Inside Look: SKS Fatboard fat bike fender
Editor’s Note: This content is courtesy of SKS and was written by Brian Mullin. It is not an independent review by Mtbr. The original post can be read here.
The two piece SKS Fatboard fender set is the ultimate set of mud guards for fat bike tires, offering all round mud and debris protection. The front fender mounts on the bike’s downtube utilizing their power strap system, which has enough adjustment to fit any sized tube, whether it’s round or irregular. The rear mounts on the seatpost using their adjustable QR clamp system. The rear fender has two separate hinge arms, allowing for maximum adjustability for the geometry of any bike. The fenders are made of reinforced plastic and are 5.5″ wide and 19″ long. They retail for $55.
Features
The front and rear fenders use the same exact main body and the only difference between them are the integrated attachment pieces. The front has two adjustable Velcro closure straps that wrap around the bike’s downtube along with rubberized v-grooved stabilizers to hold the fender firmly in place and not damage the frame.
The rear’s QR clamp system attaches directly to the seatpost and utilizes an adjustable length of sticky nylon webbing that wraps around the post, and clamps shut with a rocker clasp. Like the front, it uses a rubberized stabilizer to hold the fender firmly in place. For angling the fender into position it utilizes two separate pivoting sections. It pivots right behind the QR clamp and another one where the hinge arm attaches to the main body of the fender and both of these points offer maximum adjustability for the geometry of any bike.
Easy to install and plenty of adjustability makes these fenders a great solution for fat bikes — and anyone who’s looking for the ultimate in mud splatter protection.
Impressions
Installing the rear fender was relatively easy, just adjust the strap’s length until the QR clamps down snugly onto the seatpost without any unnecessary movement from the fender. You’ll need to adjust the angle of the fender depending on the requirements of the frame geometry and suspension travel constraints, which requires loosening the bolts in the either pivot locations, and tilting the fender to its desired pitch. The front fender was simple to install, just position the fender in place, wrap the Velcro straps around downtube, snug the straps down and push the excess tail between the fender and downtube.
I found that when I tossed a leg over the bike, I tended to hit the rear fender, and it would get knocked out of place, so I have to train myself with more agility when mounting the bike, or perhaps I need to do more yoga? The ultra-wide 5.5″ fenders offered maximum protection from snow and mud being tossed on me and the bike. I significantly noticed the difference in the coverage from the front fender, even when the tires get loaded up with mud, and I got a sudden burst of speed, I didn’t get plastered with debris when the tires let loose.
To install the front fender, just position the fender in place, wrap the Velcro straps around downtube, snug the straps down and push the excess tail between the fender and downtube.
Conclusion
The SKS Fatboard fenders were easy to install and offered lot’s of adjustability, and I was impressed with their stability, especially on the front. The massively wide fenders offered exceptional coverage and prevented unwanted debris from flinging up, even on my long travel bikes. I enjoyed not having mud tossed up onto my back and body and face, and it worked nicely with my 2.6″ tires in the rear and 3.5″ in the front, and will work for anything from plus sized tires to 5″ fatties. The Fatboard fender set weighs 350 grams.
Key Specs
- Ultimate mud guards for fat tires up to 5”
- Front mounts easily under the downtube with high-performance straps
- Rear fits to the seatpost with SKS’ proven quick-release strap system
- Dual adjustment arm puts rear fender right where you want it
- 353 grams – length 480mm x width 130mm, front & rear
- Made in Germany
- MSRP $55
For more info visit www.sks-germany.com.
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