Added return arm spring to rear BB7.
Converted the IRD 10sp rear end into an XT wide-range rear end with a Jtech Shiftmate.
Lightening a Topeak MTX bag. Yes, I'm a nut, and no it doesn't make that much difference. The system is still crazy heavy.
Topeak extended rack legs.
Sinking the Topeak rack mount screws (so the RD housing doesn't get hung up on it!)!
I agree that the Crud RoadRace fenders are the best. There is simply no other product that does what the Crud RoadRace fenders do, so there isn't any competition! I tried the Race Blades, and other similar hacked-up fenders from the big names that all end at the fork in the front and brake bridge in the rear. They do help keep *some* of the spray off of you. They also funnel all the gunk into your brake, your fork and lower headset bearing. The drive train still gets hammered, your shoes still fill with water, and the spray off the front hits you in the face since it isn't directed anywhere after it exits the front of the fork.
The RoadRace fenders solve all this by passing through the fork to extend the coverage well in front of the front brake, and by passing through the rear brake bridge. For the rear fender, the coverage extends all the way down to the bottom bracket - protecting your legs, your feet and your bottom bracket. The Alpha-Q fork on my road bike has insanely tight clearance (I can barely fit 25c tires in there!), and I had no problem fitting the RoadRace fenders to cover my 23c tires. I never thought it would be possible! I've ridden these fenders at 45 mph so far - with no worries about them in the least. The other riders in my group LOVE to be near me in the wet! Now when I get home from a wet ride, the bike is surprisingly clean, and I have zero road spray on me. Amazing. I mean truly amazing.
I purchased these fenders at full price from a bike shop. I don't get anything in return for my rave reviews (at least not yet!) :) I just call it like I see it. I never thought I'd be able to install real, full-coverage, light-weight fenders on my road bike - yet I did. And I'm thrilled about it as you can probably tell. (What would we do without Google? I never would have found these without a few minutes searching around the internet. None of my *local* bike shops sell them).
There are some things I'd improve:
1. Something better than zip-ties for the brake bolt attachment.
2. An adapter to allow use of front or rear threaded fender mounts if available on the bike.
3. A couple more options for zip-tie placement for the part that holds the front of the rear fender to the seat tube.
But really, those are picking nits when you consider the other options on the market!
Specs:
Protecting the Stem. Use a piece of innertube and punch a hole. Slip over stem.
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