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The Planet Bike Grasshopper Fenders aren’t your typical fenders. Made of bamboo they really stand out from the crowd. Planet Bike gave me the chance to test a pair out over the winter.
Planet Bike Grasshopper Fenders Features
- Fast growing Moso Bamboo makes your bicycle adventures even more sustainable
- Durable marine grade top coat finish and 3 ply Bamboo laminate construction
- Hardware is all stainless-steel and pre-installed for hassle-free mounting
- V-stays on the front and rear fender for added stability
- Release Tabs on front fender
- 45mm width
- Fits tires up to 27″x1 1/4″ or 700cx35mm
- Price: $134.99
Planet Bike Grasshopper Fenders Review
The Planet Bike Grasshopper Fenders are nice. Out of the box you’ll take one look, give a little whistle, and say “those ae nice!”. The natural look of the bamboo give the Grasshopper a visual aesthetic that other fenders don’t have. I don’t know how many compliments I’ve received on the fenders. ”Woah, look at those fenders!” is a common response I’ve heard. If you are going for a nicer look, consider the Grasshopper.
Aesthetics are one thing but if they don’t perform then what good would they be as fenders? On the performance side the Grasshopper did well. I’d say 3.5-4 stars. First off I’m using them on tires that are pushing the size limit. I have them on my 29er commuter rig which run 700×38 tires. Even at that larger size performance was decent. If you stay with the recommended size limit performance will be better (obviously).
I did note a few things. On plastic fenders they have more of a lip on the edges which helps channel then water down the fender. The Grasshopper has a small channel down the center but no lips on the edges. I did get some spray off the edges. It might be less with smaller tires but worth noting.
One other thing I noticed, particularly on the front wheel, is I really need a mud flap. The fender doesn’t quite extend low enough and my feet catch a lot spray. This could be product of running slightly bigger tires. In central OR we don’t get “that” much rain so I can get by without them. If you live in wetter climes then pair the Grasshopper with some mud flaps.
Being made of bamboo the Grasshopper fenders are extremely durable and hold up to the elements in a way plastic can’t. After one winter of use they look just as good the day I mounted them. Installation was a cinch and Planet Bike has good supply of small parts if you ever need to replace anything.
The Good
- Look great
- Durable
- Made with sustainable materials
The Bad
- Performance drops as your tires get bigger
- Need a mud flaps to keep spray down
Bottom Line:
The Planet Bike Grasshopper fenders look great, are durable, and can perform really well with the right sized tires.
Buy Now: Pick up the Planet Bike Grasshopper Fenders
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