Review on Topeak DeFender Mountain Bike Fender by Bryan Reed

Based on my previous experience of Topeak quality, I bought this with confidence. However, I was very disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the fender isn't bad, it just doesn't live up to the standards I've come to expect from Topeak. First the good: 1) The blade is actually very strong and appears to be well made. 2) It is well defined and offers exceptional coverage. (The product listed is for a 26" MTB tire, but from the photos you can see that the Defender is mounted on a 700C/29" wheel with 38mm tires. The coverage is both in width more than adequate in length as well and can be used with much larger tires)3) it looks fantastic on the bike and actually enhances the look of the bike rather than looking like a misplaced addition that many fenders do. 4) Very easy to assemble and thanks to the hinge provided by the two pivot points it is very easy to achieve a precise fit for maximum coverage. 5) The small front portion of the wing that juts forward from the lowest pivot point is extremely well thought out, providing coverage and protection that most wings in this area lack. This is one of the features I like most about this wing compared to others on the market. 6) Did I mention it looks amazing? one of the things I'm happiest with. I've included a few photos so you can see what it looks like, but they really don't do it justice. It looks a lot better live. So why such a low score? THE BAD: 1) The quick release clamp is ALL PLASTIC including the lever/cam. Also, it's cheap plastic, not hardened or reinforced. This is the clamp that must hold the wing in place and is therefore subjected to high loads. It must be made of alloy for strength and durability. This part won't last long, especially if you plan on removing and reinstalling the wing as many times as you like. Despite the fact that the wing is light, it is the clamping force, not the weight of the wing, that is most likely to cause the part to fail very quickly. With just a fairly light clamping force, you can see the plastic parts flex. I've included a closeup of the clamp, it's all cheap plastic as you can see, not alloy or even reinforced plastic. 2) The product description states that it can be installed on a seatpost with a diameter of 25.2mm to 31.8mm. FALSE, at least not in this package. The seatpost you see this on is a 27.2. I had to set this clamp to the highest possible setting to keep the wing stable at a distance. The collar diameter would be too large for a seatpost less than 27.2mm in diameter. You need to put in extra spacers, which I think I need to do even with my 27.2mm seatpost. 3) The bracket that holds the blade to the clip is made out of very cheap plastic. It's reinforced with some staples, but it's still cheap plastic and will definitely fail. It should be at least toughened or fiberglass. 4) If you plan on using this fender on anything more aggressive than the slickest of gravel/gravel roads or pavement, a cheap clamp mechanism won't hold the fender in place very well and will likely only accelerate clamp failure. The wing is very well constructed and without the cheap attachments would be the undisputed best wing of its kind on the market. Even if the price was a few euros higher as a result, it would have been worth it. But the best fender in the world is useless if it can't stay on the bike. It's a shame that such a well designed wing is ruined by cheap, flimsy mounting components. I hope Topeak will offer upgraded parts, I know I will need them. But now that the product is on the market, I wouldn't recommend it if you intend to use it more than occasionally. And if you only use it occasionally, you probably don't need a wing at all.