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Fenders Be Good

I like fenders.

I understand why a sport cyclist doesn’t want fenders on a road bike. But for utility bicycles fenders are nice to have because they keep road gunk off your clothes.

Some fenders, however, are better than others. Take a look at these two cruisers parked on the MSU campus this morning.

Both the front and rear fenders on these bicycles fail to cover enough of the tires to be effective in stopping avenue splatter. I assume these fenders are, instead, decorations. And as long as the owners avoid puddles, grime, slop, and avoid riding in wet weather, these fenders will do the job intended, i.e. look good (I suppose).

I’ve drawn arrows on the photo to indicate the coverage of a proper fender.

Now take a look at my Redline R530.

The fenders cover enough of the wheel to prevent the spewing of street slime.

The propelling of pike poop by bicycle tires is no laughing matter. Really.

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Comments 7

  1. Joyce wrote:

    I was running an errand on my big knobby tires (with fenders) a week or two back when I caught up with a much speedier-looking cyclist who was gingerly coasting on his fender-bereft bike (while standing up, to be further from the splatters of MUP-mucus) through some puddles on a local bike path. It’s the little things. :-)

    Posted 11 Aug 2009 at 2:50 pm
  2. Bond, James wrote:

    i wear my leg splatter like a badge of honor

    Posted 11 Aug 2009 at 3:10 pm
  3. Steve A wrote:

    We don’t have such filth around North Texas.

    Seriously, I don’t have fenders mounted to any of my bikes, though I’ve been thinking about it for about the last six months and actually HAVE a set of fenders I’ve owned since I grew up in Seattle. This time of year, when it’s wet, it’s one of two things around here – a thunderstorm, or a sprinkler that you aim for since it’s blistering hot out.

    Posted 11 Aug 2009 at 5:55 pm
  4. Alexander wrote:

    Pike poop… how unpleasant…

    Posted 12 Aug 2009 at 1:33 pm
  5. Alexander wrote:

    You know I wonder… this is the single most effective article in making me think twice about commuting on a bike… I wonder if pike poop or unpleasant “messy” experiences is a culprit here…

    Posted 12 Aug 2009 at 1:39 pm
  6. Andy Cline wrote:

    Alex… Fenders and a chain guard keep you and the bicycle very clean. I’ve ridden in a suit and tie with no problems at all.

    Posted 12 Aug 2009 at 4:07 pm
  7. Keri wrote:

    Don’t forget the mud flap to keep your shoes dry :-)

    Those decorative fenders are pretty goofy.

    Posted 15 Aug 2009 at 3:29 pm