Review of Planet Bike Grunge Board Bicycle Down Tube Splatter Guard Fender

Planet Bike Grunge Board Bicycle Down Tube Splatter Guard Fender
By: Planet Bike Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 1
More Information

Nice if you don't have front fender mounts

On: 2008-05-06

Ive got a bicycle without any mounting holes for fenders. It also doesnt have enough clearance between the forks/brakes and tires to jerry-rig a fender. However, I hate not riding my bike because of light rain or a few puddles.

The Grunge Board was the best option that I could find at a reasonable price. It straps onto the downtube with a couple of rubber straps. Ive got an 80s racing bike with tight geometry, and the dimensions of the board are small enough to clear the crankarms and the front wheel during turns. But just so (orientation makes a difference).

Ive ridden through some big puddles and it seems to do a fairly good job of keeping my pant legs from getting soaked. I still put some scotch tape over the holes/slits around the bottom bracket to keep the gunk from getting in. The board is light enough that I leave it on all the time, even when its not raining...just in case there is an unexpected puddle.

I have to take off a star because I think the mounting band should have been designed better. First, it hard to push the rubber bands through the narrow slots once they wrap around the downtube. The bands have slits in them that attach to nubs on the underside of the board. The nubs are not large enough to hold the bands in place perfectly securely. They seem to usually work, but the bands come off occasionally. If you have a small diameter downtube (as in most pre-90s, bikes), there are also a couple inches of extra rubber band that just flop around. It shouldnt be too hard for Planet Bike to redesign this retention mechanism, but its also hard to complain for ~$10.

You can use a couple of cable ties instead of the rubber bands and theyd probably do a better job. You could also use a large soda bottle cut to size and get the same effect, though arguably a bit uglier.