Bicycle Garage Indy Receives Thanks from N.I.T.E. Ride Chair

Thursday, August 19, 2010 by Connie Schmucker

Bicycle Garage Indy is proud to be a long-time sponsor of the N.I.T.E. Ride, held on June 26th. Not only does BGI help promote the event, we provide supplies and service before and during the event, including riding support who do small repairs on the route as well as support vehicles to bring in those who can’t finish the ride. In recognition of our efforts to provide service to the riders before and during the event, we received the following "Thanks" from NITE Ride Director Dan Shields:

Bicycle Garage Tech Services at NITE Ride"On behalf of Central Indiana Bicycling Association (CIBA), I would like to thank you and the entire BGI team for your efforts to help make 2010 N.I.T.E. Ride (Navigate Indy This Evening) such a huge success.

This year’s event, on June 26, 2010, far surpassed our registration record that was set just last year, with nearly 3,300 paid registrations. We are also clearly reaching more novice riders as evidenced by an even higher rate of growth in riders needing assistance, whether for bicycle servicing before the event or SAG support during the ride. BGI’s incredible support in this area has been crucial to achieving our mission of promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, commuting and touring while maintaining a great experience for all participants.

We are also thankful for your working with Giant Bicycles in providing the bicyclies for the BGI Great Bike Giveaway", the prizes for the "L.I.T.E. Up Your Bike" contest, BGI’s efforts to co-promote the event and all of the other valuable elements of BGI’s sponsorship.

Please accept our thanks for your fine support of N.I.T.E. Ride 2010!

Dan Shields
Chair, 2010 N.I.T.E. Ride Committee"

Bicycle Garage Indy looks forward to supporting the N.I.T.E. Ride in 2011!  (June 25th, 2011)

Connie Szabo Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy
Indianapolis and Greenwood, IN

Sunday Ride Starts with Yard Work on Saturday!

Friday, August 13, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
So, here's what it looked like at oh-dark-thirty on Saturday morning…
 
Our good friend Rob caught a wicked virus last year.  It attacked his heart muscle, and really brought him to his knees.  He went from bike-commuting a 70mile round trip several times a week, to not being able to keep up with household chores.  He's on the mend, but behind the curve… 
 
On Saturday, about 20 of us descended on their house and blitzed through a season's-worth of chores.  We blew sticks off the roof (they live in the woods) and cleaned the gutters.  We got rid of wasp nests in the downspouts and in the grill. (Did you know that plantain neutralizes venom?!) We raked and mowed and ran the string trimmers.  Raspberry bushes that were engulfed with nightshade breathed a sigh of relief. Volunteer tomato plants were untangled and draped over cages. Herbs were found amongst brambles.  Walkways between raised beds were found and cleared.  The pile of weeds we pulled was bigger than our couch!  
 
We'd planned to ride Gnaw Bone Camp afterward, but that didn't happen. Ride plans morphed to Sunday, and it ended up even better than we imagined!
 
Amanda won the Women's Division of the Sub-9 SuperD race at Brown County State Park.  Tim won the Overall title, wearing his HalfWheelers kit. (Woo-hoo, first team victory!!)   Montana took 4th in Men's Expert.  Alex raced and got to see world-class riders grinning ear-to-ear over the quality and challenge of the trails that he helped design and build.
 
Ready to Roll - Mark FinneySally, Jill, Tom, Dno, Fred and I went to Versailles and rode the Dino course.  Hooked up with Guy (VSP trailbuilder) Scotty (riding animal) and Tim (from Cinci) and Dave (webmaster from England-Idlewild) on the trails.  Scott and Sally were still hungry for more, so they bid us adieu and we headed home.  Scotty logged 75 miles before dusk, and Sally rode all night.  She's training for this fall's  World MTB Endurance Championships in Australia (the motive force behind Team HalfWheelers!), and came prepared with her night-riding lights.  She said she had to put on arm-warmers by 4am, and that the sunrise was beautiful.
 
So…  Things didn't go exactly as planned, but turned out even better! 
 
BTW, here's my packing list: Bike (ABC quick-check done), shoes, helmet, gloves, shorts, jersey, socks, CamelBak (full and stocked w/ food & tools), cooler w/ water bottles, 2 PB&Js and a couple of apres-ride refreshments. 

Mark Finney (Sales Staff - Bicycle Garage Indy North)
Bicycle: '08 Giant Trance Advanced
Indianapolis, IN
 

The Best Second Choice

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
When I started looking for a new bike I really wanted a road bike, but that didn't work out. I got a Giant Rapid 3 and it is great. Since I got it, alot of my riding has been in places that would be dificult on a road bike. This includes gravel trails, very sandy areas, and even a few dirt roads. Though it handles well there, it can still can ride like a road bike.

Name: Ben Handy (Product Runner - Bicycle Garage Indy North)
Bicycle: Giant Rapid 3
City: Indianapolis
State: Indiana

The Giant Rapid 3 is just one of the Giant Bicycle Indianapolis available at either BGI location: North, Clearwater area in Indianapolis and South, just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood.

Markdowns on Giant 2010 Bikes at Bicycle Garage Indy

Monday, June 21, 2010 by The Latest Buzz from Bicycle Garage Indy
It is time to get ready for 2011 bikes - yes, 2011, and Bicycle Garage Indy has to start marking down our remaining stock of 2010 bikes.  Here are pictures and links to two of the Giant bikes we have already marked down.  Supplies are limited; some of these are the last of a size and model for 2010.   More are are listed on the Bicycle Garage Indy web site here.
Giant XTC 2 at Bicycle Garage Indy
Giant's XTC 2 features an ALUXX SL aluminum frame and a 100mm RockShox fork that is perfect for cruising everywhere from the local singletrack to downtown. More details here.   Regularly priced at $799, now clearance priced at $539
Giant Rainier W at Bicycle Garage Indy
Giant's Women's Rainier carves singletrack, paths and city streets with ease thanks to Giant's quick-handling and responsive ALUXX-aluminum frame. More details here.  Regularly priced at $799, now clearance priced at $539.

Remember, supplies are limited, and these are just two of the Giant Bikes Indianapolis.  See our full selection of 2010 and soon to arrive 2011 bikes at either BGI location - North (Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood)

Giant Trance Advanced

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
Wow, Giant did me right. I had a frame failure on my old bike, and I got to upgrade to the new Trance Advanced fercheep. It's a 4" travel full-suspension mountain bike that feels like it has bottomless travel, but climbs like a road bike. Giant's Maestro suspension flat-out "works." It keeps the rear wheel planted over climbing obstacles, and doesn't need a fancy shock to overcome pedal-induced bob. I added Ergon grips and my favorite saddle (WTB Laser V), and I'm good for flat'n fast Town Run, or rock-strewn Brown County State Park. Love it!!!

Name: Mark Finney (Sales Staff at Bicycle Garage Indy North)
Bicycle: '08 Giant Trance Advanced
City: Indianapolis
State: IN


Mark:  Thanks for Your Bicycle Story. Bicycle Garage Indy features the Giant Advanced Trance as part of a full line of off-road Giant Bikes Indianapolis.

Great BGI experience

Monday, June 14, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
Having recently moved to the Indianapolis area I have been enamored with the trails and bicycle friendly atmosphere around the city. I've been riding my 14 year old Giant CFR two for several years, and so I thought it might be time for a new ride as well as something more commuter friendly. I looked on Bicycle Garage Indy's website and was smitten with the look of the Cannondale Bad Boy Disc (love that Lefty front fork). I e-mialed with some questions and got a quick response which I greatly appreciated. A few weeks later I visited the store for the first time. Victor lugged out at least five different bikes for me to try in the parking lot. He never pressured but only wanted to help, which was a great experience! Later that week I ordered the Cannondale (despite riding several other very nice bikes) and I picked it up a week ago today. While I only have a little over 100 miles on it so far, I love it! Couldn't have asked for a better experience or be happier with my decision. Thanks BGI and Victor too.

Name: Rob Miller
Bicycle: Cannondale Bad Boy Disc
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Rob:  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for Your Bicycle story.  The Bad Boy Disc is just one of the many Cannondale Bikes Indianapolis we have ready for test rides at both BGI locations.

The Family Starter Bike

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
Hunter, the latest rider of the family starter.About 9 years ago I purchased a Giant Sedona hybrid bike and tag-a-long to tow my autistic son on the Monon Trail. This was actually the first "new" bike I had ever had in my life and LOVED it! My son soon outgrew the tag-a-long and we purchased tandem recumbents to replace it. My poor hybrid just sat unused in my garage for a couple years all by itself. When I was introduced to mountain biking and "real" road riding in 2008, I fell in love with sport! My sister Julia saw how much I loved it and started riding my hybrid. I eventually gave it to her as a present in 2009 but she quickly graduated up to a MUCH nicer road bike and has been quickly become an avid rider herself. Julia then gave the hybrid to our sister Brenda who began taking her kids on family bike rides in Beech Grove. Brenda has since started losing weight and became more interested in road bikes. Her oldest son has "filched" the family bike and frequently takes it out for rides. If you have a bike languishing in your garage, use it...or give it to someone who will. You will be amazed at the diffence it can make in a persons life!

Name: Linda Waddick
Bicycle: Giant Sedona
City: Westfield
State: IN

Linda:  Everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy thanks you for Your Bicycle story.  The Sedona continues to be a popular "starter" Giant Bike Indianapolis at Bicycle Garage Indy.

My current road bike

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
Hi, Bob from BGI South here. Being a bike shop guy I tend to swap bikes every year. This past year I went back to a Giant TCR. This is the TCR Alliance, which is a carbon/alluminum mix. The ride quality is quite nice with stiffness where it's needed and compliance too. The componet mix is kind of a mish-mash of stuff I had around. Being a short fellow I always have issues with fit but the TCRs have always been good to me in that way. Hope to see you on the road or trail, yes I have ridden this on trails, but that's another story.

Name: Bob Locke (Manager, Bicycle Garage Indy South)
Bicycle: 09 Giant TCR Alliance
City: Indianapolis
State: Indiana

(The TCR Alliance is just one one of the Giant Bikes Indianapolis available from Bicycle Garage Indy - North, in the Clearwater Crossing area and South, Greenwood, just west of I-65 on County Line Rd.)

My Giant 29er

Sunday, May 9, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
After looking for a year the opportunity came up to test ride a 29er at the Gaint Demo Days/BGI/Town Run. I was sold with how smooth it rode and it made perfect sense as my commute to work includes both woods and roads. It only took a few minutes to be completely comfortable with this bike and (here comes the cliche) I love it every time I get to ride it.

Name: Kelly Crimmins (Clothing Buyer, Bicycle Garage Indy)
Bicycle: Giant 29er
City: Indianapolis
State: Indiana

Note - the 29er is part of the rental fleet at Bicycle Garage Indy. 

Seat Bag Essentials

Monday, May 3, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle
Seat Bag essentials for the day rider from Bicycle Garage IndyWhat should be in a seat bag is a question we hear a lot.  And the basics needs are quite simple; fix a flat or tighten or adjust anything on your bike.  A seat bag can also be the place for things that might go in a clothing pocket; Snacks, ID, Keys, Cell phone and money.  The list below takes care of the needs for most day riders. 

Seat Bag Essentials
Spare Tube(s)
Patch Kit
Tire Levers
Frame Pump, Mini-Pump or CO2 inflator.
Multi tool (Matched to the needs of your bike)
An energy bar
Emergency Money
Identification
House or Car Keys
 
Fixing a flat tire is the most likely problem any bicyclist will encounter, and the first items into a seat bag.  You will need a pump or inflator, tire levers and a tube and/or patch kit.  You will also need to know all the steps in removing a wheel, removing the tire and tube, and then putting it all back together again.  Even if you don't know how, carry these spares; if you have them along a good samaritan can help you out.
 
The other problems you will encounter and be able fix are going to depend on your mechanical skills.   For basic around town and day rides, a simple multi tool will let you do most of the adjustments you need to finish a ride or get home; tighten something that came loose,  adjust a seat height or straighten handlebars.    Allen wrenches and screw drivers take care of most needs. Bicycle Garage Indy offers Maintenance Classes and Mini-Clinics where you can learn these skills.
 
If you move on to more challenging riding, like technical off-road or multi-day self-supported touring, you will want a few more tools and a few spare parts, and training in how to use them.

Bags, pumps and tools from Giant, Serfas, Park Tool, and Bontrager, are among the hundreds of bike accessories Indianapolis available at either Bicycle Garage Indy location, North (Indianapolis in the Clearwater area) or South (Greenwood, just west of I-65 on County Line Rd).
 
 

Why You Should Have a Floor Pump

Sunday, March 28, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle
Bontrager Charger Floor Pump at Bicycle Garage IndyCannondale Maximum Airport at Bicycle Garage IndyMy youngest son, 14, is an avid rider, but still learning the importance of routine bike maintenance.  Last week, he set on a ride without checking his tires.  It was about a half hour later that we got the call about his flat tire.  We picked him up, and repairing the tire, I found the tell tale "snake-bite" or pinch flat, the result of riding over a sharp bump with an under inflated tire.

 

Under inflation is a common cause of bicycle flats. And along with flat tires, expensive rim damage may result.  Bicycle tubes, especially with narrow, lightweight wheels, may easily drop 10 to 20 lb. of tire pressure in just a week.  For this reason, a floor pump is good way to protect your bicycle investment.  

 

There a few basic features to look for in pump.  A built-in pressure gauge allows you to add air and check pressure in one step.  A dual head will handle either automotive (Schraeder) style valves, or the narrower Presta valves found on lightweight wheel.  A long hose will allow you reach the valve in any position.  You also want a stable base and comfortable handle.  Some pumps will also include inflator pins for spot balls and other inflatable items like beach and pool toys.

 

Bicycle Garage Indy stocks may floor pumps.  The Bontrager Charger is very good pump with all the basic features you need.  If you have both road and off-road/comfort bikes at home, the Cannondale Airport Maximum Floor Pump is able to  switch between hi-pressure road tires and large-volume, low pressure,  off road tires.  Blackburn and Giant pumps are also available.

 

They are just a few of the bike tools Indianapolis you will find at Bicycle Garage Indy North in the Clearwater area, or Bicycle Garage Indy South, in Greenwood,  just minutes west of I-65 on County Line Road.

BGI Spring Bike Expo

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
I stopped by the BGI Spring Bike Expo on Sunday and was amazed at the success of the event! There were several tents filled full of great deals on bikes, complimentary brownies and popcorn, a bike ride testing area and a shuttle that took me from the store to the tent sale! Although I didn't test ride a bike, I enjoyed watching this father and son have a blast riding around on their tandem bike. I asked if I could take a picture to capture how much fun they were having and the father replied, "Of course! We are definitely going to get this bike!"

Name: Heather Benfield
Bicycle: Giant Halfwheeler 1 Aluminum
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

(Heather:  We are glad you stopped in!  Please come back when you are ready for you you own Giant Bikes Indianapolis from BGi.  The BGi Staff)


BGI --- Great Experience for this Novice!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
Hey everyone, just wanted to pass along a novice's take-away from the Annual Spring Bicycle tent sale --- amazing fun and even better information for this novice. The atmosphere, like all the BGI staffers I spoke to, was so welcoming and non-intimidating as I browsed around, asked lots of questions and learned so much as I ponder which is best for me. Took my little 4-legged friend "Lucky" and we met Rocco and his wonderful family who were bike shopping with Dad. The stunt riding show was amazing. This guy's launch started off of the Redbull trailer, as high as the Yakima sign. Too fast for me! Anyway, just wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that if you're even considering buying a bike --- no matter what your skill level --- you need to talk to the folks here. Way cool, way knowledgeable and way nice. Thanks everyone --- I'll be bike!!!

Name: Maureen
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

(Maureen:  Chris Clark and Jeff Lenosky, sponsored in part by Giant Bicycle, put on an amazing show. We will look forward to helping you on your next visit.  The BGi Staff)

BGI Bike Sale - Big Winner!

Monday, March 22, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
Great success! I stopped by BGI to check out the Annual Spring Bicycle Expo and walked (or rode) away with a Giant Dash. I test rode a couple of models but knew I had found my match with the Dash...many thanks to Ben and all of his superior bike wisdom! I'm definitely looking forward to getting involved in road race cycling and triathlons in Indianapolis this spring.

Name: Kelly Simon
Bicycle: Giant Dash
City: Carmel
State: IN

(Thanks Kelly, enjoy your new ride!  The BGi Staff)

BGI Spring Expo

Sunday, March 21, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
BGI put on an awesome bicycle sale in Indianapolis this weekend. I came to buy a bike and was drawn in by the show that was happening in the parking lot outside of the main tent. The show I caught featured a pro who was jumping (on his bike) across a 5 ft. wide area on his bike. This picture doesn't do it justice but it awesome in person. Make sure you have the right training and right bike gear before trying this at home! 

Name: Kelly Simon
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

 (Thanks Kelly, we are glad you enjoyed the Jeff Lenosky/Chris Clark Trials Stunt Ride, sponsored by BGi and Giant Bicycle Indianapolis)

BGi's 27th Annual Spring Bicycle Expo Starts Friday

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle
This Friday thru Sunday, March 19th, 20th & 21st, Bicycle Garage Indy will hold the 27th annual BGI Spring Bicycle Expo.  The Expo takes place at both BGI Locations: BGI North on 82nd Street in the  Clearwater area, and BGI South, just west of I-65 on County Line Road in Greenwood. Our North Store will feature an 18,000 sq. ft. tent with 1,000 ready to ride bikes, all on sale.  Also at North, bicycle car racks will be on sale from 20% to 30% off, with Free Installation.  Full Details are at www.bgindy.com/for/expo.

Every product category at Bicycle Garage Indy will be on sale:  Helmets (20%) Bicycle Clothing and Shoes (15% to 50% off), all accessories (15% off) and all Fitness Equipment (10% off).  Cannondale, Giant and Trek Bikes Indianapolis will all be on sale during the BGI Spring Bicycle Expo.

Getting to know Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Saturday, February 27, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle
"Bleeding" a hydraulic disc brake at Bicycle Garage IndyI am completely at home taking care of the different types of bicycle brakes I have used over the years; side pulls, center pulls, cantilevers and linear-pull/V-brakes.   I have had them on the bikes I have owned, assembled and maintained.  But disc brakes are a completely new animal for me.  I don’t own a disc-equipped bike (yet, of course!), and they only came into wide-spread use after my days as a full-time mechanic.  However, I had a unique opportunity to learn more about Hydraulic Disc brakes when Josh Prater, one of the service leads for Bicycle Garage Indy, scheduled a training session for BGI’s Service Department to share what he learned at a recent Park Tool Tech Summit, I jumped at the chance, and it turned out to be a very interesting couple of hours!
 
Josh provided the full run down on the adjustment and maintenance techniques for hydraulic brakes from Avid and Shimano that are used on Giant, Trek and Cannondale off-road bikes sold by Bicycle Garage Indy.   Included were techniques for throw and “dead-band” adjustment, brake line bleeding (removing air from the closed hydraulic lines), brake line replacement and pad replacement. For the most part, if you are already technically competent in your bicycle care, these are techniques you could handle; on the other hand, it is nice to know these are all Bike Maintenance Indianapolis services available from Bicycle Garage Indy.

IMPD Receives Bicycles from BGI Fitness and CIBA Foundation

Monday, January 4, 2010 by Connie Schmucker

IMPD Receives Police Bike from Bicycle Garage Indy / BGI FitnessOn November 14, Sgt. Joshua Shaughnessy was injured and his bike was totaled when he was on-duty riding in downtown Indianapolis. While his injuries were not serious, the bike was damaged beyond repair. When Bicycle Garage Indy/BGI Fitness learned of Sgt. Shaughnessy’s accident, first there was a sigh of relief that the officer was not seriously injured. Then, once it was determined the bicycle was damaged beyond repair, BGI President and Founder Randy Clark opted to donate a replacement bike for the officer to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). The new bicycle, a Trek 2010 Police Bike, was presented to Sgt. Shaughnessy on Tuesday, December 22, 2009. (Photo L-R: Joey Antico, BGI Fitness Commercial Division, Sgt. Joshua Shaughnessy, Sgt. Robert Hipple).

“It is my vision that Indianapolis become as bike-friendly as possible and that includes having active bicycle patrolmen with quality equipment. BGI has been involved with outfitting bicycle police and security officers for many years. We wanted to take this opportunity to give back to the community and to those who serve us day in and day out, keeping the city safer. It is truly our pleasure to support our local police force and we all very happy that the accident didn't result in any major injuries to those involved.”  Randy Clark, founder and president of Bicycle Garage Indy / BGI Fitness.

“I’d like to thank BGI for making such a significant contribution to community policing in Indianapolis. This patrol bike will enable officers to more effectively deter crime through proactive crime fighting initiatives. On behalf of IMPD, we are very grateful to BGI for their donation and positive role in the community,” Sgt. Joshua Shaughnessey.

CIBA Foundation Donates 4 bicycles to IMPDIn addition to the police bicycle donated from Bicycle Garage Indy/BGI Fitness, there were four mountain bikes (Giant Yukons) and helmets (Trek Vapor) presented by CIBA Foundation board member Irwin Prince. The bikes and helmets were provided to the IMPD by a $2500 grant from CIBA Foundation. CIBA Foundation has given more than $220,000 in grants supporting all forms of bicycling. Through its grant program, the foundation strives to provide resources to partner organizations that support its goal of promoting the benefits of cycling to the community.

Sgt. Robert Hipple, IMPD Bicycle Liaison, states “The four bicycles will allow IMPD Downtown District Officers to continue policing by bicycle while in a plainclothes capacity. The IMPD Bicycle officers appreciate the tremendous support from the CIBA Foundation and the Indiana cycling community.”

(Photo L-R: Irwin Prince, CIBA Foundation, Sgt. Joshua Shaugnessy, Sgt. Robert Hipple.)


Connie Szabo Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy / BGI Fitness
Indianapolis & Greenwood, IN
cschmucker@bgindy.com

Pattie's New Bike

Friday, November 20, 2009 by Connie Schmucker
This year, several women learned the joys of bicycling in a fun group through Nothing But Us Chicks rides. Pattie came to her first group ride in July. At the time she was riding a hybrid bike, but with most of the rest of the group on road bikes, she had to work harder on her bike. She started renting road bikes from BGI for the evening rides and liked the feeling of freedom she got when riding a lighter, more responsive bike. So at BGI's Labor Day Sale, Pattie picked out a beauty! Pattie bought a Giant Avail 3 W. She was so excited she rode it that same day and texted me while on her first ride: "I'm on my new bike!" (I have to assume she was stopped at the time!)

Pictures of Pattie and her new bike when she rode it on the Monon:



Pattie has gone on several bike rides since then. The last time I rode with her in October, I had a hard time keeping up!

Connie Szabo Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy/BGI Fitness
Indianapolis & Greenwood, IN
cschmucker@bgindy.com

Fenders For The All Season Rider

Monday, November 2, 2009 by Jay Hardcastle
Touring bike with fendersMy first extended tour was 11 days and 900 miles, riding from Toledo, Ohio to St. Ignace, Michigan, and back.  It rained 7 of those 11 days; not rain showers, but all day, record breaking, cats and dogs cloud burst rain.  That was over 500 soaking wet miles. At the end of the trip, everything with bearings on my one year old bike needed to re-packed, and the headset and bottom bracket had to be replaced.  Ever since I have never toured without fenders, and they stay year round on my touring/wet weather bike.  I also keep fenders on the bike I ride for bicycle commuting in Indianapolis.
 
With routine care and maintenance, it is fine to get caught in the rain on your bike.  It is when you regularly ride in wet conditions that you want to consider fenders. The muddy streak running up your back is just half the story.  That grime is also being dumped on the exposed moving parts of your bike (chain, headset, bottom bracket and pedals), shortening their time between maintenance and usable life.  And when you ride year round or on early spring training rides, you also expose your bike to the sand, salt and other chemicals used on the roads during the winter.  
 
There are many styles of fenders available from Bicycle Garage. From Giant, we have theGiant Splendor, Half Fendor Splendor Full and Half Length Fenders.  Partial length fenders are more common for mountain bikes, which must stop mud but still have wide clearance to prevent mud build up.  If you don’t want a dedicated wet weather bike, clip on fenders like thePlanet Bike Freddy Fender Planet Bike Freddy Fenders are available for road or mountain bikes, and can be installed and removed without tools. These are just a few of the brands and styles available at BGI.
 

Along with protecting your bike from the elements, fenders are also part of your personal rain gear.  Your feet and legs stay dryer, and your clothing and gear are protected from from road grit and grime.  And if you are commuting, you co-workers will appreciate that!