Why don't bicycles have fenders anymore?

Question

It rained today and my brother decided to take a bike ride, but we remembered the water would splash up and get his back all wet. My parents said when they were kids bicycles had fenders that would prevent water from splashing up.

Why do the bikes we kids/teenagers use today not have fenders? Because it just doesn't fit with the 'mountain bike' style?

Answer 1

Well i have a mud guard on the rear wheel of my bike and it is a stylish one not unfashionable. you can get them for front and back wheels too. you can get the old style fenders too. all these products you can get from halfords.

Answer 2

Fenders are now listed as an accessory.  It brings in more money to the people selling the bikes.

Answer 3

some comfort and commuter bikes do come with fenders. you can also get clip on fenders at your LBS, or any number of places on-line. fenders are one of those accessories that often come or go as a dictate of fashion vs. function. most racing bikes don't have them because of weight and aerodynamics. except on downhill MTBs where they come in handy, keeping mud and grime out of your face.

Answer 4

The reason is two fold, first few ride in the rain, second the manufactures know that you will spent the same amount of money on a non-fender bike and they still can charge the same price.

Answer 5

You can find fenders at places like www.nashbar.com and www.performancebike.com.  I put a pair of SKS fenders on my commuter for about $25.  Light, cheap, and work great.  Took about 30 minutes to put them on but it was well worth it.

Answer 6

Back in the day, I hated fenders because they inevitably rattled and got in the way after a few rides.   Eventually I took them off.

With my sweat rate, my back is wet inside 10 miles on sunny days anyway.  What's the big deal.  If you want fenders, you can get nice plastic ones.      

Sorry, I like the way things are now.   You can get way more bike for less money than when I was young.

Answer 7

Fenders only help you when you are riding in the rain (and then, not a whole lot since you are going to get wet no matter what in the rain), and most people who ride bikes don't ride in the rain.   And since fenders add weight and don't look cool, bike manufacturers leave them off.  But if you are a bicycle commuter, they are very useful when you are ambushed by a puddle.