A gravel bike with fenders represents the ultimate in versatility. Fast, capable and comfortable in all circumstances.
Some people might suggest that June is an odd time to launch a product like our RaceMax fenders. But this is a northern hemisphere-centric attitude. Right now our gravel riding brothers and sisters below the equator are in the depths of their winter ( or at least what they would call winter).
While they may not be dealing with meters of snow on the ground, a cold rain will ruin your ride just as fast. For them, there’s no better time to protect yourself and your bike. For the rest of us above the 0° line, we can begin to prepare our RaceMax bikes for the darker, wetter rides of winter now.
Installation of the Racemax Fenders is fairly simple. If you’ve ever installed a set of fenders before, it will not feel too different. What is different are 2 main points:
- They are eyelet less fenders (which explains why the Racemax frame doesn’t have any eyelets)
- They fit seamlessly with the silhouette of frame. Makes sense given they were designed especially for it, but the finished product we think is outstanding.
Important notes
It’s important to note a few things:
- The fender fights for the same space in the frame as the tire. So installing a fender means you cannot fit as big a tire as you can without. SKS (who make the blades for us) even recommends a 15mm minimum gap between tire and fender. Adding a full fender is a great way to turn your Racemax into a winter bike. But it you want to ride the most extreme terrain with the biggest possible tire, you’re probably going to get dirty anyway, so it’s not a huge compromise to leave your fender at home.
- If you’re looking to keep the maximum tire clearance and still protect yourself from the worst spray, then something like an Ass Saver or Fender Bendor is a better idea (the latter provides more protection and thanks to the shape of our seatstay crown, it won’t affect tire clearance at all. Of course an Ass Saver doesn’t either).
- It’s important to note that officially, fenders are designed for tires with no or little profile. Keep that in mind when choosing your winter tire.
Video tutorial
If you’re new to putting fenders on your bike we put together a quick tutorial on the installation. And if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments below or email us at info@3T.bike. We’re eager to chat about the RaceMax Fenders or answer any other bike questions you might have.
To get your own set, head over to our webshop to order now.
