SKS Speedrocker Fender Review

Don’t let the rain stop you from riding

The SKS Speedrocker fender has been a trusty piece of gear to have available for many bikes in our quiver. As we all know, not all bikes come with fenders. This is why we are always so pleased when some of our urban electric bikes come with fenders for test. You’re likely here because your bike didn’t come with fenders and you’re wondering if these are worth it.

Well if you happen to be rolling on 42mm or smaller tires you’ll be delighted. Don’t worry though, the Speedrocker XL will fit up to 52mm tires.

These bike fenders are lightweight and offer just the right amount of coverage. Of all the things we bring in on test here at Electric Bike Journal, rain focused gear is something we can really put to the test. Fenders as simple as they may seem do actually very quite a bit from brand to brand, and finding the right ones to fit your bike can prove challenging.

The Lab

The SKS Speedrocker fits 700 or 650b wheel size and tires up to 42mm. The overall weight for the set is 508g. This bike fender is a flexible, yet durable and stiff, plastic fender set.

Out front is a two-piece fender. Both pieces have a double spoiler to help prevent the unwanted moisture from flying up in your face. The front half is 210mm in length while the rear half is 500mm long. On a 700c wheel this easily will cover to around axle height.

The telescoping rear fender contains a sliding extension to fit a wide range of frame designs. The slide will pull out and secures to the downtube of the frame with a velcro strap. The rear fender is 950mm of full length.

The rear fender has one alloy strut towards the flared end that is adjustable in length and secures to the frame with two rubber straps. About center there are two arms protruding down from the fender that use the same rubber strap system to secure to the frame.

It is important to note that these are only compatible with disc brakes. Unfortunately, for v-brake setups these fenders will interfere with the brake arms.

Why the Speedrockers?

When it comes to fenders there are two types of riders that are on the hunt, those that know what they’re looking for and those that are just looking to stay as dry as possible.

For those of you that know what you’re on the hunt for, you likely have seen the Speedrocker fender come across your screen more then once. They’re lightweight, easy to mount, and can find quite a wide range of bike frames and forks.

For those of you that are just looking for fenders and are feeling overwhelmed with the amount of options out there, we feel you. There are so many types out there, how do you pick? Well the short answer is to start with finding a set that fits your wheel size, chances are they’ll probably work with your bike. Unfortunately, there is more to it then that, but you shouldn’t feel intimidated.

What makes the SKS Speedrockers so convenient is how easy they are to install and secure. These fenders don’t depend on have a specific mount on the frame, they simply fit in to place over the tire and then strap to the frame. This is as easy as it gets for a full fender. Yes there are even easier fender solutions out there, but they don’t all offer the same amount of coverage.

Beyond their ease of use they’re highly durable. Where metal fenders are solid and can endure it all, they are susceptible to denting, bending, scratching, and more. These Speedrockers are strong enough to hold their form and to prevent any debris from breaking through. When locking up at the bike racks or leaning against a wall, they are pliable enough to flex out of the way and bounce back into place once you start riding.

Going on two full wet seasons with the Speedrocker fenders, they easily have become my favorite fender to swap between bikes. I have found a few little details that could be refined. On fenders with a solid rear strut to keep the fender in place, I personally like the look of the strut lining up with the seat stay at as close to a 90° angle as possible. Call it vanity, but I think that’s just how they’re supposed to look. On most of the bikes I’ve mounted these fenders up to, they do tend to favor that position. On the odd few, and referenced in the images on this article, the brake mount disrupts that mounting position making you move the strut up higher on the seat stay. It all works the same at the end of the day, but I would like to see a better mounting solution for Post mount brakes to allow the strut to mount lower on the seat stay.

While the strut angle is more of a visual preference, there is no effect on the fender if you have to slide the mount up higher. On the front fender there is actually a functional complication that can happen based off of the cable guide located on your fork. On the State fork, as seen in the images in this article, the fender wants to mount perfectly in direct contact with the cable guide. I ended up removing the rubber guide on that side to mount the fender over the topside of the cable guide. I could’ve slide the fender higher, but it would’ve had a huge gap over the front wheel, and mounting it lower was not preferred as it would’ve been way too close to the tire.

All that to say, the State 6061 was the only bike that I had any mounting complications with of the nearly dozen bikes I have mounted these fenders to. Overall, I have become a huge fan of these bike fenders and like how lightweight they are while still being durable enough to take quite a beating. Additionally, being able to quickly throw them on a bike and swap them to another bike the next day is ideal for our application.