I am having trouble finding fenders to fit my Litespeed Archon C1 frame. The frame is shaped at the seat tube with the wheel cut-out, so there is no room for a fender, and I cannot find a long rear fender that does not conflict with the frame.
Are there any long rear fenders that will fit this frame? Or do I have to modify/cut a fender? Anyone recommend a brand?
Thank you!
Don’t know much about fenders, I live where it doesn’t rain.
Maybe try a seat post style like MTB or even asssavers?
Thanks for the reply, but it is actually the frame that has the minimal clearance.
It rains here a ton! So fenders are required if you want to ride with others 
Guess I need another bike! A rain bike! But for now, I need to fix this issue. Maybe next year a rain bike is a good idea.
Search for Raceblade Longs. Not sure if it would completely fit on your rear wheel. It appears part of the fender would cover the wheel, just not the part next to the seat tube. But, it should definitely fit on your front wheel. I have these fenders on my Tarmac. It attaches to the brake mount. When you don’t want the fenders on, you just push a tab and the fenders slide out of the mount. Pretty cool set up.
About the rain bike, yes, get one! Where I live, it rains a lot, too. So, I have my Giant aluminum cross bike for the rain and snow, Tarmac for no rain days.
raceblade longs are a pain as they have to connect to your skewers so if you get a puncture it can be a pain to get them reset.
the normal raceblades will probably be better.
Do you race with fenders?
i agree with your idea of getting a beater bike to ride in the rain. some of the cross bikes have bosses for fenders, a touring bike like a Surly long haul trucker is nice too, but heavy. full fenders are great though
You can attach raceblade longs to the frame using P-clips.
That lovely bike is too nice to ride in the rain and crud. Time for a steel beater, methinks. Replicate the contact point geometry of the Litespeed and build something up as heavy, puncture-proof and solid as possible. Come the springtime, back on your Litespeed, and fly!
I have a Scott Foil an I use raceblades. I usually leave the front off but I have used it on my Guru Cron alu without a problem as they come with adapters.
** I agree with your idea of getting a beater bike to ride in the rain.**
Yes - Get an older aluminum or steel road bike or a newer cross bike. Full fenders will mount easily.
I lived and trained for 10 years in Vancouver BC. It rains a lot in the winter and many of us, roadies and triathletes had dedicated winter bikes with full fenders on them. In fact, you were not allowed on certain group rides unless you did have full fenders on!
** I agree with your idea of getting a beater bike to ride in the rain.**
Yes - Get an older aluminum or steel road bike or a newer cross bike. Full fenders will mount easily.
I lived and trained for 10 years in Vancouver BC. It rains a lot in the winter and many of us, roadies and triathletes had dedicated winter bikes with full fenders on them. In fact, you were not allowed on certain group rides unless you did have full fenders on!
Mine is the gold standard for tidy elegance
Raceblades for riding on your own and Raceblade Long for group rides.
Thanks everyone.
I picked up a pair of SKS Raceblade Longs today from a local shop. They have an optional piece of the fender between the backside of the break to the seat tube. I will not install that part.
I am curious, has anyone used the Crud Catcher Road Racers? They are pretty sweet looking, and appear to have the same piece as optionally installed, but wonder if they are as flexible with installing on different types of frames because the arms look like they do not adjust.
Anyone have experience with these?
Raceblade longs do an acceptable job. Clearances are really tight all around with the fenders, and you are limited to 23mm tires.
Normal raceblades do NOT do an acceptable job. They are fenders for you. They are not fenders for your friends/buddies/teammates/future worst enemies if you use these. They will also carve up the paint on your frame, even if you are dilligent with tape wrap, etc.
I also live in the PNW and a dedicated rain bike is the only way to be happy. I have done it with a road frame (Allez) but for the last year + I have been using a well used CX frame. No fender bosses, but with P-clips and a handful of zip ties I have an extra wide set of no-fuss fenders that don’t break, don’t come misaligned, don’t rub, don’t require much special MacGuyvering, and will accommodate 28mm or wider tires. A CX bike with disc or V brakes will also let you run a full coverage fender in one piece without having to hack it up and use special mounting brackets, etc.
Riding in the rain chews up bearings, brake pads, chains, cables, rims, hubs, everything. It is far worth it to have a dedicated lower spec bike to take the abuse during the heavy weather. For the year or two when I stuffed fenders onto a more racy bike they worked ok but I was constantly having to stop and adjust them or deal with rubbing or pieces that break from vibration.
Thanks!
Yeah, I need to get a road bike for next season. I am saving for a new wheel set right now…priorities.
I do think it would be cool to build it myself though. It could be an aluminum frame and used components. I have never done that before, but bet I could figure it out.
Thanks for the feedback.
I managed to find a well used carbon CX frame - between parts I already had and good deals from friends (and ST!), I came out with a complete bike for under 1k, self built. It can be done.
The distance between the downtube and front wheel looks to be* way* too close. You’ll have to run a 23, max–and have it perfectly adjusted to stop it from either rubbing or hitting the downtube. I’ve managed fenders on my race bike just fine, but I don’t think they’re gonna work that well on that bike. I’d pick up a cheap steel frame and cobble something together on the cheap, downtube shifters. If you can find a 27" wheel bike even better–just stick in some 700C wheels and long reach calipers–massive clearance! You could probably do it for less than $400.
Got the SKS Raceblade longs on! Thanks everyone!!!
Rainbike–yes, that would be nice. Looking into it for next year perhaps. It can’t be too heavy though–there are a ton of hills around here. I am thinking a used Specialized Roubaix or something like that. Need new wheelset and powertap first!
My list is long… One thing at a time!
** I agree with your idea of getting a beater bike to ride in the rain.**
Yes - Get an older aluminum or steel road bike or a newer cross bike. Full fenders will mount easily.
I lived and trained for 10 years in Vancouver BC. It rains a lot in the winter and many of us, roadies and triathletes had dedicated winter bikes with full fenders on them. In fact, you were not allowed on certain group rides unless you did have full fenders on!
Mine is the gold standard for tidy elegance
Is that a modified milk jug fender? So boss.
Fact: Riding this beast in the winter makes you both a hard man and also a springtime beast.
yes, the water was coming around the side of the fenders and getting my feet wet on the downhill so i added the milk jug. Fenders should come with those from the factory. note on the back one i added an extra mudflap made of wall cove to keep my chums dry in the shit. and it worked
