Velo Distractions

The Giant OCR2 is a very versatile bike, good for commuting, centuries, brevets, and whatever else makes sense at the moment. After putting on a new Brooks saddle and saddlebag, I became apprehensive about riding in the rain and on wet roads. Water and grime where getting thrown all over the brand new saddle and bag off of the back tire. Water is no friend to Brooks saddle, staying wet for too long will ruin it.

This article is an attempt to outfit the OCR2 with a full set of fenders. The installation is surprisingly easy, however when I researched the issue, there was a lot of conflicting opinions if this was even possible with Giant OCR bikes. The only way to truly know would be to try it myself. Below is a high level overview of how to do it, and yes it can be done very easily!

I have not been a fan of fenders, I always thought they made the bike look like a tank, and me a conservative old fart. This year I committed to the UMCA Year Rounder Challenge, plus another 5 brevets and possibly RAIN. In order to accomplish these rides, some wet weather riding will be on tap. In light of this, common sense prevailed and fenders got a closer look.

Planet Bike makes a set of Hardcore Road fenders that are fairly economical, and versatile, see below for picture and link. SKS also makes some nice fender sets, but I chose the PB ones on the grounds of price, availability, color match to the bike.

 

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7008.html

“Clip-on” fenders are fairly popular, but after trying a couple of pair, I found them to be inadequate in a number of situations. The full fenders had a better protection area and where better at keeping water and grime off of my feet and backside. They also looked more aesthetically pleasing, ( I never thought I would hear myself say that…)

Fender installation was simple and straight forward. You remove the front brake, adjust the fender struts, and attach the struts to the eyelets. You then reinstall the front brake with the fender bracket sandwiched between the brake bolt and spacer. Even working really slow, the front fender installation will take only 15 minutes, including adjustments.

 

 

My main concern was with the fender’s ability properly clear the front and rear brakes. “Eyeballing” it at the LBS, I figured it would be close with a 700×25c tire, 700×28c was a guess. Not having a set, it is impossible to say for sure, one I have a set, I will post the results.

 

 

The fender connects at two points, the fork eyelets and between the brakes and the frame, on the brake bolt. This is the samefor most full fender installations, and is done with the PB fenders using standard tools.

 

 

The rear fender connects in the same fashion as the front, with an additional connection to chain stay cross member. You may need to bend this clip to get it to shape properly to the cross member. It is also possible to install the fenders, and a rear rack, using the same single set of eyelets. To do this, you will need a larger bolt and a little bit of Loc-Tite. I have rode the bike in this configuration for a couple of hundred miles without the fenders or rack coming loose.

 

Here is a full shot of the bike with fenders and a rear rack installed.

 

Due to a jittery dollar, Giant will occasionally change their frames and/or components to keep bike prices steady. Due to this, your results may vary, if so I am interested in hearing about it.

Lessons learned:

• Do not rely on internet advice completely as to whether or not a modification is possible. If at all possible, do some homework and determine for yourself.
• After a few test rides on wet roads, I am pleased with the fender’s performance, but a little water still manages to spray onto my shoes. I am contemplating adding a homemade rubber flap that is a little longer.