Fender compatibility
700 x 48mm or 650 x 2.0in (depending on tire/rim manufacturer)
Frame max spacing 58mm; Fork max spacing 60mm
Velo Orange
Rule of thumb from Velo Orange: The basic rule in fender fitting is that the fender should be at least 8mm wider than the tire; 10-12 mm is better. A fender's width is measured on the outside, not inside.
650b Fenders
https://velo-orange.com/collections/650b-fenders
650b Zeppelin Fenders, 52mm - Silver and Noir: 52mm wide, designed for 650b wheels, and work with tires up to 44mm wide. Rear fender is 120cm long and the front is 90cm long. Both come pre-drilled for stays. Front is pre-drilled for a fork crown mount
650b Smooth Fenders, 58mm - Silver and Noir: 58mm wide; For tires up to 50mm wide; Rear fender is 120cm long and the front is 90cm long. Both come pre-drilled for stays. Front is pre-drilled for a fork crown mount
Those are the VO 650b Smooth Fenders, 58mm. Tires are Goodyear Connector Ultimate 50mm and the clearance is very good. I like the fenders and the protection but I will probably add an extra U stay connecting the front part of the front fender to the middle eyelet of the fork for extra stability.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159390203220787&set=p.10159390203220787&type=3
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Dear Alexis: I am in the Ritchey Outback FB group. I saw that you fit Velo Orange fenders (58mm 650b) on your Outback. Did you have any difficulty fitting them into the frame or into the fork. Do you have 8mm clearance between the fenders and your 50mm tires? Thanks.
ANSWER: clearance is good it's around 5mm between the widest part of the tire and the fender. I had to slightly form the fender at the seat stay tube location. I did that to improve clearance and get a consistent fender line.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=5716535755039150&set=pcb.5716535948372464
The Woods Cyclery: https://www.facebook.com/thewoodscyclery/posts/pfbid0kPEVaiA8BFs7B7StHPG3AhCyCneboTPQe1EGXHcCA1Xwo16PVnt3jGQoJ9RAa27Sl
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Thanks for your email, sorry it's taken us a while to get back to you! It's been pretty busy for us over the past week!
We are doing another one at the moment and we have been fitting Velo orange Zeppelin guards to these bikes and have been recommended that people use tyres no wider than 48mm, for instance Rene Herse Juniper Ridge .
These fit well and still leave you with a little clearance for mud and stones but this tends to be our recommendation for guards that keep the classy look of a ritchey!
I hope you find this information helpful!
Robbie @TWC
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The Woods Cyclery
02380 282028
Dear Woods Cyclery:
I noticed a post you made on theRitchey Outback Facebook Groupabout putting fenders on a Ritchey Outback. I’d like to put fenders on an Outback with 650b wheels.
The fenders in your post look like they might be Velo Orange 650b Smooth 58mm fenders. Is that what you would recommend, and what size tires will safely fit under them?
Velo Orange Fender Basics
https://velo-orange.com/pages/choosing-fenders
Measuring for Fenders
The basic rule in fender fitting is that the fender should be at least 8mm wider than the tire; 10-12 mm is better.
So if you're running 32mm or 1 1/4" (for 27") tires, get 45mm fenders. If you're running 42mm tires, get 50 or 52mm Fenders. If you're running 48mm tires get at least 56mm fenders (58 or 60 would be better.
A fender's width is measured on the outside, not inside. So to determine if a fender will fit you'll check clearance at the fork crown, and in between the seat stays.
Check the width and height of the fork crown. Finally check that the seat stays are far enough apart and that the brake bridge is at least 10mm above the tire. You may have noticed that I've not mentioned the chain stays. Those are easy because you can always trim the bottom of the fender to clear.
Of course metal fenders are flexible and can be bent, so if the fit is close you can always squeeze the fender in a few millimeters at the offending spot.
It's important to also get fenders of the proper radius. 27" and 700c wheels are close enough to use the same fenders. 650b and 26" fenders are close and some folks do use one size on the other, but you may need to adjust your fender line as the size is close but not identical.
Fender line refers to the fender following the radius of the tire. In other words, the gap between the fender and the tire should be constant along the whole length of the fender. It's one of those things that may not matter much in practice, but it effects the bikes appearance a lot.
As for fender length, that's easy: get the longest fenders possible. Long fenders keep you a lot drier. And if you live in the Northwest, get a mudflap for the front fender too. If you ride brevets or in pacelines, your fellow riders will appreciate a rear flap as well.