ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Bicycle fender

A bicycle fender is like a shield that goes over the wheels of a bike to protect you and your clothes from getting dirty or wet when you ride through puddles or in the rain. It's just like when you hold an umbrella over your head to keep the rain off, but for your bike!

Imagine you and your bike going on a ride on a rainy day. You might ride through some big puddles, and without a fender, the water from the tires would splash up and get all over you. But if you have a fender, it will catch the water and make sure it doesn't reach you. It's like a little barrier between you and the dirty water.

Now, let's talk about how a fender works. Fenders are usually made of a strong and flexible material, like plastic or metal. They are shaped like half circles and are attached to the front and back wheels of the bike.

When the wheels spin around, they flick water and dirt up into the air. But because the fender is there, it catches all of that messy stuff and stops it from flying up and hitting you. The fender directs the water and dirt down to the ground instead. So, you might see little drops falling down from the fender, but that's much better than getting all wet and dirty yourself!

Fenders are attached to the bike using special clips or screws. They are designed to fit perfectly over the wheels, so they stay in place and don't move around while you're riding. That way, they can do their job of protecting you!

Sometimes, fenders also have little flaps at the bottom called mud flaps. These flaps hang down a bit lower and help to catch any extra water or mud that might try to sneak around the sides of the fender. They are like the goalie in soccer who stops the ball from going past the net.

Overall, a bicycle fender is a simple but important part of a bike. It helps keep you clean and dry while you have fun riding, even if there's water or mud on the road. So, next time it's raining outside, don't forget to thank your fender for keeping you nice and clean!
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