Customer Reviews

Planet Bike Grunge Board Bicycle Down Tube Splatter Guard Fender

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've got a bicycle without any mounting holes for fenders. It also doesn't have enough clearance between the forks/brakes and tires to jerry-rig a fender. However, I hate not riding my bike because of light rain or a few puddles.

The Grunge Board was the best option that I could find at a reasonable price. It straps onto the downtube with a couple of rubber straps. I've got an 80s racing bike with tight geometry, and the dimensions of the board are small enough to clear the crankarms and the front wheel during turns. But just so (orientation makes a difference).

I've ridden through some big puddles and it seems to do a fairly good job of keeping my pant legs from getting soaked. I still put some scotch tape over the holes/slits around the bottom bracket to keep the gunk from getting in. The board is light enough that I leave it on all the time, even when it's not raining...just in case there is an unexpected puddle.

I have to take off a star because I think the mounting band should have been designed better. First, it hard to push the rubber bands through the narrow slots once they wrap around the downtube. The bands have slits in them that attach to nubs on the underside of the board. The nubs are not large enough to hold the bands in place perfectly securely. They seem to usually work, but the bands come off occasionally. If you have a small diameter downtube (as in most pre-90s, bikes), there are also a couple inches of extra rubber band that just flop around. It shouldn't be too hard for Planet Bike to redesign this retention mechanism, but it's also hard to complain for ~$10.

You can use a couple of cable ties instead of the rubber bands and they'd probably do a better job. You could also use a large soda bottle cut to size and get the same effect, though arguably a bit uglier.

I recently put studded tires on my commuter bike to deal with ice/snow on the bike path. The tires work great, but my fenders could not accommodate the increased thickness so they had to be removed. I bought this to deal with splatter coming from the front wheel.
Installation was easy, and the fender appears to be solidly made (it is, of course, just molded hard plastic). The straps were secure, and rubberized to prevent slipping. Product appears fairly well designed, as splatter has gone down significantly. The two fins seem to be angled properly to prevent any interference with the wheel while doing their job. I have not noticed any significant increased drag since installing.

This type of fender will never replace completely the functionality of those that act directly on the wheel, as it does not turn with the wheel. Therefore, splatter that is kicked up during a turn can still get onto your pants/shoes, etc.

For under $10 I have no complaints and have to give it a '10'.

For improvements I would pay for I say:

Yes, as someone said, the mounting strap system could be better. I got them to work fine with slot holding nicely, (make sure you settle both end of the slot firmly), but I expect the strap will fail and just the right cable ties (long, thin, black) or something will be required. And for now the extra length and ends of the straps are dangling in the wind because I don't want to cut them down because it would be impossible to put it back on without that length. Nowhere to tuck it under something. For now they are amusing me. But I suppose a strategic application of a little gaffers tape is indicated.

For me, as a 6'2" rider on 700's, about two inches longer would be nice. I have not actually been through real wet yet, but from the look of the angles I'm expecting those 2 inches will be the difference between my hands and feet getting splashed, or not. But for a one size fits all product, I can see how my size could be too big for smaller frames and 26" wheels. Otherwise nicely shaped, I think.

About the cable on the down tube interfering, at first it looked like a problem, but then in wasn't. I have housingless cables. First it looked like the way to go was one under the strap the other over; once I settled on both under the strap and cinched it all down, the cables move unimpeded, no pinching. But,...I also have an oddly shaped down tube that might help the situation (Marin Lucas Valley).

The look is very cool. My own little spoiler. I will admit part of my reason to buy was style, and I am not displeased.

Although I mention areas for improvement, for [...] and free shipping, it keeps it's 5-star rating with me.

But, actually, for me, I'd rather pay a extra buck or two and get better straps. So I take away a star for that. Spoil me with the spoiler; give me the luxury straps, please. I bet the leading question amongst owners of a year or more would be; 'So how did YOU end up re-attaching YOURS?'

On the other hand, I'm sure this one of the reasons that it IS actually under 10 bucks, that is beautiful. And the straps ARE working fine, at least for now.

If your bike has cables running forward of the downtube, this product will interfere. I was able to slip it in below the cables, but the length of the fender, normally a plus, leads to rubbing of the cables at their lowest point, and I don't want that.

The fender works, does what it is suppose to do, I am giving it 3 starts because the rubber bands that it comes with to hold it to the down tube are poor quality, I put it on the first time, then I was washing my bike and when I tryied to put it on again one of them broke, I am currently using black plastic straps to hold it, it works but its hard to put on and off since now I have to cut them.

the whole reason i got this was to protect the paint on the down tube of my cannondale mt bike.

Slides around a bit but gets the job done. Worth the money not to get sprayed in the face with street water.

Very good solution if you do not want the old type, works with road and hybrid bikes perfectly.

I still get messy when using this, but I am sure it makes some difference. I wish I could find some fenders for my 2.5" tires...