Mark Bulgier wrote:
> Aldo Ross showed us a picture:
>
>> Seventy-One Years Ago
>>
>> Milan - San Remo, 1936. Sheltered beneath a spectator's umbrella,
>> Learco Guerra (g.s. Legnano) waits in vain for a new wheel.
>> [snip]
>> http://www.wooljersey.com/
>
> Looks like Guerra's Legnano has the little front fender that only
> extends forward of the fork crown. I suppose the idea is, that's the
> part needed to prevent the mud that flings into the riders eyes?
> Anyone
> know the real rationale from period accounts?
>
> It sure doesn't weigh much or slow a racer down, it's just strange to
> these modern eyes to see any fender on a pro racer's bike on race day.
>
> Mark Bulgier
> Seattle WA USA
The front fender was a two piece affair, with the short front fender section bolted under the lock nut of the brake caliper (not so easy to take off fast). The rear section of the front fender and the rear fender were easy to take off for a race and were used for training in the winter. Race bikes usually had fender eyelets back in the day (pre 1970s).
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, CA USA
http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)