Have you ever noticed those metal or plastic strips covering bike tires? Also known as mudguards—like the flaps you see behind car tires—bike fenders serve to keep water or mud on the ground from splashing you, to keep grime off your bike, to protect your drivetrain, and to keep debris from dinging your frame. This protection will make your ride more comfortable and enjoyable. All that said, whether you need fenders will depend largely on what type of bike you own (or plan on buying), and where/why you ride. Below is a quick look at how fenders suit different kinds of bikes and riding purposes.
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Yes, You Need Them
There are plenty of good reasons to buy fenders for your bike. This is especially true if you commute to work on your bike—you don’t want your work attire to get drenched or splattered with street grime on your way to the office. If you live in a rainy region where there’s frequently water on the ground, fenders are a good idea. But the same is true for anyone commuting in an urban area because your tires kick up debris and grime constantly. The more the fenders cover your wheels, the better the protection they offer, so long fenders are an especially worthwhile investment for city bikes or commuter bikes. The same goes for folding bikes.
If you enjoy paved weekend cyclocross, gravel rides, or road biking, then fenders are advisable for non-competition scenarios (more on that below).
They Could Be Nice to Have
Some people love the vintage elegance of long fenders on cruisers. Even if you don’t commute to work on your cruiser, you can mix-and-match fender colors with your bike’s color for a unique look.
No, You Don’t Need Them
Those in the know advise against fenders in specific conditions and for specific types of bikes. The advice given above suggests fenders are acceptable for non-competitive riding. But competition scenarios change the calculus about fenders. For one, if you are competing in a road race, cyclocross event, or gravel race, you’re probably not going to be too worried about how dirty you get—you probably aren’t wearing your nicest work clothes during the race. You plan on muddying your racing jersey. Also, off-road bikes and racing-style road bikes are difficult to mount fenders onto because of tire size or poor clearance between the tire and fork. Last, if you plan on taking part in competitive off-road races, it’s especially important to be aware of the dangers that fenders present. Fenders can catch brush as you pass by, dragging it into your spokes. A switch or stick in your front spokes is a recipe for flipping over your handlebars.
As you can see, the question of whether you need fenders will depend on a number of factors. For most people riding most kinds of bikes, some sort of fender system makes sense. For others, though, having fenders—or the wrong kind of fender—risks doing more harm than good.
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Sources:
https://www.bikeshepherd.org/what-is-a-bike-fender/
https://twowheelsbetter.net/bike-fenders/
https://cyclingbeast.com/do-bike-fenders-work/
https://bikecommuterhero.com/do-you-need-fenders-on-your-bicycle/
