That mindset stuck with me for years even despite miles of loaded touring and all season commuting. I even wore a poncho to protect me from rain while getting covered in mud from the wheels beneath me. I assumed that getting dirty, wet, uncomfortable, having chipped paint, and constantly cleaning chains and drivetrain, was just part of the sport.
As I mentioned in an earlier post,
http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/2011/02/me-and-mixte.html
gas prices finally made me buy a dedicated commuter bike. I bought a Jamis Commuter 3 and it had fenders. I knew this was supposed to be a utilitarian ride and decided to leave them on. It created that : "WhatthehellhaveIbeenthinkingalltheseyears" moment. I was shocked at what a simple and lightweight accessory can do. I was cleaner, the bike was incredibly clean and I was able to stay reasonable dry and comfortable in the rain and snow.
That experience has turned me 180 degrees on the subject and now all but one of my bikes (my roadie) has fenders, and it will be getting some soon. The original black fenders that came with the Jamis have been replaced with some larger and nicer plastic fenders.
These are the SKS chromoplastic fenders which I think are the best for all weather riding. Being aluminum laminated between layers of plastic, they look great for plastic fenders and take any abuse that can be dished out.
I liked them enough to add them to my all purpose folder, the Dahon Expresso.
The other option is aluminum or steel fenders. I used these aluminum fenders on my first mixte,
they are Velo Orange smooth anodized fenders which were unpolished, accepted primer and paint easily and matched up with the frame beautifully. Surprisingly, I have only had one scratch in two years of use with those fenders, I can't say the same for the frame.
On my Hunqapillar I used the very highly polished Velo-Orange Zepplin fenders, a recreation of classic French design.
I don't really mean to sound like I am totally devoted to VO fenders, Honjo makes nice ones also, but the VO fenders are priced to compete with more common plastic fenders and Honjo fenders are nearly twice the price.
I've gotten to the point that I think a bike looks kind of weird and unfinished without fenders.
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