Best fender choice, Zefal 45mm or SKS P45? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

01-29-2005, 06:16 PM

Hi,

I have a set of the Zefal 45mm hybrid fenders in plastic I recently
purchased from my LBS. I am figuring out how to mount them and thought I
would ask if they are worth installing vs the SKS P45 hybrid fenders. I
think either brand will be tie wrap fastened to the frame using additional
holes drilled in place. I am going to put them on a Giant Cypress. The
frame attachements are where I was going to use tie wraps from a link off
this web page: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

From what I have seen on the net, neither manufacturer has instructions on
how to mount their product. Would the SKS P45 fenders hold up much better
than the Zefal 45mm Hybrids (CAB)type? I plan to use the bike for
commuting, city riding, and exercise. The SKS fenders are the same price
as Zefal.

Stan

01-29-2005, 07:18 PM

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 02:16:57 +0000, Stan wrote:

> The SKS fenders are the same price
> as Zefal.

The Zefals are fine, I've got a set of 35mm silver CABs on my single
speed. The brake bridge mount on the rear broke--it was the only cheap
thing, I'd stressed it by fooling around with it a lot, and was replaced
with a piece of drilled metal from my parts bin. No biggie. They're very
strong, much nicer than my old aluminum fenders. I've heard they can crack
in bitter cold, but I've used mine all winter w/o complaint. Maybe the
SKSs are a little better, the Zefals seem just fine to me.

I don't see where you need instructions, use that page you mentioned as
inspiration and certainly DON'T drill into your frame. I find that when I
need to use a zip tie often it's best to zip a tie to the frame and then
zip the fender to that tie instead of just using one to directly attach
stays to frame. Sounds odd, but makes sense when you see it. I can post a
pic if you don't understand.

You shouldn't need anything but a small drill bit, a sack of zipties, and
a 8mm wrench for the stay bolts. Use a pair of wire cutters or scissors to
clean up the ties.

Have fun. :P

01-29-2005, 07:18 PM

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 02:16:57 +0000, Stan wrote:

> The SKS fenders are the same price
> as Zefal.

The Zefals are fine, I've got a set of 35mm silver CABs on my single
speed. The brake bridge mount on the rear broke--it was the only cheap
thing, I'd stressed it by fooling around with it a lot, and was replaced
with a piece of drilled metal from my parts bin. No biggie. They're very
strong, much nicer than my old aluminum fenders. I've heard they can crack
in bitter cold, but I've used mine all winter w/o complaint. Maybe the
SKSs are a little better, the Zefals seem just fine to me.

I don't see where you need instructions, use that page you mentioned as
inspiration and certainly DON'T drill into your frame. I find that when I
need to use a zip tie often it's best to zip a tie to the frame and then
zip the fender to that tie instead of just using one to directly attach
stays to frame. Sounds odd, but makes sense when you see it. I can post a
pic if you don't understand.

You shouldn't need anything but a small drill bit, a sack of zipties, and
a 8mm wrench for the stay bolts. Use a pair of wire cutters or scissors to
clean up the ties.

Have fun. :P

01-30-2005, 06:13 AM

maxo <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in
news

an.2005.01.30.03.16.04.213574@NOSPAMhome.se:

>
> Have fun. :P
>
>

Thanks for the idea to attach the fender to a tie on the bike frame! That
would allow 'hanging' the fender which might help in alignmnet as well.
The beauty of tie wraps is their ease of removal if I want to change the
attachment.

I like instructions for another opinion on how something can be assembled.
Sometimes I use instructions and sometimes not. Think I'll try the Zefal's
since I already have them and they seem really similar to the SKS other
than the material. I am in Virginia and it doesn't get bitter cold here,
so cracking from cold should not be a problem.

Stan

01-30-2005, 06:13 AM

maxo <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in
news

an.2005.01.30.03.16.04.213574@NOSPAMhome.se:

>
> Have fun. :P
>
>

Thanks for the idea to attach the fender to a tie on the bike frame! That
would allow 'hanging' the fender which might help in alignmnet as well.
The beauty of tie wraps is their ease of removal if I want to change the
attachment.

I like instructions for another opinion on how something can be assembled.
Sometimes I use instructions and sometimes not. Think I'll try the Zefal's
since I already have them and they seem really similar to the SKS other
than the material. I am in Virginia and it doesn't get bitter cold here,
so cracking from cold should not be a problem.

Stan

01-30-2005, 09:18 AM

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 14:13:26 +0000, Stan wrote:

> Thanks for the idea to attach the fender to a tie on the bike frame!

No problem. It took me a year to have that little epiphany as I'm not the
brightest bulb. Zip tying the stays directly to my fork wasn't staying in
alignment so I was desperate. LOL

Here's a couple pics for inspiration. First we have the fork mounting:

http://photos4.flickr.com/3995192_9901bad72b_o.jpg

using the "zip to zip" method.

On the rear I had eyelets, but I chose to zip the back of the fender's
little clip (drilled a hole) to get the fender closer to the tire and thus
deflect more debris. If you don't have a little crossbar between your
chainstays, then simply drill two small holes in either side of the fender
and zip to the chainstays:

http://photos1.flickr.com/3995193_60f41119e7_o.jpg

bike:

http://photos1.flickr.com/2634911_5897979186_o.jpg

01-30-2005, 09:18 AM

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 14:13:26 +0000, Stan wrote:

> Thanks for the idea to attach the fender to a tie on the bike frame!

No problem. It took me a year to have that little epiphany as I'm not the
brightest bulb. Zip tying the stays directly to my fork wasn't staying in
alignment so I was desperate. LOL

Here's a couple pics for inspiration. First we have the fork mounting:

http://photos4.flickr.com/3995192_9901bad72b_o.jpg

using the "zip to zip" method.

On the rear I had eyelets, but I chose to zip the back of the fender's
little clip (drilled a hole) to get the fender closer to the tire and thus
deflect more debris. If you don't have a little crossbar between your
chainstays, then simply drill two small holes in either side of the fender
and zip to the chainstays:

http://photos1.flickr.com/3995193_60f41119e7_o.jpg

bike:

http://photos1.flickr.com/2634911_5897979186_o.jpg