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T.H.E.
( Toby Henderson Enterprises) Front and Rear Fenders
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Submitted by
jaco
a Cross Country Rider
from costa rica
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | el filo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | universalcycles | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | HH | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ren Desa
a Cross Country Rider
from Camp Humphreys, Korea
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$9.00 | | Purchased At: | abaxo @ Ebay | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam G
a Downhiller
from Benalla
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Eildon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | vicmtb | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | gravity
air | | Bike Setup: | RM Grind | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Mullan
a Weekend Warrior
from Tacoma, Wa. Usa
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Titlow | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Old Town And Rainier | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | zefal | | Bike Setup: | 2003 hardrock pro w/ disc. all stock except a mavic 219 front rim and an easton ea30 handlebar | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ace Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Paducah
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Most | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Wood-N-Wave | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Crud-catchers | | Bike Setup: | SC Blur with all XT, Marz Marathon SL, Mavic CrossMax SL. WTB tires, etc | | 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? | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C K
a Downhiller
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Rear fender moded for front | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Hardrock Pro Disc with a few mods. | | Bottom Line: | I would pay NO MORE than $10, and that is still questionable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sasanka K
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft collins, co. From Australia
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | zoom wp | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | any other fender. | | Bike Setup: | khs. fxt rage 2002 full suspension | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fry Shaffer
a Downhiller
from Bellingham, WA, U.S.
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 911 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint.com | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | none. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
runtcat
a Weekend Warrior
from warren N.J usa
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria outfitters | | Strengths: | look good | | Weaknesses: | mounting hardware is a joke,pretty cheesy material, basicly everything!!! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2001 haro ex2, aheadset, wtb speeddisc rims, wtb motoraptors ,rock shox judy sl | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eelpie
a Cross Country Rider
from virginia
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | avalon-patapsco, gambril | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$17.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Looks, functionality. | | Weaknesses: | Durability, design, MSRP. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | 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 | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, CANADA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fish Creek Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | The Cyclepath | | 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! | | Similar Products Used: | CCM crap fenders, other than that, nothing! | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 860, Deore cranks, THE fenders, Specialized spedometer | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from ohio
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | eddys bike shop | | Strengths: | cool asthetics
| | Weaknesses: | I CAN"T MOUNT THEM | | Similar Products Used: | nada | | Bike Setup: | trek 8500, with hayes disks, judy fork, shimano componenets and these pices of wang | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
H Sato
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Looks | | Weaknesses: | Everything else | | Similar Products Used: | Most | | Bike Setup: | Various | | 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.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Ct
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the ones with out horse shi* | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | I used the front fender, xc. The plasic mold of the fender is good, does the job, keeps stuff out of my face. | | Weaknesses: | The metal mounts for the fender to attach to bend and bend easy. I use disc's and i'm not sure if any one else had this problem but the cable rubs like crazy on the fender and even on this slot that i guess was designed for the cable, the soft fuzzy part of velcro stopped this for the most part. Also on bigger hits the rear peice of the fender hits the tire, whats up with that? Very annoying. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized fenders (prety much garbage, like most house specialized components) | | Bike Setup: | ds1, zokes z1 mcr, full xt, hayes, rynolites, | | Bottom Line: | Kind of pricy for a fender. The fender hitting the tire is becoming a problem, i may have to bend the metal mounting plate some more, i just hope it doesn't break. I wonder what this thing would look like on a cross bike? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blacky
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tilden Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | isomedia.com | | Strengths: | Stops water, mud and rocks. Lightweight. Looks great. | | Weaknesses: | Stock Velcro mounts inadequate. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | I found the reviews confusing enough I wonder in some cases if we're talking about the same product. Mine is black (Halloween mask) plastic, that wraps around the head tube and is secured to the bottom of the downtube with two tiny pieces of Velcro. It was ridiculously easy to mount, and on my first ride was after a heavy rain and it completely controlled the spray from my front tire, but rattled and wobbled around so much I thought it would fall off. The next day I bought $1.99 worth of Velcro tape (14"), cut and trimmed it to fit so the entire length of the contact area is Velcro. Voila. The next ride it was totally secure, including a 40 mph descent. I like it. BTW, instead of a rear fender I'm using a Headland composite Speedrack. It has a pullout section in the back that extends another 9" over your rear tire, functioning, quite effectively, as a rear fender, but one that will carry 20 lb. of stuff under its integrated bungees. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Stif, UK | | Strengths: | Looks good | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't fit my bike, too flimsy, cost | | Similar Products Used: | Crud Catcher | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight, Z2 BAM | | Bottom Line: | Don't listen to ANYTHING NEGITIVE the last guy said. Well I suppose you'd better not listen to me then! THE Frame Fender does not fit my SC Superlight with Z2 BAM forks - the downtube part of the fender catches the top of the fork legs SO BADLY that it's laughable - not even close!
I wanted a fender to catch extra crud than my trusty Crud Catcher but this is not the answer. I will try THE's XC Ultralite fender instead but I'm not holding my breath.
So check before you hand over your money (and it is a LOT of money) that the thing will fit your bike - I was dumb enough to think that I had a fairly normal setup and that THE would design their products to fit...
Ratings are from my experience - would be better if it had fitted! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Weekend Warrior
from Madbury N.H.
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kingman farm | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | All these negitive comments are from people with waky bike designs I ordered one of these havent got it yet but I think it will work just fine. DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYTHING NEGITIVE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | victor falls | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | looks good,protects from mud and rocks | | Weaknesses: | kinda expensive for some plastic | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | K2 Zed 2.0 | | Bottom Line: | if u do alot of muddy riding it is useful | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tino
a Weekend Warrior
from Roxbury, CT
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything sick and steep | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | thebikeshop.com | | Strengths: | does a great job of blocking mud and rocks, looks cool, color options, the perfect way to get the "freeride" look. | | Weaknesses: | flimsy, kinda gets in the way of front brake cable, flops around too much when my rig takes big hits, $35 for a piece of plastic? Come on T.H.E. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing | | Bike Setup: | '01 Rocky Mountain Pipeline - Marzocchi Z3 Long Travel (5"), Hayes Hydro discs, Rhyno Lite wheels, Fox Vanilla R (6"), Easton Monkey Lite bar, XT/LX/SRAM, Race Face stuff | | Bottom Line: | Serves its purpose very well but it could be a little more solid. Not the type of thing I would buy aftermarket, but since it came on my bike, its a cool little accessory. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything downhill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | local Shop | | Strengths: | Looks sweet....Blocks some mud | | Weaknesses: | (Can't say much because I am sponsered by T.H.E) Weak... | | Similar Products Used: | Brodie fenders | | Bike Setup: | Intense M-1, T.H.E fork, T.H.E disk brake covers, T.H.E rear fender, T.H.E Pinch flat resistant rims And just about everything else T.H.E makes. | | Bottom Line: | A bit weak (On my 15th front fender). Dosn't block mud like it should, but overall it is a good fender and recomend it. I put a few clamp things on so it dosn't hit my tire when my fork is close to the bottom. Looks sweet. My bike looks like a Moto-cross Bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RockyMountainRider06@hotmail.com
a Weekend Warrior
from N/A
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Single Track and Dropoffs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Olympia Cycle and Ski Prince George | | Strengths: | Looks cool, catches mud, gravel and in some cases sticks, light weight, great selection of styles and colors,
tough | | Weaknesses: | Brake cable needs to be tied back if you ride a DH fender with rim brakes, not sure about disk brakes( my friend broke his DH fender on his brake cable, he changed to an XC and the problem dissapered) DH fender doesn't work well if you have short travel forks( makes contact with brake cable, but contrary to what lots of people are saying it doesn't hit the wheel when the forks are compressed, Price( too expensive) | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing | | Bike Setup: | 99 RM Vapor with Bomber Z1 dropoffs | | Bottom Line: | I can't stand riding without a fender anymore. Mud in my eyes has more than once has either caused me to crash or come damn close to it. With THE's DH fender i don't have to worry about temporarley being blinded and fliping over the bars anymore. Great Product. If you live in a place with unpredictable weather or just want to make yuor ride look better, consider buying one of these | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffrey Atkins
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Martin Goodman | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | I'm crashin thru lookin for a set of rain fenders for a Spice.
Rocky mountain website aint got 'em.
Did a google on fenders... got this inlet. | | Bottom Line: | I'm in Toronto and need a refferal to a seller of rain fenders and tires for a rocky mountain spice. Will likely need 'em for the upcoming Becel 50K. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Side Berns
a Downhiller
from usa
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any thing thats will get me airborn | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | it looks cool | | Weaknesses: | alot! when I go off any kind of drop over 4 feet it smaks my front tire and its quit loud. and it keeps me from doing X-ups! and the mounting braket is to weak and it doesn't bend back when you bend it because its aluminum. It makes it hard to see the front tire hard to ride on logs. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | a specailized P# with all the goodies | | Bottom Line: | dont get this fender it makes a hell of alot of noise (not good for urban riding when your trying to keep a low profile so you dont get kicked out of your favorite spot) its pretty weak, and when you get it you realiz that you dont get much mud in your face any way. if you must have a fender get the MRP jobe its a hell of alot better | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gt Lover
a Weekend Warrior
from Baraboo
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | kettle morain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$24.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | sweet looking very durable comparable to headland toughness | | Weaknesses: | week mounting setup headlands is much better | | Similar Products Used: | headland | | Bike Setup: | gt zascar le xt groupo | | Bottom Line: | great looking tuff fender week mount | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
"Fast Bacon" Mojo
a Weekend Warrior
from Whistler, BC
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ...anywhere gnarly! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Came stock on last 2 bikes | | Strengths: | Great durability, non-creasing polymer, super light, easily mounted, effective in eliminating spray. | | Weaknesses: | Not too reliable mounting piece (strips easily upon fender getting twisted - new rubber spreaders are way better); DAMN expensive for a plastic thingy!! Good for wide open blazing, total nuisance when doing bridges, logs and technical descents....or anything technical for that matter. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Was an RM6 slightly tweaked, now a fully customized RM7. | | Bottom Line: | Sure, these are a great idea.... But I think they're kind of a one-hit wonder. The timing that they became available was perfect as far as marketing goes - bikes were beginning to look more and more like motocross rigs without the motor. High end rides came came with them, so they must be good, right? Sure, in the right conditions they're dandy - but now that I've ridden A LOT with one, I found that I still get muddy no matter what - dog sh!t is always going to be the "hidden variable" and ya hit it with your bike, you'll have it on your back...thems the breaks.
But I realized something that more and more people are realizing - dude - these things are wider than my front tire - and I can't see what my rubber is doing when I need to! Riding super narrow logs and bridges, my balance is constantly thrown off by leaning to one side to see what my tire is doing....this inevitabley causes me to lose balance and smoke it. I finally removed my fender and man, what an AMAZING difference it was - I could see again!!! No more hesitation with the high-narrows, it was like getting reading glasses for the first time!! What about spray?? Well, most of the bunk just gets blasted onto my downtube, or cockpit controls - mud on the face is nothing scarier than smoking a 15 foot high bridge because you looked "out the side view" to see what was happening with your lil'buddy!
For wide open, fast terrain, sure, they're nice. But as far as all around free-riding (whatever the hell that means), the THE fender is in my estimation, going to be wrapping up a former, financially successfull era based solely on fashion, not so much function. Hey, I was like the rest of ya at one time...but I realized through true use, that these are a hinderence, not an asset!
PS - if anyone wants to buy a brand new THE fender, black, I'll sell ya one super cheap!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | +Really cool looking
+Keeps your face mud-free
+Very tough | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | '98 Schwinn Homegrown 4Banger the works Judy XL Rox super D | | Bottom Line: | My friend describes this products uses in one word "crap"
The day that I got my red T.H.E. fender (front) in the mail I put it on my bike and went riding. After a while I noticed a strange smell, sure enough a large wad of dog stuff had attached itself to my tires and was progessivly flinging itself into the fender at an angle that surly would have landed right in my mouth. Need I say more?
-Note: I have read reviews stating that the T.H.E. fenders are flimsy, not to be putting down those people but they have obviously never owned one, for this I have proof of there incredible durability, firstly you can bend them back onto themselfs and note crease them. Secondly, at my local bike park I was jumping and on a rather large and steep jump I forgot that you need to lock your rear wheel. As you can imagine I landed about vertical, face down and went over the bars, fender hitting full force into the ground, examining the damage I was glad to see that unlike myself the fender was seemingly untouched. NO QUESTION it is very durable and worth every cent. They also come in tons of colors. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a Weekend Warrior
from Grande Prairie, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | Flexability, and keeps $hit from flying in your face, durable, lightweight(dont give a flying rats as$ though) | | Weaknesses: | Costs an arm and a leg for a hunk of plastic.....however you get what you pay.(price above is Canadian) | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XCR 2000 custom...Blah Blah Blah | | Bottom Line: | This fender can take one hell of a beating and keep on ticking(not to say i get in a lot of accidents)
Just recently purchased the rear fender, and to be honest I dont like it much. Mounting it under the seat seems to be the only proper way to use it(I use a make-shift attachment to put it on the seatpost)because I use an under seatpouch thingy.
The front fender is highly recommendable(converts bike into a motorbike...kinda)
Not to sure of the rear fender, it would have to be manufactured a little bit longer, in the position it is on my bike.
Once you see the price tag for this fender youll instantly turn your head to something cheaper, but think of it, you have a $2000+ bike, 60 bucks wouldnt hurt at all. These things highlight your bike, and leave people oogling all over it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AC
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Surprisingly strong, especially considering the feather light weight | | Weaknesses: | Mounting bracket "rumbles" when used up against a Race Face headset crown race. No problem with an FSA race (?) | | Bike Setup: | Fat trailbike | | Bottom Line: | Boy, this product varies in its reviews like no other. It is made of some kind of high tech polycarbonate, so it is remarkably light and strong. It is not bombproof, but I've crashed about 25 times in the last year and, although I've bent the center metal bracket more than once, I've always been able to bend it back into shape. It does a good job of keeping trail debris out of your face, which I consider essential when I ride our multi-use trails out here. Both dogs and horses leave doo doo right in the middle of the singletrack, and I'd just as soon not have globs of doo doo flung up into my face, or onto the mouthpiece of my water bag. During the wet weather out here, I use the rear model by bolting it to a reflector bracket that came with my bike, so I can mount it to the seat tube instead of the seat itself, and it does a creditable job of keeping me and my toolbag clean, even when fording streams. I'd say that these items are unnecessary for urban trials riders, crazed Canuck house jumpers, or weight weenies who gag at the notion of adding 100 grams of weight to their bikes. Otherwise, if your troubled by trail debris you might give these a try. I was skeptical at first, now I won't ride without them. They are a tad expensive, but I wouln't want them any weaker or heavier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kiaran Ritchie
a Weekend Warrior
from Rocky Mountain House, AB
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Baseline Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Rocky Bike n Board | | Strengths: | Listen up, don't listen to all these negative reviews. These fenders do what they are supposed to and they do it well. People are complaining about how flimsy and cheap feeling they are. 'feel like a holloween mask' they say. I dare you to bend a holloween mask until its back to touching itself. This material really is amazing. You can bend it around like a piece of string and it will snap back to its original shape without any shape memory loss. I nailed a tree once with this thing and it bent all up and touched my frame, I promptly picked my sore ass up and the fender bounced back into place! Oh, did I mention they stop mud?
| | Weaknesses: | Price. Price. Price. Holy sh*% are these things pricey. But considering the other fenders on the market there really is no competition. THE rules. | | Similar Products Used: | Those fenders with the black wolf on them? can't remember the name cause I think they stayed on my bike for about a mile then I ripped em off. Also have used eyelids/hand neither of which I will recomend to anyone that wishes to stay alive at high speeds. | | Bike Setup: | DH with full THE fender system. | | Bottom Line: | If you are battling the mud, get front fenders. If you are ALWAYS battling the mud, get both front and back. If you don't have a problem with mud (ex: moab riders) don't even look at these. Don't believe the negativity, they work well and keep you looking at the trail, instead of picking mud out of your eye. Also works for tires that like to pick up little rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from TN
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | many | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Keeps mud off of you | | Weaknesses: | What the fuk is up with the price!? They don't look too stong at all | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Jamis dragon. custom build | | Bottom Line: | The guy who said they look like the plastic from a haloween mask is exactly right. In a magazine they may lok real "moto" but in real life they have the thickness of a sheet of paper...literally. I have had Big Gulps with thicker walls in the cup. The front fender does its job OK, but if youre going fast enough, larger pieces of gravel can still get thrown up into your body.
They are light as anything, thanks to the aluminum clamp and skimpy plastic. I almost never ride in mud, but I bought one from a friend for 15 bucks. "wow,half off" I thought. Sure, but these really only cost about 2 bucks to manufacture. no joke. The guys at the LBS can't sell them cause kids come in, touch them, realize they aren't as cool as they thought they were. Sure theyre a fad, but holy crap man! 50 dollar retail for something so cheap!? Even those crappy walmart mongooses are specing them OEM if thats any sign. I give them 3 and a half cuz they do work like a fender, but -5 chilies for value cuz its SO FRIKKIN CHEAP!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shawn mcmillan
a Weekend Warrior
from sidney bc CANADA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | to many | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | russ hays bikes shop in sidney bc | | Strengths: | i think this product rulz
i have the clear xc ultra light one and it rocks cus
u can still c your tire through it i looks cool and it protects your face
and the great watenty | | Weaknesses: | the moto ones look dumb
and i have also ripped my orange one
but i got a free one cus of warenty | | Similar Products Used: | none the reast all suck | | Bike Setup: | 2000 kona stuff with 2001 jr.t and uprgrade tires and rear hub and stem | | Bottom Line: | sweet
sweet
sweet | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff
a Weekend Warrior
from or
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | mt hood downhilll | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | None compared to how they could have made them. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap(as in made cheap)
Really Overpriced for what they are | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit - Downhill/Urban Assult setup | | Bottom Line: | These fenders Must have benn made by a total idoit. They suck big time. I bought them in a pair and both will not fit my bike out of the box. I need to go to a hardware store and spend even more money to get these way over priced things to work.
The craftsmanship of these fenders resembles a second grade shop class mixed with a $1.99 drug store plastic halloween mask. Theres a metal plate that is used in the rear fender and they didnt even drill the same size threads into them!!!!!! one bolt will fit and the other just slides through, I have no idea how they could get the sizes mixed up on these things! I wish i could give these 0 flamin' chilies. Now i get to go waste my time looking for parts and ways to mount these things when i could be out having fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
N
a Downhiller
from NY
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Allows one to ride with an unobscured view and without sucking in chunks of mud. | | Weaknesses: | Can be difficult to mount on certain frames and forx. Early models flapped noisily. | | Bike Setup: | BMW TMX | | Bottom Line: | I was very suprised at the overwhelmingly negative response to this product, then I realized that most people where usong the fender for XC applications. Since I do not ride XC I cannot comment on the product in that capacity but for DH, especially east coast autumn DH, I find the THE front fender indispensable.
Even wearing goggles I still have a hard time seeing through all the mud and water that flies up off my front Gazzolodi. With the THE fender I can ride without goggles or glasses and see where I am going.
I hate not riding w/o fenders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE WAGGS
a Weekend Warrior
from STOON, SASK, CANADA
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | THE STUBBY BONER | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | DOUG'S SPOKE "N" SPORT | | Strengths: | +LOOKS COOL
+FEELS LIKE U R RIDING A MOTOR CROSS BIKE
+THE IS GOOD ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT DAMAGE | | Weaknesses: | -IT SNAPS REALLY EASY
-MADE OF THE LITEST PLASTIC I HAVE EVER SEEN
-THE PRICE | | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | DS/ TRAILS,MAGURA RIM BRAKES, FLAT PADDLES, RHYNO LITE RIMS,ETC | | Bottom Line: | IF LOOKS COULD KILL THIS WOULD BE THE BOMB BUT THEY DONT'T AND I HAVE A BROKEN FENDER FOR THE 3rd TIME | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ripped
a
from Troy, NY USA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | i guess it looks nice | | Weaknesses: | takes away about 2" of travel | | Bike Setup: | 2000 trek vrx 200 | | Bottom Line: | piece of garbage; never again will i buy something just because it looks cool. don't sacrifice looks for performance unless you plan on riding around on the street for the rest of your life. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James McCallum
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | technical single track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Lawrie Dawe Cycles | | Strengths: | Stops mud, looks good, cheaper than a decent pair of glasses to prevent crap-in-the-eye syndrome(In NZ anyway) | | Weaknesses: | Single piece(have to take off the shock to put on/take off the bike. How usless is that)
Rubs on tire due to poor fit | | Similar Products Used: | Close eyes | | Bike Setup: | Giant Xtc Ds2, Hope Hydros, THE Fender, XT Derailiers | | Bottom Line: | Work to stop mud but had to take to them with a hacksaw, file and sandpaper to make them fit and look decent, wont buy a single piece again but if this one breaks or needs replaced then will replace with a two-piece.
Im sure at NZ$90 someone is laughing all the way to the bank. Com'on its a piece of plastic!! Could be cheaper!!!
2 for value coz it works, but I could have brought plenty of other things with $90
Overall I would have given it 5 but coz I had to modify it myself I'd giv it 3 but it still looks good and stops me crashing coz I cant see so 4 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carl
a Weekend Warrior
from havelock nc
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | there are no trails here | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | it looks really good. this would be a great product if I used my bike like Jerry Senfield and just hung it on a wall | | Weaknesses: | hmmmm where to start. It makes too much noise, bottoms out against my tires (thanks to a too plush manitou sxe) It has a really nice crease from a wipe out but thats my fault | | Similar Products Used: | i used to just close my eyes while riding trough mud | | Bike Setup: | fisher joshua f3 | | Bottom Line: | this product sucks luckily the bike shop put it on for me so i didnt experience any gripes with installation but taking it off was a breeze ! for something that looks so good how can it perform soooooo poorly | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from Quebec
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Sure, the look!....and miracle, no mud in the face!!! | | Weaknesses: | the #$*(%&?_)$?@#% installation
EXPENSIVE!!! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '99 Trek 6500 ZX, XT,LX,STX-RC and more... | | Bottom Line: | First my brother bought one. Very easy to install on a Giant AXT860, we just built the fender and put it at is place (we just have to change the starnut). I decided to put one on my Trek. DOH! The arch of Judy C was always blocking the fender; I had to curve the bracket to fit it without touching anything (don't laugh if you see mine...), drill new hole....., a bit difficult if you don't like manual work!
I think this bracket is too large (but it's very difficult to build a product for all type of bikes). Now it's working well and i hope it will last a long time. And the customer service is really good! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Duffany
a Cross Country Rider
from Woburn, MA 01801
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods Bow Ridge trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks | | Weaknesses: | Worst manufactured part I've ever purchased for anything in 23 yrs of off road riding and racing. I purchased the rear fender to keep the muck off my butt. Before I could test it I had to install it...before I could install it, I had to REMACHINE both top and bottom spacer plates as the clearance holes were neither the right diameter and not in alignment with the threaded backing plate. Oh, did I mention that I had to CUT NEW THREADS in the backing plate?
I think I got screwed worse than anyone else writing reviews on this product...I paid $50 bucks for mine!!
| | Similar Products Used: | Cardboard w/zip ties | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V, XTR, 3 inch manitou w/speed springs
| | Bottom Line: | Don't buy it...they SUCK unless you have your own machine shop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marko
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Epping Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Front - Looks way cool and works fantastically
Rear - None | | Weaknesses: | Front - Noisy
Rear - Doesn't work | | Similar Products Used: | Crud Catcher and race guard | | Bike Setup: | Orange Sub 5, Manitou X Vert Super, Hope XC4, ESP 9.0 etc | | Bottom Line: | The front fender is brilliant, the rear not worth fitting to your bike unless it is dry out their. The effort required (and you need an imperical hex key) to fit the rear fender is not worth the outlay in £. Rear fender returned to the bike shop and they now refuse to stovk it as the suppliers say it should be used in extreme conditions. Don't waste your money on the rear fender.
5/5 for front
0/5 for rear | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew C
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver B.C. Canada (North Shore)
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | he he he none trail blazer | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | it is sooooo fukin durable i got stuk in a tree and the fender got bent aroud a branch and it did not break all i had to do wuz make it straight on the bike and then i continued rideing it is the sweetest ride | | Weaknesses: | ummmm WHAT WEAKNESSES they are as durable as a tank so to speak | | Similar Products Used: | ummmmmm my hand | | Bike Setup: | production rm9 by rocky mountain | | Bottom Line: | it is the sweetest thing for the riding that i do | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from CA.
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Joplin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Kept some dirt out of my face. | | Weaknesses: | Okay I bought the frame fender (to fit my Cannondale with a headshok) from the T.H.E. booth at Sea Otter and they offered to install it for me at no extra charge,so I thought that was cool. I rode it once(at Sea Otther) and then came home and a day or two later and removed the fender to find out that it scratched up the paint on the headtube of my brand new bike. I was in no way informed of this by anyone at T.H.E. at the time of purchase. I have sent a couple of e-mails to T.H.E. and have got nothing.
So unless you are riding in real muddy conditions or just like to have other people scratch your bike up(I would rather do it myself personaly), or just have some infatuation with the idea that you schwinn is a suzuki this product is not for you. | | Similar Products Used: | Good pair of oakleys | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Thanks but no thanks,If I wanted to ride something with a fender,I would get a KX125.(at least they got the green right) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
seth Enslow
a Downhiller
from Spokane, WA ,U.S. of A
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | roller coaster in spokane, secret | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good looks; I guess I fell for the look of these fenders. | | Weaknesses: | I could not wait to review these damn fenders after all the crap I have had to endure. I had to buy a longer allen bolt to reach the end of the steer tube. Then after my first big jump I found out that one size does not fit all. The dual star nut is too small for my steer tube and it got knocked loose. That is just the front. When I recived the back I was already pissed, now the back hardware was machined all wrong, the bolt holes didn't match up with the holes on the aluminium clamp, or the plastic spacer of which only one arrived(you're supposed to have two) so the bolts nearly stripped the aluminium threads. Now all I have is the back fender for now. Is this the best they could think of? | | Similar Products Used: | nothing | | Bike Setup: | Giant Warp Ds-2, SRAM, and every Lizard skin product available. | | Bottom Line: | I have the downhill front and rear.
Weight? What weight? It's just plastic and some aluminium.
There really isn't much out there for selection, maybe I should have tried some thing else. Makes me wonder if I could do better!
This flamin chili burns your pocket book.
I give 2 flamin chilis for looks only. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tommy
a Weekend Warrior
from woodside, nyc
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | looks nice | | Weaknesses: | $40 for a piece of plastic | | Similar Products Used: | front xc & rear dh | | Bike Setup: | schwinn homegrown, spins, judy 100 | | Bottom Line: | It kinda does the job of stoping sh*t from flying at you. Makes most bikes look better, but the rear looks kinda funny at first, but you get use to how it looks on the bike. cost too much for lexan and some screws | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
t isaacs
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | teocalli ridge-Crested Butte | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | ease of installation, light weight, unequaled sleek look | | Weaknesses: | frame fender is about an inch short of ideal length, fork crown will contact and push fender out of alignment under tight turning, durability? (thin construction) | | Similar Products Used: | Mud Machine Rear Fender (www.sexmacheen.com) | | Bike Setup: | 98' Trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | I am concerned about the longevity of THE's frame fender. The fender can be described as the salad tray from McDonalds. Incredibly thin, not nearly as durable as the rear fender I purchased from www.sexmacheen.com. Lenghty delay in receiving the item. Two phone call separated by two weeks resulted in the same answer, "it was shipped yesterday". Length could be about an inch longer and it could be designed better so as to create minimal contact with fork crown. I am concerned that it will only take one accident or endo to break it. Expense for what it is. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
911 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
cool looks,works well | | Weaknesses: |
price! | | Bike Setup: |
Z4 forks | | Bottom Line: | THE front fender works well and it looks cool.
easy to install. Needs to come down in price
$39.00 is to much.-1 star for price! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Southampton
Date Reviewed: September 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Lordswood | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Looks damn cool, flexy..
they work! | | Weaknesses: |
umm, none really...bit heavy I guess
but whoever uses these isn't gonna care
..bit of a fiddle to fit as well. | | Similar Products Used: |
Crud catcher/guard | | Bike Setup: |
DH | | Bottom Line: | They kick ass! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BeastMaster
a Racer
from Mills River, NC
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Little Hickory (Bent Creek) | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Large coverage area to catch most of the mud that would otherwise smack you in the face. You have 9 colors to choose from. | | Weaknesses: |
Adds some weight to your bike. Also the dual star-nut used to hold the bracket to the steerer tube was a pain to get in. | | Similar Products Used: |
None are available, or similar as of this posting... | | Bike Setup: |
ProFlex Beast, full downhill racing set-up. Magura hydraulic brakes, Girvin Chubby forks w/ 5 travel. Noleen shock w/4 travel in rear. LOOK clipless pedals. I could go on , but I won't bore you .... | | Bottom Line: | I think the world of these products so far. They are made of light-weight material, but the bracket is kinda heavy, as it probably has to be. The price is sort of high right now, but after all, these things are hottest fad in California right now, and it's spreading Eastward ! | | Overall Rating: |
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