Review of Topeak DeFender M2 Mountain Bike Fender (Rear)

Topeak DeFender M2 Mountain Bike Fender (Rear)
By: Topeak Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 13
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Works great!

On: 2010-02-20

Very easy to install or remove. Does a good job of keeping the slop off of the rider.

Topeak DeFender M2

On: 2009-12-28

The Topeak DeFender is well worth anybodys money if they do any biking through mud, snow, or rain. It is very easy to install. The grip that clamps on to your bike easily adjusts to fit small and medium diameter bike frames, and with the two pivoting joints, the perfect angle for the DeFender can be obtained. The only tool needed, an allen wrench, is included in the purchase. I am a college student who bikes to campus everyday, regardless of rain, snow, or cold, and the DeFender keeps everything from flipping up and making my backpack and my pants soaking wet. In fact, it keeps them perfectly dry. I would recommend this product to any of my friends.

Wow

On: 2009-12-08

I was impressed with the construction of this item. It will serve my MTN bike well. = )

I like it

On: 2009-07-19

I ride in the rainy season in Japan. I need something that keeps the bike from throwing water up my back. And when it isnt raining, I dont want to have anything extra on my bike... which means I need something that is easy to install and remove.

The DeFender is pretty easy to put on and take off. Probably less than a minute. And the system that allows you to adjust the slope of the fender is a nice touch. Once the slope adjustment is locked in place, it stays in place. Ive not had any trouble with the parts breaking. Had mine for a bit less than a year now.

My only complaint is that the clamp that attaches to the seatpost doesnt clamp tightly enough to allow the fender to always remain in proper alignment with the tire. Even if I use a rubber strip to wrap the seatpost prior to installing the fender clamp, I cant seem to get the clamp tight enough to avoid allowing the fender to occasionally move a bit to the right or left and be out of alignment with the tire. When that happens, it is easy to turn around and realign the fender, but I wish the attachment clamp/mechanism didnt allow this to happen.

Still... the good far outweighs the bad. It keeps the water spray off my back and attaches/detaches easily.

Cheaply made but does it's job well

On: 2009-06-07

Just about every piece of this guy is plastic. It would have been nice if they had used a few pieces of sturdy metal on the joints for durability.

In the end though, it does what it says. It clips on to the seat post with a quick release bolt which is nice if you have days when you dont need to use it. Its simple to adjust it to the correct angle. For the price, I dont think I could have done better.

I have used it for two 18 mile trips and so far, I have had no issues with the fender slipping on the seat post (or on the adjustable joints).

Its lighter than I thought it would be and performed just fine.

The only thing it loses points on is its sturdiness of design.

Overall good purchase.

Topeak DeFender M2 Rear fender

On: 2009-04-12

I cant believe that Topeak would produce such a piece of junk! I installed the M2 on my bike and accidentally hit the fender with my foot while mounting the bike and the plastic piece that connects the fender to the seat post snapped off! The fender itself isnt bad (thats the only reason why it got 2 stars)but Topeak needs to retool the connection point on this. I found it odd that a company that manufactures such wonderful tools would produce something so trashy!

One of the defender you sould choose.

On: 2009-02-10

Made by Topeak, this one is tougher then the Air Defender because this Defender wont "flat" itself, but its a little bit big and heavy for a mountain bike though...

Still, if you need a defender, this wont make you disappointed.

Topeak Defender M2 MTB

On: 2009-01-11

I was excited about the purchase as the design of this was superb over all other fenders seen on the market, However I was unable to use the product more than once as the material for joints and adjustments are rigid and fragile, and when my leg hit the fender, the joint was shader to pieces.

Horrible..

On: 2008-11-09

Looks great and all, and a cinch to install. But as I was getting onto the bike, I accidentally kicked it and it snapped at the arm, which is deceptively thin and unsupported.

TOPEAK M2 REAR FENDER

On: 2008-08-11

THIS FENDER IS GREAT AND WORKS AS WELL AS THE FRONT M1 FENDER. SAME STYLING AND COOL LOOK. YOU CAN ADJUST IT COUNTLESS WAYS. IT STOPS DEBRIS FROM KICKING UP ON YOUR BACK SIDE AND GREAT ON A RAINY DAY. IF YOU USE A REAR FENDER YOU NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING HOLDING THE BIKE UP WHEN YOUR NOT RIDING LIKE A DISPLAY STAND OR KICK STAND. MOST PEOPLE WHO USE THIS PRODUCT WILL HAVE A HIGH END MOUNTAIN BIKE WHICH USUALLY DOESNT HAVE A KICK STAND AND THATS WHERE THE FENDER BECOMES A PROBLEM. IF YOU LEAN IT ON SOMETHING THE FENDER WILL USUALLY BE THE FIRST THING LEANING ON THE OBJECT BECAUSE IT STICKS OUT WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO WARP A LITTLE OR STRESS IT DO TO THE BIKES WEIGHT. YOU COULD LEAN THE BIKE BY THE HANDLE BARS THEN YOUR FINE UNLESS YOU GET HOOKED ON THE BARS AND THE BIKE FALLS (ARGGG). ITS DEF A GOOD FENDER, YOU JUST NEED TO PLAN THE BIKES STORAGE. I ORDERED THE DISPLAY STANDS AND THE BIKE STANDS FREE AND NO MORE LEANING ON ANY THING. I DIDNT USE THE REAR FENDER UNTIL I GOT THE STANDS TO SAVE HEADACHES. YOU CAN USE THE FRONT FENDERS WITH OUT ISSUE. THEY ALWAYS STAY OUT OF THE WAY. IF YOU WANT TO USE THE REAR FENDER RIGHT AWAY IT COMES OFF EASILY AND YOU COULD TAKE IT OFF AFTER YOUR RIDE IS DONE SO AS NOT TO SNAG IT ON SOMETHING. I THINK THE STAND IS A BETTER OPTION PLUS YOU CAN WORK ON YOUR BIKE IF NEEDED. VERY DURABLE MATERIALS - GREAT PRICE - GREAT BUY. BIKE SHOPS TRY TO SELL THE CHEAPER VERSION FOR 2WICE AS MUCH.

a nice item

On: 2008-06-18

Quick shipping, easy to put the fender on, you have to remove the rear reflector from the bike. The fender will not work for short legged people as it attaches to the seat downrod.

This is a great DeFender

On: 2008-04-18

I have no complaints about this product. I bought it because i use my bike nearly everyday. Inevetably its going to rain and I still need to use my bike. With this product I can ride in the reain and not think twice about getting wet from tire spray. It fits on the seat post easily and comes off just as easily, without needing to remove the post. In addition, it looks pretty cool. Great product, I definately recommend it.

Quality fender with one minor issue

On: 2008-03-18

I got this and the M1 (front) fender to keep the skunk stripe off my back in wet weather. I only use this for commuting -- not for offroad rock/dirt protection -- so keep that in mind.

Overall, this fender is great quality, and is very versatile. The quick-release clamp actually fits over the seat tube on my 05 Dakar FS. I mention this only because it is designed to fit on the seat post, but the mechanism can be "unscrewed" to fit a lager diameter. The main (black) plastic is rigid, but the tip (gray part) is soft/flexible. This is great for when you -- or someone else -- accidentally bumps into it. The design allows you to set not only the height, but the slope as well.

The vertical adjustments lock down with Allen head screws, which is where my *minor* issue comes into play. Even fully screwed-in, the fender can be moved up and down -and- side to side fairly easily. Perhaps this is engineered to keep the rigid nylon pieces from snapping?

Although somewhat irrelevant to this item, I *did* encounter an issue with the M1. It broke at the mount on the first day I had it. The customer service at Topeak is awesome though, and I got a replacement part in 2 days!