Choosing Road Bike Fenders: What to Know
OK, so you’ve bought the mountain bike or road bike, but it doesn’t come with fenders and mud would spray up from the tires all over you. Not to worry, there are plenty available on the market to buy that won’t set you back a fortune. There are many reasons as to why a cyclist may want to consider attaching fenders—or mudguards as they are known in the UK—to their road bike. But the main one is protection. Fenders, especially the rear fender, protect the brakes, as well as you and your clothes from getting splashed with water or mud as you ride through puddles or wet roads. They also protect the bike from dangerous elements such as debris, dirt, or sand that could cause significant damage over time.
Choosing the right fender for you
Like with most products these days, there are different variations of the road bike fender. So, now that you’ve made the decision to buy some, you just need to work out what type you need. The two main types of fender are:
- Full-length fenders: This type of fender works well with any road bike. It covers at least half of the tire and provides the most protection of all fender types. Simply bolt on the fender and away you go. Just be aware that these fenders can sometimes interfere with the bike’s suspension system if not a proper fit.
- Clip-on fenders: Not all bikes have fender mounts and so a quick and easy solution for this is to use clip-on fenders. However, this type of fender only normally covers the top portion of the wheel so doesn’t provide quite as much protection as a full-length one.
Other considerations
Before you make your road bike fender purchase you may also want to keep in mind:
- The material that it’s made of. You often get what you pay for when it comes to road bike fenders. So, while there are cheaper models available they may not last very long. For the sake of a few extra dollars, it’s worth investing in some slightly higher quality ones.
- How easy it is to fit. While most bike stores will gladly fit your fenders for a fee, why pay someone of you don’t have to. There are loads of models out there that are relatively easy to fit and can be done in a matter of minutes. Just have a quick look to see how easy it easy to assemble before you buy it.
To give you a head start in your fender shopping expedition, below are a few of the most popular road bicycle fenders available currently:
1. Planet Bike Clip-Ons bike fenders
Price range: Mid
As far as clip-on bike fenders go, these are pretty good all around. They’re made of a weather resistant polycarbonate material that is hard-wearing and will last for years. You can clip them on and off with ease and they’ll fit on almost any bike. They’re very effective at keeping mud at bay and will make a great accessory to any bike.
Weight: 243 grams
Verdict: I love the sleek black look and the fact that they feel really sturdy too. However, you may need to use zip ties to keep them in place as they don’t feel mega secure when going over bumps.
Overall rating: 8/10
2. VeloChampion Rear Guard – Folding Road or MTB
Price range: Low
For a slightly more secure fitted bike fender you want to consider this model as a permanent fixture to your cycle. It’s simple yet effective design is flat at first then transforms into a curved mud guard once placed into your saddle’s rails. No tools or brackets are needed to fit this road bike bender either.
Weight: 20 grams
Verdict: These are extremely lightweight and you hardly even notice they’re there. They look good and provide adequate protection against the rain and mud. My only gripe is that they are a little on the flimsy side.
Overall rating: 9/10
3. SKS Raceblade Pro Bicycle Fender Set
Price range: High
If you’ve got a few dollars to spare then check these road bike fenders out. Made with a quick-release fitting system, these fenders provide great protection in even the worst of weather conditions. After some slight adjusting they can be removed and replaced in under 30 seconds and are fully disc brake compatible. They also have a paintwork protection film applied to keep them looking their best for longer.
Weight: 355 grams
Verdict: I love how solid these fenders feel and the ease at with which they can be put on. Definitely worth the extra money.
Overall rating: 10/10
4. Planet Bike 7058 Cascadia Fender Set Road
Price range: High
Another of the higher end models, these Planet Bike road bike fenders are very well built and, at 130 mm long, they provide more coverage than most standard models. Their all-weather-resistant coating means they can withstand even the harshest of weather conditions ensuring they remain looking their best for a long time.
Weight: 37 grams
Verdict: These fenders are very well made and will look great on any bike. They are a little awkward to fit, but once you have them on they do a great job at keeping you dry.
Overall rating: 9/10
5. BlueSunshine Adjustable Road Mountain Bike Fender Set
Price range: Low
If you want to add a splash of color to your bike, then look no further than these road bike fenders. Lightweight, easy to assemble, and available in a range of colors, these fenders will keep you looking fresh in the worst of weather. Made of high-quality synthetic fiber plastic, these fenders were built to last. They’re extremely stylish and will fit almost any road bike out there.
Weight: 203 grams
Verdict: They’re funky, they’re a great price, and they work well. And, considering they’re of the budget range, the quality isn’t too bad either. For the money you’re paying, what more could you ask for?
Overall rating: 10/10
