Repair guides › Accessories
Install full fenders
Curved guards over both wheels that keep road spray off you, your drivetrain and the people behind you. Each fender bolts to the frame at the brake bridge or seat-stay mount and at the chainstay bridge, with thin stays running to eyelets at the dropouts. They need at least 15 mm between the front tire and fender (SKS minimum) and about 10–15 mm at the rear.
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Tools
- Ball-end hex key set (1.5–10 mm): Park Tool HXS-1.2 Professional L-Shaped Hex Set ($$)
- 1/4" click torque wrench (about 2–17 Nm) + bits: Pro Bike Tool 1/4 inch drive click torque wrench set (2.2–16.9 Nm) ($$)
- Tape measure + 6" steel ruler: Stanley 16 ft tape measure ($)
- Blue threadlocker + anti-seize: Loctite 242 Blue and Park Tool ASC-1 anti-seize ($)
- Needle-nose pliers + flush cutters: TEKTON needle nose and diagonal cutting pliers ($)
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Steps
- Check clearance first: at least 15 mm between tire and fender all round on the front (SKS minimum) and about 10–15 mm on the rear, with fenders about 10 mm wider than the tire.
- Rear: bolt the fender to the seat-stay bridge and chainstay bridge mounts loosely (use the supplied L-bracket if the bridge has no hole).
- Attach the stays to the dropout eyelets on both sides. Do not tighten yet.
- Slide the stays until the fender follows the tire with an even gap (15 mm or more on the front). Tighten the stay clamps, then the bridge bolts.
- Front: bolt to the fork crown, attach stays to the fork eyelets, set an even gap, tighten.
- The front stays must have safety-release clips (they let a stay pop free if a stick jams). If your set has none, buy them before riding.
- Cut excess stay length with a hacksaw or bolt cutter (not your cable cutter), file the end smooth and fit the rubber end caps.
- Spin both wheels: nothing should touch. Check again after the first ride.
Torque
| Fastener | Torque |
|---|---|
| Fender mount bolts | 3–4 Nm with blue threadlocker |
Diagram
Side view, chain side toward youFender over the wheel
Signs it needs doing
- Rattle over bumps (loose stay bolt)
- Tire rubs the fender (stay length or mount bent)
- Stick or leaf jammed between tire and fender