough curb, you stand the risk of the fenders striking the top of the curb as you descend, especially at *low* speeds. I've had it happen. The trick is to get out in front of the curb enough to avoid whacking the fender. So either you speed up a bit, or you "jump" off.

(for me anyway)

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[William]

I agree with Christopher.  The other thing I found with a long front fender is I can't put the bike on my Yakima Roof Rack.  With the front wheel off the fender hits the car-roof before the fork tips reach.  So with my longboard bike, I just don't plan on putting it on the roof.  For my Honjo bike, I redrilled holes with the fender rotated far enough forward that it clears, and I'll take up the extra space with a home-made flap to save my feet from spray

[LBleriot]

I have Berhouds on my Bleriot, and can say that they look sharp and are very durable. They are, however, a bear to fit and adjust. I have SKS fenders on my San Marcos. I find them them to be lighter and a doddle to fit. They are not as rigid, of course, and tend vibrate a bit. Both sets provide good coverage. Berthouds are an investment both in time to fit and cost.

[John Lee]

A slightly different use case... one thing that's kept me away from aluminum and even stainless steel fenders is my need to move my bike(s) up and down elevators every day. Ahhh. City living. Not all elevators are sized for convenient bike transport, so fenders sometimes get banged around and squished.

Plastic fenders spring back, but what would happen to metal fenders?

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013 4:55:38 PM UTC-4, SMP wrote:

[Jonathan Shinefeld]

I run bikes with both. Both are flapped. Berthouds are sturdier, longer and offer better coverage in the wet but no QR. SKS are cheaper, work fine, have quick releases. If they do catch on something. I can't imagine Berthoud stays coming loose without much trauma. (See recent Blug post). I think the key to durability is is mounting fenders sans tension. A nice single malt helps.
Jon in Phily

[Benz, Sunnyvale, CA]

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013 5:19:44 PM UTC-7, William wrote:

[...] I redrilled holes with the fender rotated far enough forward that it clears, and I'll take up the extra space with a home-made flap to save my feet from spray

This trick will also mitigate the fender hitting the curb even if you ride down the curb slowly. 

Home-made flap made from polyurethane-coated nylon fabric from McMaster-Carr, item 8809K31 at less than $5 for a 61" x 12" x 0.022" thick piece. It's thin enough to cut with a sharp pair of scissors but substantial enough to block spray. Cut it to within an inch off the ground as it will flap a bit in the wind.

[Jimmy Hutch]

I love fancy bike stuff. I also do lots of dumb shit (going down stairs, jamming my bike onto my roof rack, wheelies, etc.) The SKS chromoplastic (or whatever) mudguards on my AHH always seem to bounce back. I'm quite certain aluminum or steel mudguards would be completely destroyed by now.

[Kelly]

The SKS longboards have the quick disconnects and move right out of way nicely.

Kelly

[SMP]

Hi Michael,

I think, at least for the Al fenders I have on my 26" wheels, the front fender hits the curb.  It may just be something realized in the smaller wheel models for Honjo?

[SMP]

Thanks, all for your considerations.  I see many of you are recommending the SKS longboard model, but I've already tried these  It is very difficult to fit a fender made for 700c wheels fit onto a 26" wheel, and it's 45mm width is probably also too narrow for my 26x1.5" tires.  I also had trouble with the length of the front longboard fender hitting the curb, and the fender popping out of the 'socket' (which, in retrospect, is preferred to the alternate option of bending an Al fender out of shape).  This is why, for SKS fenders, I am specifically, only considering the silver P55 of the "chromoplastic" model.

The more I read your comments, the more I am inclined towards going for the SKS, just... the Gilles Berthoud's are so pretty!  If I go with the GB, it will be the 50mm "short" variety.  Not sure what short entails, but after having two sets of too-long fenders, I'm opting for short + mudflap if necessary.

[SMP]

Hmm... that is a good idea regarding redrilling the holes on the Honjos, and rotating them further forward!  I was thinking about maybe cutting the fender, but never even considered this option that seems much cleaner.

[SMP]

Hi all, I decided to go with the P55 SKS silver chromoplastic fenders from Riv.  I believe it will make for a more practical bike in the long run.  In the meantime, I will have to store the Gilles Berthoud idea in the "someday, maybe" box until I am more mechanically inclined to manage metal fender benders.

Thanks for your help in the decision process.

[Christopher Chen]

Sounds reasonable.

After this and the thread about the wooden boxcrates vs. wald baskets, I feel guilty for making your bike less "fancy" :)

[SMP]

Funny...

If it means I will ride it more and be less fearful of locking it, I think you and the bunch helped me make the right decisions :)

[Steven Frederick]

SKS P-50's with a flexible mudflap would be a good choice for your situation--I have that setup on my B-stone XO-1 shod with similar-sized tires and it's been quite durable. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40738390@N08/5469462121/

Steve

[SMP]

Hi Steve,

I believe the P50s are meant for 700c bikes, but I sure would love to see them make a 50mm wide fender for 26" wheels.  I went ahead and ordered the P55.

http://www.sks-germany.com/?l=en&a=product&r=mudguards&i=6409800121&CHROMOPLASTICS

I think I will be needing a massive mudflap after switching to these relatively shorter fenders to have equivalent splash coverage, so thanks for that photo.  Sounds like a fun DIY project.

[Steven Frederick]

Well, my Bridgestone is a 26" wheeled bike and they're fine on there.  As I recall, SKS used to market the P-50s as both 700c and 26" compatible.  (I know from experience that they work well on 650b wheels, too)  I think the P-55s are a fine choice for your situation as well, especially with the additions of a flexible mudflap.

Best of luck!  Steve

[clayton]

I have gone through 2 pairs of the SKS, which both broke from fatigue (assuming) and switched to Planet Bikes polycarbonate fenders. They are now 6 or 7 years old, with no cracks and they have been abused. "Happy with "plexiglass" fenders....".

Clay

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013 1:55:38 PM UTC-7, SMP wrote:

[Patrick Moore]

Rick Risemberg of Bicycle Fixations said a couple of years ago that he had well over 10K miles on his pair of PB fenders (road fixed gear, LA streets) with absolutely no problems. Comparing the old -- and quite narrow -- SKS's I just put on the Ram with the new PB 45 mm fenders on the errand Riv, I must say that the PBs are much less flexible (that's a good thing).

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