OK, so technically, I haven’t done this change, but I am trying to do it. Here’s the deal: I’ve been riding my bike through winter as much as possible, and thanks to global warming it hasn’t been so bad. In fact, there’s been more rain and sleet than there has snow. However, what sucks about this is that while Quentin has a basket on his rear end to protect my behind from getting slushy, Deni’s got nothing. He needs a fender or some mudguards, stat.
I’ve been putting off buying any, though, mostly because I think they look kind of ugly, but also because a lot of them are plastic, which would mean going against my pledge. But then, as I was coming home the other night, I saw this bike locked outside my building with a funny improvised fender — it was basically one of those 1.5L plastic bottles of Evian, sliced vertically in half and fastened to the frame with an elastic.
Genius!
So, this is what I’m trying to do. I don’t have any plastic water bottles, of course, but I rummaged through my recycling bin and found some other things I could use. I tried to cut an old plastic bottle of Cab-Sauv ’cause I thought that could be kind of wino-chic, but it was too tough. Nothing glass will do and my leftover vinegar bottle was too lopsided.
I was thinking of going a little rectangular and using one of my old Tetra Paks of soy milk, but part of me is also scared to slice any of them open, lest any stale soy odours come flying out — I really don’t need more dry heaving right now, thanks. So I might have to wait until another plastic container of something runs out.
My other problem is that I can’t see where I should attach this contraption — how does it not interfere with the back brake cables? I’d have to hook it up to the seat post or something, but that’s really high up.
Ideas? Suggestions? Help?
January 17, 2008 at 5:48 am |
Vanessa,
If there are any elections coming up (not sure when you do that sort of thing north of the border), you could consider using those political campaign signs. This site has instructions on how to put one together:
http://www.mile43.com/peterson/FendForYourself.html
TTYL,
Dave
January 17, 2008 at 2:07 pm |
Ah, Dave beat me to it. While the plastic bottle is an interesting idea, I’d go with Dave’s suggestion first. Fenders made from leftover signs are much easier to build since the material is much easier to work with, and will give you far better coverage than a bottle strapped to your seat post.
In general, what you want from a fender as as close to full coverage around the rear wheel as you can get, and sort of the same for the front but you don’t need to go all the way around the front of the front tire.
As always, Flickr’s got some great pictures to give you a better idea of what these look like and how they work http://flickr.com/search/?q=coroplast+fender
Also, you don’t NEED to use political campaign signs – real estate companies and lots of our businesses use the same material for their signs. Also, DIY fenders are making a bit of a comeback right now, and I’m finding that a fair number of bike shop owners are stashing away signs for this very purpose. Ask around, I suspect you’ll find the materials you need pretty easily.
January 17, 2008 at 3:50 pm |
You can still use aluminum or steel fenders or what ever you like. The key is to have lots of junk around when starting the project. Old rear racks help for stability,…wire, tape and rubber bands can assist you with the attaching the fender pieces recycling old plastic fenders is still a good thing. If you would like to borrow my shop or need any helpful hints, …just say the word. I do this stuff all the time.
January 17, 2008 at 4:20 pm |
Check with Mike of Mike the Bike. I bet he’s already got something designed for just this purpose.
January 17, 2008 at 6:25 pm |
Oh geez Vanessa, drop by on Saturday and we can use my recycle box and the plethora of tools my dad left post reno to mcgiver you up something. I actually even have one you could borrow till I buy a new bike.
January 17, 2008 at 6:35 pm |
I used to live with a pro bike racer and he and his teammates used a 2 liter bottle for a fender because they didn’t want to buy one. You just cut it in half and punch holes in the top round part and then tie it on your seat post with some twine or something.
January 18, 2008 at 1:30 am |
Surely someone at work has a bottle you can have?!
January 18, 2008 at 4:29 am |
a great interesting idea and at a very low cost which is also nice