Mudguards are an essential accessory for a practical bike - they'll keep the water and mud off your clothes, and prevent it getting on your bike as well. They're not only useful when it's raining - they'll protect you from any puddles you might ride through after the rain stops as well.

We have both plastic and metal mudguards. The metal ones are generally a bit more expensive, and fiddlier to install, but they're stronger and should last longer. They're also less likely to rattle.