The one thing that keeps me off the bike more than anything else is wet streets. Despite equipping my bike with fenders fore and aft, I regularly get soaked.
Sunday after the Flock meeting at OTB, I got positively drenched riding East Carson. I get it from three directions: (a) Splash off the rear of the front wheel, (b) Blowback off the front of the front wheel if I'm going fast enough, (c) Splash off the front of the back wheel. Remember, this is WITH fenders.
These are standard issue Planet Bike fenders I picked up at REI.
What does anyone else do? I know Nate rigged up a nice mudflap on his front fender; saw it at the Reverse Keg Ride. I think it's made out of an old staircase tread or shingle or some such.
If you are staying reasonably dry (granted, not much you can do about falling rain, at least as regards the bike itself), please share what and how. Specifics, especially photos, would be much appreciated.
Do you have *full* fenders?
Mine keep me pretty dry. I also use rain pants.
[edit]Here a photo showing my setup: (from Wheelset of Fortune)
Also, when I went down some hills fairly fast that same night, water was shooting out in front of my bike (as if I were a dude peeing), but not toward me.
You probably ride a lot faster, though....
Here's the classic zip tie setup (albeit with a swanky flap):
I use zip ties and stair tread.
You can also slice a water bottle in half and affix it to your fender. That'll do in a pinch, but something like leather or stair tread isn't as stiff.
Also, DIY linky
Edited to add: If you use something like stair tread, it should nearly hit the ground. Most folks don't use rear flaps, but if you ride with others in the rain often, the person behind you will appreciate one. With the combination of the front flap and a rain cape, I can stay dry save for my shins in a decent drizzle.
I have a pair of SKS Longboard fenders and they do a great job of keeping the water off of me. When it's really coming down or I ride through a puddle I still get some splash, but not much.
The front fender has to come down far enough that it scoops a little under teh tire.
By my standards, I would want to see Pseudacris's front fend cover another inch or two.
You want that - and a mudflap. I made one out of duct tape once.
It will look more than passingly geeky.
^ Staples now sells sheets of duct tape material in fancy colors and patterns (animal prints, florescent, cammo &tc)
BTW, I was just talking to someone about this last week and I found that PB makes longer mudflaps that you can retrofit to "hardcore" fenders. They're only $5/pr, so I thought it was worth a try but I haven't checked to see if any of the local shops have them in stock.
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7026_1.html
(there are 3 different models depending on how wide your fenders are)
