What color fenders?

[Tuckervill]

It's T'giving morning and I'm sitting in my kitchen way too early to put the turkey in the oven. Let's just say it's the quiet before the storm, and what am I doing up????

So here's my question: What color fenders should I put on this bike? Silver or black?

I'm leaning towards black. I have a black Brooks B72 that I bought off ebay on the way. That's the original paint job--a champaign color with maroon accents. Brooks has a maroon saddle coming out, but it's way out of my price range, so went with black rather than honey.

Do you think black fenders would overwhelm it? I have a real thing for black bikes. Some of the guys on Classic & Vintage have gorgeous all-black bikes that I just pant over. I haven't decided whether I'll repaint this bike, yet, but I plan on riding it as is next season.

I can't believe I'm even thinking about it today!

Karen

[SouthernBelle]

Between those 2 choices, black fenders. A maroon would look good against that champagne though.

I wish all saddles had more variety in colors. Even when they have colors it's mostly primary colors, with the occasional pink. Maybe we should look at making covers just for the color. Of course you wouldn't want to cover a pretty leather brooks.

[bouncybouncy]

they are more expensive but they sure are fun and beautiful!!! I was looking at his pics and there are a set made with a really really dark wood with a light wood stripe....looks like they were made for your bike...

http://www.woodysfenders.com/products.php

scroll through to find them

My hubby and I got some...Mr Woody actually spent at least an hour on the phone with us getting the colors and design we wanted...I am a little eclectic and hubby is a little more classic. We love them:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurieallyn/sets/72157603263263178/

When we got ours a few months ago they were $100 a set which I thought was a deal for wood fenders...it was an anniversary gift for ourselves.

[mimitabby]

hey bouncy, how heavy are those compared to regular fenders?


Karen, i'd prefer black on your bike

[Tuckervill]

I just LURVE those wood fenders. I got to see some in person on the River Trail in Little Rock last summer. Lovely.

Maybe that's what I should put on my Christmas list. :) :) :)

I'm definitely leaning towards the black, Mimi.

Karen

[Melalvai]

I vote silver, because it will stand out more than black.
To me, bike fashion is all about what makes me the most visible. Reflective orange road vest, yellow fenders, yellow & orange wrap on my handlebar.

I am the height of fashion. Just ask my 12 yr old daughter... :D

[KnottedYet]

I'd vote wood or silver. But black would be nice too. And so would maroon...

what about those nice hammered aluminum ones?

goodness, I'm no help at all!:D

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Tucker... verrry niiice bicycle :)

I don't have fenders on my bikes... but I do have an opinion :p

I'm leaning with you
Black wold look classy with the black accent of your saddle... you already have two colours on your bike, and my tastes tend to find too many colours on a bike too much.

(I even take non-matching "loud" stickers off my bikes!)


LOL Knot... too funny... you sound like me at work when I am asked for an opinion - in'it great to see mulitple perspectives :p

[margo49]

I actually have a pathological objection to black, but in this case I would say deff. You don't want to introduce another colour.
imho

[RoadRaven]

Hmmm... I wonder if this says somethig about Kiwis, Margo?
:p

[SadieKate]

I personally think the wood fenders would look fabulous on that bike. You can also get them on ebay: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcody6702. Cody sells pretty steadily there so you can watch for variations. I bought a pair from him that are gorgeous and surprisingingly lightweight. Now that I live in the same town, I've been keeping my eye out for bikes with them but working from home means I'm not out and about during the day too much.

[bouncybouncy]

mimi - I have no idea what the wooden fenders weigh...I can tell you they are not heavy at all! They weigh more than my plastic Freddy Fenders but they were surprisingly light! I have to wonder if different woods weigh differently though? I am sure a quick call to Woody...he was extremely nice and helpful with picking colors and sizes for my not-so-easy to fit bike!!!

I do agree with the majority here with black as a good color this is the fender (although not absolute black) but, again, a quick call to Woody and he would most likely find the darkest piece of wood he could...if a woodchuck could chuck...oh, sorry...

[Tuckervill]

I guess one can never get consensus on taste! Not that I needed consensus or anything.

I'm a little chagrined to think the non-wood fenders available are all made of plastic. There's no place nearby where I could look at them and hold them and I all I can think of is them snapping in half if they're twisted or something. I don't want the to be heavy, of course, but they're just not the aluminum fenders of old that I'm used to.

I'm going to think about those wooden ones. I've got all winter to dream. The bike needs new tires and tubes and a good tune up before I can ride it (I test rode it the day I bought it). Once that saddle comes in I will be dying to try it, so I'm sure I'll get hopping on it soon.

Karen

[RoadRaven]

Well... :rolleyes: if the wood fenders weren't quite right, then you could paint them black....

[KnottedYet]

RaleighDon's hammered aluminum fenders seem quite sturdy, and really are pretty. MimiTabby might know how to find them for you...

(just adding fuel to the fire, here. ;) )

[elk]

I guess one can never get consensus on taste! Not that I needed consensus or anything.

I'm a little chagrined to think the non-wood fenders available are all made of plastic. There's no place nearby where I could look at them and hold them and I all I can think of is them snapping in half if they're twisted or something. I don't want the to be heavy, of course, but they're just not the aluminum fenders of old that I'm used to.

I'm going to think about those wooden ones. I've got all winter to dream. The bike needs new tires and tubes and a good tune up before I can ride it (I test rode it the day I bought it). Once that saddle comes in I will be dying to try it, so I'm sure I'll get hopping on it soon.

Karen

Karen..I have plastic fenders on both my bikes...and they are almost invisible, work really well and weigh nothing....I was also surprised to read that they are Grant Peterson's favorite fenders...the SKS plastic...

That is a beautiful bike and I wouldn't put anything BUT black fenders on it...I think the wood would look too heavey...but then, I don't like those wood fenders....I just don't think wood is the best material for the job...
and they are overpowering...IMNSHO

Look at my JA...it has the black plastic SKS fenders...which work really well.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19921&page=4

I have STRONG opinions about these things!!!

[kfergos]

I'm a fan of black. They don't draw too much attention to themselves.

[Tuckervill]

Karen..I have plastic fenders on both my bikes...and they are almost invisible, work really well and weigh nothing....I was also surprised to read that they are Grant Peterson's favorite fenders...the SKS plastic...

That is a beautiful bike and I wouldn't put anything BUT black fenders on it...I think the wood would look too heavey...but then, I don't like those wood fenders....I just don't think wood is the best material for the job...
and they are overpowering...IMNSHO

Look at my JA...it has the black plastic SKS fenders...which work really well.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19921&page=4

I have STRONG opinions about these things!!!

YEAH! They just blend right in! I'm getting the black! Still waiting on that Brooks...Parcel Post takes a long time. :(

Karen

[elk]

If you do go with the black plastic...make sure you get the SKS fenders..:D

[7rider]

mimi - I have no idea what the wooden fenders weigh...I can tell you they are not heavy at all! They weigh more than my plastic Freddy Fenders but they were surprisingly light! I have to wonder if different woods weigh differently though? I am sure a quick call to Woody...he was extremely nice and helpful with picking colors and sizes for my not-so-easy to fit bike!!!

I do agree with the majority here with black as a good color this is the fender (although not absolute black) but, again, a quick call to Woody and he would most likely find the darkest piece of wood he could...if a woodchuck could chuck...oh, sorry...

FWIW, I vote for these in this post from bouncy2. Very classy.......

[Tri Girl]

Glad you're going with the black!
And if you can help it, never have anything shipped parcel post. DH works for the post office and hates parcel post. It's the step-child of all mail. If they don't have room or time to deliver it that day, it gets held back a day. Priority or first class mail always gets first/top priority. It's not like they'll hold it back a week, but it's not the first on their list to get delivered if all h*ll breaks loose and it's a crazy mail day (which most are lately).
But shhhhhh.... I didn't tell you this....

[Tuckervill]

Yes, my husband used to build automation systems for the postal service centers. He said the amount of mail just left lying on the floor was astounding!

I think, if the saddle gets to my town, the local USPS people are very diligent. I didn't always experience that diligence when I lived in Memphis!

Karen

[elk]

He said the amount of mail just left lying on the floor was astounding!
Karen

oh that is SO depressing!

reminds me of a story about WIlliam Faulkner (the one and only great William Faulkner). For awhile he worked at the PO to support himself...but he hated the job and used to throw the mail into the trash.....:eek:

[SadieKate]

My hubby and I got some...Mr Woody actually spent at least an hour on the phone with us getting the colors and design we wanted...I am a little eclectic and hubby is a little more classic. Did he call himself Woody? Because all of my correspondence with him, including his handwritten signature, says "Cody Davis." He lives here in town. Just want folks to understand that we are talking about the same person.

FYI for those who want wood fenders: Mine are 1.5" wide and made from lace wood and padouk. With the hardware and still in the bubblewrap, the pair weighs 440 grams/15.5 ounces which means that, in general, only clip on fenders or carbon models weigh less.

I'm not sure why wood isn't a good material for the job. They are finished much like a wood boat is finished.

[Tuckervill]

The ones I saw in person looked very very durable. The finish was very deep so know they probably have marine varnish on them. I know that wood can be used for extremely light things. They were so beautiful. I love handmade things!

Karen

[elk]

you're right....wooden boats rock (:p )

I was just thinking that the job of fenders is to keep the splash off you and your bike...a dirty thankless job just right for inconspicuous plastic....wouldn't want wooden mud guards on my car, for instance...

'course if they appeal to your sense of beauty...then get them...!!!

function + beauty is a noble goal!!!

[Tuckervill]

Yup, I'd be sad if I did something stupid and broke a beautiful piece of art like those wood fenders. I'll just have to find the *right* bike to put wood fenders on, instead of my tourer! ;)

Karen

[bouncybouncy]

Did he call himself Woody?


No...I could not remember his name and did very little corresponding personally because hubby spent most of the time talking with him...my bike was very hard to fit (disc brakes and 29'r wheels)

Our fenders are 2" I believe (please don't quote me on this) but our bikes are set up with wider tires ( 38c wide ) mine are also padouk as well with a bit of purple heart swirling through...sorry we did not weigh them before putting them on the bikes but it did not matter to me! they were so beautiful and a few grams did not make much of a difference on my steel Monkey!

I have ridden through water, gravel, dirt path, potholes, construction, and smooth pavement...no issues!!! They are quite pliable for those occasions I am not paying attention and have put my bikes full weight on the rear fender while trying to hang it...still in good shape!

happy shopping regardless of what you decide wood you will love them....;)

[Tuckervill]

I am resisting your subliminal messages!

poor

Karen