I've been wondering about that front fender all day. With it's limited reach, it didn't really protect the rider- except perhaps his face from spray? The other option was keeping dripping water off the front water bottles off the rims/brake. I dunno?
Also, I was watching a video on the seat stay/chain stay shifters and that riders from that time preferred them due to a positive feel in shifting, basically knowing where they were compared to cable shifters. Perhaps that was posted here. I can't keep up anymore with what
i watch.