Submitted by
burcak
a Cross Country Rider
from Turkey
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2010
Strengths: Looks
Weaknesses: Nearly EVERYTHING other than that!!!
Bottom Line:
Well, you think what if something goes wrong with a $30 fender.. if it doesn't work you'll replace it with smt else, right? But it's not always that simple; on my first ride with this fender set, I have split my chin and lip and had some good number of stitches because of it! This was a result of a combination of the front fender's bracket locking up my fork and fender getting stuck between my frame and wheel, sending me into the air!
This Proline fender is a real shame of engineering design! First of all there is a rubber hose to assemble the front fender to your fork!!! Whose brilliant idea was that??? The inner nut keeps spinning and it is nearly impossible to tighten its bolt! And when you do eventually manage to tighten it, it is a HELL to remove it from your fork! The rubber gets stuck inside after only one day, let alone a full muddy winter!
Fortunately (or shall I say un-fortunately?) I found some sensible hardware and replaced the stock one with that. Even after this, it required a lot of bending and reshaping to get a reasonable fit.
After I crashed I realized that the bracket of fender was interfering with the arch of my SID100, and actually there was NO WAY it will work with this fork! Ok, I have to admit, I should have deflated my fork and check the fender at bottom out before a test ride.. But this still is not an excuse for its poor safety, as you won't be able to do that check on a spring fork.
For the rear fender; it is really short and it only protects the saddle from mud.. There was as much mud on my bottom and back as there was inside the fender. So what's the point of installing it anyway???!!!
The bottomline is; T.H.E people! Get yourself some "ENGINEERS" instead of visual designers!!! And get them inspect some "working" products before letting out any of "yours"!!!!
Similar Products Used: Some old XC fenders, don't know the brand.
Bike Setup: Marin Pine Mtn HT Steel 13" with SID100 fork
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Submitted by
BizS
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2010
Strengths: Good looking, ease of installation
Weaknesses: Plastics are thin; I don't do any freeride or DH, and I've owned both the Sportline and Proline THE fenders, and have cracked both of them in due time (~6m to 1yr). The weak point is where the bracket attaches to the fender itself--the plastic of the fender ends up cracking. The plastics used is not injection moulded--so though it is lighter, it is much weaker/flimsier.
Bottom Line:
Expect to get ~1 season out of these fenders--less if you do more aggressive riding. If you do any type of freeride, enduro, or DH, then expect even less; I'd steer clear of these fenders for that type. This may be strictly a XC fender, to save weight, and only then to be used for training rides (not for race use). Overall, I'm disappointed in the product, and will be sending THE an email about this.
Bike Setup: Yeti 575, Ellsworth Truth, Intense Spider XVP
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Submitted by
jaco
a Cross Country Rider
from costa rica
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2005
Strengths: not sure
Weaknesses: whimsy, back part of the front fender kept hitting the wheel when jumping or even when the fork compressed making an awfull racket
Bottom Line:
I kept the front part and ditched the rear part of the front frnder to avoid the racket after jumping with it last time made it come apart. Im not sure how this prod compares to other out there but im not very happy with the way this product has worked out.
Submitted by
Ren Desa
a Cross Country Rider
from Camp Humphreys, Korea
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004
Strengths: Easy to install, simple and light design, looks good, does a good job of keeping my legs clean of muck.
Weaknesses: My fork crown hits the fender's extended wings on very tight curves, and the disc brake hoses interfere with the algnment of the fender.
Bottom Line:
This is a review for the front frame fender only.
The fender is well made, attarctive, light and serves it purpose well. I use this mostly to ride to work on rainy days, and I remove it when it's not raining. I haven't used it on a trail yet. It attaches to the bottom side of the down tube with two velcro 1"x1" squares and zip ties. You can put it on in less than 30 seconds, and to remove you just gotta cut the zip ties, and yank on the velcro.
When water is splashed on the fender from the tires it quickly gets diverted down and out on the side wings. The wings are also useful when turning, as they will catch the water being splashed from tires at an angle. The wings do however interfere with the my fork crown on tight curves.
The front lip of the fender rests against the front disc brake hose and it's always slightly crooked. I can straighten the fender but after a few minutes the brake hose will make it crooked again.
The shiny yellow finish looks real goos and people really notice it against a mettalic red bike. many people commented that they look cool. I rode this fender in the rain for over 2 weeks and they do exactly what they're meant to do, keep your legs clean of road muck.
Similar Products Used: Cheap Korean Lespo fenders, SKS rear fender.
Bike Setup: 2004 Gary Fisher Tarpon, Truvativ crank and rings, Crank Bros. Mallet C Pedals, Easton EA50 100mm 0deg stem, Easton EA50 flat handlebar, Shimano hydraulic front disc brakes, Shimano deore front hub on Mavic rims.
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Submitted by
Sam G
a Downhiller
from Benalla
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004
Strengths: looks the goods. does what it needs to very well. easy to install
Weaknesses: when i take it off it shows a clean and dirty section on my frame from where it has protected(not bad really). might fall off if not kept tight.
Bottom Line:
go for it. a mudguard is a mudguard. they guard your bike from mud. cant be that hard really. get one if you need one. they are probably all performance equal. just not equal weight.
Submitted by
Joe Mullan
a Weekend Warrior
from Tacoma, Wa. Usa
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003
Strengths: The Hold Up ok put they have some kickass colours to choose from
Weaknesses: the metal bar that hold the two front fenders is bent just when i tried to install it the first day. The rear fender is just fine but looks nerdy is you arent gonna use it
Bottom Line:
if you get the fenders have the shop put in the star nut because its a pain in the arse if you dont. Use the fenders if you want to stay sorta clean on trails. but just for city riding, just take em off because you'l look like a poser
Bike Setup: 2003 hardrock pro w/ disc. all stock except a mavic 219 front rim and an easton ea30 handlebar
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Submitted by
Ace Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Paducah
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003
Strengths: Looks cool in the carbon model, does keep off most of the mud from me.
Weaknesses: Kind of flimsey. I have glued mine back together many times. Can't find them anymore.
Bottom Line:
I have used the THE front fender since it came on the market but now it is getting pretty rough due to many crashes and road trips (wind vibration). I would like to find a replacement but there only seems to be low quality versions out there now. What happened to THE anyway? Some reviewer here mentioned "Mud Machine". Don't know if this a bike or fenders? Anyone know the 411 on other GOOD fenders?
Bike Setup: SC Blur with all XT, Marz Marathon SL, Mavic CrossMax SL. WTB tires, etc
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Submitted by
C K
a Downhiller
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003
Strengths: Looks OKAY, keeps most mud out of face after modifying.
Weaknesses: Virtually everything, I had to make a new bracket with no lift on the back half (like all other similar fenders), and swap the front half to the back so it would keep any mud off. Plastic hardware?! What a joke. After my mods it only keeps mud off of my face, not my clothes.
Bottom Line:
I would pay NO MORE than $10, and that is still questionable.
Similar Products Used: Rear fender moded for front
Bike Setup: 2003 Hardrock Pro Disc with a few mods.
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Submitted by
Sasanka K
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft collins, co. From Australia
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002
Strengths: THE downhill fender...i got it cheap. very light, looks waayy cool. i have a clear fender so i can see my wheel woork and brakes and stuff if i needed to.
Weaknesses: the plastic seems very flimsy. its lil dodge geting on the fork. had to fiddle wiht it a pit. the rubber piece looks like its gona bust..could be a little longer at the rare of the fork.
Bottom Line:
I got it for a great price. $9.99. so i recon its the best thing fo rteh price. i shoped around and found them for $45 which is ridiculas. its made off cheap plastic, a lil bit thiker than teh plastic you find in soda bottles. But for me its a great buy. keep an eye on performance.com one week they reduced it to 9.99 and i jumped on it. they still might have it.
Submitted by
Fry Shaffer
a Downhiller
from Bellingham, WA, U.S.
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002
Strengths: Looks, and it does its job well.
Weaknesses: Mounting on Both the front and rear Pro series fenders is very weak, looks like the rear fender will break off bunny hopping. and the front fender will vibrate and move
Both problems are easily fixed with some extra cord ties and extra velcro.
Bottom Line:
These are great fenders but the mounting that came with them couldn't be weaker. I had buy extra velcro for the front frame fender just so it wouldn't move. And for the rear fender i had to put some extra cord ties that cannect to the bottom of my seat, for extra support. It took a long time to find creative ways to secure them better, but now there perfect and thier never gonna move.
Its well worth it if you buy it at a good price, and spend the time to make them secure.
I recomend them to any one who has mudd sprayed in thier face and up thier back.
Submitted by
runtcat
a Weekend Warrior
from warren N.J usa
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002
Strengths: look good
Weaknesses: mounting hardware is a joke,pretty cheesy material, basicly everything!!!
Bottom Line:
save your money for something better these fenders suck! this will be the last T.H.E product i buy what a waste of money, unless you get them free! tried to contact the company about mounting problem, but never got a response
Submitted by
eelpie
a Cross Country Rider
from virginia
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002
Strengths: Looks, functionality.
Weaknesses: Durability, design, MSRP.
Bottom Line:
Only used the rear fender w/ seatpost mount (how do you get back low off of your saddle if you mount it on the seatpost rails???). Not worth MSRP and not really worth $17. The hardware is generic and poorly devised, uses 2 different types of bolt heads (standard/phillips and hex)--looks like something you'd cobble together in desperation at your local hardware store; if you tighten the bolts/nuts enough to prevent loosening, you can stress the plastic and crack it at the bends right at the start; most importantly, the seatpost collar doesn't fit my standard 27.2 Thomson post, even with the rubber shim (had to add an additional shim I had laying around)...who the hell is designing these things, anyway? I'm sure it won't last a month...on the upside, it has kept most of the mud from skunking my back (but so would a piece of cardboard) and it looks cool.
Bike Setup: On-One Inbred SS, Thomson post and stem, RF Turbine splined cranks and BB, Sun 0 degree lite rims w/ Surly NEW hubs, Shimano freewheel, Selle Italia Max Trans Am saddle, King headseat, Avid SD 7 brakes, Conti Vert Pro rear and WTB Mutano 2.4 front, Marzocchi BAM 80 fork, Answer ProTaper bar, SRAM PC-1 chain
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Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, CANADA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002
Strengths: These fenders are amazing!! Not only do they look super cool, and they work pretty well too. I got the carbon ones, they will match almost any bike! They are super heavy-duty too! I have been doing a lot of jumping lately, and they stand up to it just fine!!
Weaknesses: THE PRICE!!! HOLY SH*T!!! These things could definitely be cheaper, i paid $49.00can each for the front and rear fender. And that was on sale. I guess they are worth it though as the alternative is getting dirt in your eye and falling off a cliff!
Bottom Line:
These fenders are awesome. You can't beat'm for quality, but price, you sure could. But i guess it all boils down to this: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
Similar Products Used: CCM crap fenders, other than that, nothing!
Bike Setup: Giant ATX 860, Deore cranks, THE fenders, Specialized spedometer
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Submitted by
kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from ohio
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Strengths: cool asthetics
Weaknesses: I CAN"T MOUNT THEM
Bottom Line:
the mounting is horrible, the black rubber thingy won't even go into my fork tube, what a joke, the whole design depends on having the rubber piece fit. i have yet to even try to mount the back one though, it ought to be a bit more easier....bottom line...find someone who already mounted them to their bike and can show you how to do it before you buy
Bike Setup: trek 8500, with hayes disks, judy fork, shimano componenets and these pices of wang
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Submitted by
H Sato
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002
Strengths: Looks
Weaknesses: Everything else
Bottom Line:
We have been using the THE fenders since 2000, since looks-wise, the THE fenders have had no equal until now. However we have gone through an obscene amount of THE fenders, mainly due to their lack of durability.
While the instructions are largely idiot-proof, the materials used in the manufacture of the fenders is frankly a joke for the price, and the mounting hardware had a Heath-Robinson feel which detracted from the fundamental function of the components.
The most non-functional product is the rear fender, and the biggest joke of them all were perhaps the 'DS' rear fenders, of which we purchased a number. They were equipped with Kalloy seat collars to grip the seattube. If you know seat collars, you will be aware that there is a lip for the collar to sit on the seattube. THE had not even bothered to machine this off. Plus, the hole in the fender which allowed the mounting to the seattube also allowed all the mud to come through.
All in all, utter, total crud - redeemed by only their visual styling (although let us face it, this is an important facet of selling a bike).
Once Mud Machine gains wide distribution and introduces more colour options, we will be moving wholesale to them - and saying good riddance to bad rubbish.