You probably know that fenders are there to protect you from wet pavement, but I recently noticed that having fenders on forest trails makes a huge difference.
The fender I’ve been in love for a while is the ZEFAL fender. Got a set of front and rear. If you are deciding wether you should get it or not, get it. It’s worth way more than the price.
I have them both on on my daily rides even if it’s not raining, that’s my style. But for group rides, I take off my rear most of the time.
Rode a forest trail the other day.
It’s quite normal that the terrain is all muddy because it’s underneath shade of trees, even if the area has not had rain for days.
We had two bikes, one having a fender up front, and another having on the rear, so it was good opportunity to examine the effects.
When you see it up close you can easily check the difference.
Without the rear fender, the bike catches mud with its seatpost, with it, no signs of that.
The former will not only get dirty, but it also slams some mud on the rider. That the best bit!, feeling that you are out in the wilderness, some might say. But for me, no. I battle with any dirt as I stow my bike inside my house.
And without the front fender the down tube collects all the mud,
…while with the fender, it’s almost completely protected. So much mud that we can’t see the stickers on the fender!
It’s also apparent how less mud is on the bottle cage with the fender on.
It’s already quite easy to get dust on the bottle lid, but imagine having some big dirt on it! I’d faint in despair.
Yes it’s not 100% avoidable to have dirt even with fenders, but there’s a visible contrast, so I hope this is useful to whose who pay some attention.
P.S.
Having a fender on the rear is also good for not spitting some mud to the rider behind you. Always remember to behave like a gentleman if you are a bike rider.
