Bicycle Tidbits

Esge/SKS Fenders

Another fender option is to have your LBS get you fenders from Esge America (AKA SKS).  They are  fairly narrow and made from a rigid plastic/metal laminate.  My LBS called Esge who said they had a couple of different products.  I could get the fenders with mounting points already attached, or order the "recumbent kit" and place the mounts where I needed to have them.  For $50, my LBS was able to sell me a pair of fenders, and all of the mounting hardware to put them on the bike (excluding the four frame bolts for actual attachment).  I added some pop blind rivets and handful of stainless steel bolts to the mix, and spent an afternoon mounting fenders.

What's in that recumbent kit?

two fenders four stainless steel stays two stainless steel stay mounts four stainless steel stay bolts two stainless steel, right angle mounting brackets

How do you mount it?

I had to reach into my parts box to build a good center mount for the rear fender.  It's not light, but it does the trick and it doesn't look too bad from a distance.

The stay mounts are curved to fit inside the fender.  I drilled the plastic and pop blind riveted the mount. For the front, I used an old aluminum Cateye reflector bracket for the center mount. It provided the required reach and weighed a lot less than the stainless steel used on the rear.

I strongly advocate taking the time to install stainless steel bolts through your frame eyelets (to create mounting studs) and using nuts with nylon inserts on the outside. The advantages are many When mounting and removing the rack and fenders, the mounting studs continue to hold the parts even when the securing nut is removed. Every time you use a threaded fastener, it wears.  A little sand or dirt on the threads accelerates this wear.  Since the rack and fenders need to be remounted after suitcase travel,  the mounting points see much more wear than a "normal" bike. If I cross thread or strip my mounting stud, I can back it out, and install another.  If I cross thread or strip out my eyelet, I'm in for a much more expensive repair. Spend a few minutes hunting through a hotel room carpet for a dropped lock washer, and you will soon appreciate the integrated nylon lock nuts as much as I do.   The Esge/SKS fender option is attractive.  It is a rigid fender that fits most tires and doesn't vibrate in the wind.  It provides enough coverage to tow a Burley, but it is expensive and you have to be prepared to spend some time doing the installation.  When I heard about Planet Bike's Freddy Fender, I had to try them out.[ Back ] [ Next ]

[ Up ] [ Green Gear ] [ Esge SKS Fenders ] [ Freddy Fenders ]