Requests for an Intend mudguard have been hitting our inbox for about two years. Up until recently, our biggest obstacle was simply finding someone willing to share with us this rare fork so we could model it accurately and constantly check the fitment throughout the process. Everything changed at the end of 2025 when we finally got in touch with Intend. Based in Freiburg, they are the absolute pioneers of USD fork technology, and their components are pure bicycle jewelry – both stunningly beautiful and highly functional. They were looking for a partner capable of taking on the challenge and engineering a proper fender that could match the demands of such a unique, uncompromised suspension architecture.
Cornelius and his team were incredibly supportive and shipped over the actual test forks, allowing us to achieve a flawless factory fit. The result of this partnership is the new CM (Crown Mounted) fender, specifically dedicated to two of their flagship models: the Intend Flash 35 and Intend Flash 38.
CM Design & 3-Point Mount
Upside-down forks require a completely different approach to design. The absence of a traditional fork arch meant we had to go with a high, crown-mounted setup (CM fender). To ensure the structure remains rock-solid and rattle-free on the roughest trails, we engineered a unique 3-point mounting system:
- Two side clamps that secure the fender onto the upper tubes right beneath the lower crown.
- Utilizing the steerer tube top cap – Intend forks feature a specific screw-in plug at the bottom of the steerer tube (designed to keep dirt out). We repurposed this component into our main central mounting anchor.
By locking into these three points, the fender remains incredibly stable, eliminates vibration, and offers superior suspension protection without compromising on that premium USD look.
Field Tested at Trans Madeira
The very first production sample of our Flash 38 fender is already out in the wild, undergoing the ultimate real-world test. It landed straight in the hands of Leo Kokkonen, who is currently putting it through its paces at the brutal Trans Madeira enduro race. Leo is running our front and rear fenders on his latest Pole Hiisi bike. There is no better testing ground than the harsh, unforgiving terrain of Madeira to prove exactly what this new design can handle under race conditions.
Why No "Racing" Version? The Honest Truth
With this release, we want to address a question we get a lot: “Will there be a racing version (low-mounted, right above the wheel)?”.
To be completely honest with you: we haven’t figured out yet how to make it work for these specific models. We know why you’re asking – on our very first USD fork project years ago, we actually managed to create a low-mounted fender. This might have given the impression that it’s a simple task across the board. However, the reality of engineering is that every fork is a different story. The lower guard design and work specifications of the Intend Flash 35 and 38 forks are incredibly complex, and so far, we haven’t figured out a way to design a secure, reliable wheel-mounted fender for them. For now, the high CM mount is the only logical, uncompromised solution that meets our standards.
Fenders for both Intend Flash models are now officially available in our store, coming in our standard four sizes. If you want to complement your German high-end engineering with proper protection, check the link below!
0 Comments