If you’re lucky enough to have somewhere to ride your mountain bike when it rains, decent fenders can be a helpful addition to your bike. But since no one really likes to ride around with fenders when it’s dry out, it helps if the fenders can be quickly removed and installed – otherwise they’re going to sit in your garage unused. As tires continue to get bigger, so must the fenders which is why SKS has introduced the new X-Tra Dry XL rear and Shockboard XL front fenders. Designed to provide more coverage, the X-Tra DRy XL measures in at 80mm longer and 10mm wider than the original, while the Shockboard XL adds 60mm in length as well.
Still just as easy to put on and take off, the pair is worth a look for anyone riding 29ers or fat 700c tires…
Certainly more complicated to initially install than the X-Tra Dry XL, the Shockboard XL needs tools only for the initial install. Included with the fender are all the parts needed to fit just about any fork with 5 different size expansion wedges, and two different base plates to make sure the fender clears the fork crown. After selecting the biggest expander that will fit in the steerer tube, the base plate is attached with an allen screw and a captured nut, placed inside the steerer tube, and tightened down to hold it in place. Once installed, this is the only part that will stay on the bike when you are not running the fender.
After installing the wedge and baseplate, the fender simply clips into place. To remove it, press the orange release button and slide in the opposite direction. The amount of coverage is excellent, and the front of the fender is raised to make sure there is no contact with the fork arch on compression. I will say that mounting the fender in a narrow rigid fork can be tricky due to the plastic being slightly wider, but squeezing it gently on installation was all that was needed.
Measuring 660mm in length, the Shockboard XL is 80mm wide, weighs in at 96g, has a max tire width of 2.5″, and retails for $29.99.
The X-Tra Dry XL is a pretty typical flipper style fender that mounts to the seat post with a quick release mechanism. The cloth adjustment strap is easily moved allowing for precise tensioning and the angle of the fender can be adjusted with an allen wrench. At 600mm long, and 95mm wide, the fender offers plenty of rear spray coverage for the rider, and has a maximum seat post sedimentation of 35mm. You can pick up an X-Tra Dry XL for $19.99.
sks-germany.com
