Downtube fenders??

[mayanorange]

Do those downtube fenders really work as well as a normal through the fork front fender?

[newfsmith]

No. They were invented for mountain bikes where the safety concern of a stick jamming in the stays prevented the use of full fenders.

[mayanorange]

Guess the commuter really needs a full fender then. Thanks for the info!

[7rider]

Yeah, but they keep the scuz off your waterbottle on commutes with wet roads. I have one on my commuter. I don't expect it to work *as well as* a full fender, but then, I'm a pretty fair-weather commuter, so it works...good enough.

[mayanorange]

Does it keep the water from coming up onto your face and knees? I'm not intending on commuting in downpours, but more if I get caught in the rain or the roads are wet.

The reason I'm asking about this is the front fender broke off at some point and the downtube ones are cheaper than getting a new front one or set.

[7rider]

Does it keep the water from coming up onto your face and knees? I'm not intending on commuting in downpours, but more if I get caught in the rain or the roads are wet.

The reason I'm asking about this is the front fender broke off at some point and the downtube ones are cheaper than getting a new front one or set.

Hmmmm....I don't honestly recall. I rode Bike to Work Day in May in the pouring rain...and I got pretty soaked, regardless. I don't recall getting excessively gunked up when riding on wet roads...well, maybe my shins, but I'm heading for the showers after I ride anyway. The face is okay in that situation. Primarily, it keeps the waterbottle free of road detritus. I guess if you're looking for full protection, it won't cut it, but for light-duty work, it will. BTW: I'm talking the PB Grunge Board for me.