It's a beautiful day out; sunny and dry with a gentle breeze. You decide you're going to take the bike out for a ride through your nearest park. You're riding along the the trail under the canopy of trees, and it's all so beautiful that you feel like bursting out into song just like a Disney musical, minus the talking animalsthey were always unnerving. Suddenly, without warning, the skies open up and you're drenched. Thunder, lightening, even hail is pelting you no, pretty much ruining your day and leaving you looking like a mess.
You get home, soaked, and are about to put your bike away before hurrying inside when you notice your wheels are covered in mud. All those precious components, full of caked up dirt and so much water your bike is already rusting before your eyes. After you have a requisie overdramatic meltdown, you are going to need to head out and get some fenders.
Choosing a Fender For Your Bike
* If you are going to be biking through rain often, depending on the kind of climate you live in, you are going to want longer fenders for better coverage.
* For the rear wheel, you may want a shorter that will be easier to remove. These are often attached to your seat post.
* Make sure you have at least 1/8th of an inch between your fender and wheel so the tire doesn't hit the fender if it becomes unbalanced.
* Wood fenders are heavy, but sturdy, and will give your bike a vintage look.
* Plastic fenders are cheaper and lighter so they won't weigh you down, but they are more less durable.
* Metal fenders hold up the best, but they are heavy so they will weigh down your ride.
Fender Manufacturers
These are some of the main manufacturers to check out for bike fenders:
* Planet Bike
* SKS
* Topeak
* Avenir
* Pyramid
