GROUP RIDES IN WET WEATHER

Here on Vancouver Island, we are already into the rainy season and over half of our rides, whether they be for training or recreation will be in wet weather. Mudguards or fenders are de riguer in this kind of weather. First of all, they will keep your naughty parts dry and direct most of the spray away from those expensive Sidis. Secondly, they will keep that annoying and so-hard-to-remove dirty stripe off the back of your jersey or jacket. If you are riding in a group, then those mudguards are a must. It's downright inconsiderate to turn up for a wet weather clubrun or group training ride without them! If you have ever ridden behind a fenderless rider, you will know just how soaked you get from the crap coming off his back wheel (I say "his" because the women are invariably more considerate than we men). You will also remember getting a good dose of the spray in your eyes and, even with glasses, being unable to see where the heck you are going.

Your LBS will have mudguards suitable for road bikes and, for those hot carbon numbers with minimal clearance and no fender eyes, here is  a way to fit fenders on them too.

HOW TO ATTACH MUDGUARDS TO A BIKE WITH LITTLE TIRE CLEARANCE

FRONT WHEEL

    1. Make four right angle brackets from aluminum strip 1/16th.thick and 1/2inch across and two straight pieces as shown in picture (A.)
    2. Drill 3/16th” holes centred 3/8th” from each end of angle bracket and a 5/16th. Inch hole at one end of straight bracket, and a 3/16th.” hole at other end of bracket
    3. Remove front wheel and place mudguard in correct position.
    4. Mark where mudguard crosses back of fork crown.
    5. Cut mudguard and sand any sharp edges.
    6. Drill 3/16th. Inch holes on centre line of mudguard 1/2 inch from each cut edge.
    7. Attach brackets to each piece of mudguard with 2mm. screws and Nylok nuts.
    8. Replace brake axle bolts with longer ones.
    9. Secure two sections of mudguard to fork crown by passing brake bolt through the brackets and tightening.
    10. Attach straight brackets to mudguard stays as shown in photo.

REAR WHEEL

1.   If clearance is very small, repeat process. If clearance is sufficient, mudguard will fit beneath   brake.bridge. If clearance between mudguard and sea tube is too small to allow wheel to rotate freely, cut an elliptical hole in mudguard where it presses on seat tube. Place duct tape over this hole.

(To enlarge a photo, tap the cursor on it several times.)

With a little ingenuity, you can fit fenders onto almost any bike.

UncategorizedPeter McCafferyComment