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review

Wit Industries Fendor-Bendor 3 mudguard

8
£12.20

VERDICT:

8
10
Light, simple, effective, foldable rear mudguard
Weight: 
64g
Contact: 
www.witindustries.nl

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The Wit Industries Fendor Bendor 3 is a simple, light solution to the winter wet bum blues.

Unless you like a really mucky bottom, you just can't ride in the winter without a mudguard, regardless of how ugly and out of place they look on a road bike. Most road bikes haven't the clearance to fit a full fender so a clip-on will have to be the compromise.

This super lightweight (64g) folding mud guard does its best not to be seen seen when not needed as it easily removed and can be folded flat in seconds making it small enough to be stashed in the back pocket of your cycling jersey. Unfortunately when it is fitted it does look like your bike has been harpooned with a plastic flap.

Fixing the Fendor Bendor couldn't be easier; fold the plastic sheet along the pre-scored lines to give the mud guard some shape and integrity and then squeeze it through the rear stays above the rear brake and attach it to the seat tube with a strap of velco. Et voila. Once in place it is remarkably rigid and doesn't seem to budge at all, though of course it doesn't work if you have a wishbone design rear seat stay.

There are some pre cut arcs that you can follow to cut the side of the fender to make more room for your brake calipers and which will prevent the cut from propagating any further and turning the fender into a stump.

The mudguard sits a few inches above the rear wheel and out far enough to stop your back wheel turning into a water feature in the rain. It is remarkably effective at preventing that brown streak up your back or those gritty bits that make it to the back of your head.

Considering how simple this mudguard is in design and easy and quick it is to install and fold away, for £12.20 it is a great accessory to hide in your bag ready and waiting. I would like it to come with a little pouch so you could take it off when it is wet and dirty and stuff it in a bag keeping it flat but a freezer bag can do this at very little cost. Our test product came with a Santa design by an artist called Baschz which wouldn't be my choice but you can get them in plain black.

Verdict

Light, simple, effective, foldable rear mudguard that can be easily stashed in a pocket or bag when not in use and to save sore eyes.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Wit Industries Fendor Bendor 3

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"This is a rear fender for people who don't want a fender on their bike, but sometimes dearly need one. Folded up, it can be stored in your bag or cycling jersey. Once it rains, it's there."

- agreed although carrying it around is a bit bothersome.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Quick to install

Super lightweight (~60 gms)

Fits more bikes and frames

Folds smaller

Is stronger

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

it is basically a cut out bit of plastic sheet with some scores in it.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Remarkably effective.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Not sure how many times you can fold it flat before the scores turn into fissures but it has survived the last month of cycling every day.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

Doesn't really register on the scales.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

No more spray up my back or crack. (TMI - Ed)

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Although £12.20 is not a great deal of money, this is the sort of product that could get hi-jacked by a pound shop and they would still make a profit.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Worked well at stopping the spray from the back wheel making a stripe down your back.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It works well, and you can take it off and put it in your bag when you have reached your destination.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It is quite ugly.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Take a freezer bag to pop it into.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 179  Weight: 75

I usually ride: Condor pista  My best bike is: Condor Pista fixed. Look KG241, Jean Thomann vintage

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed, bare back

 

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