If the answer to either of these questions is no, you’re more than likely looking at clip-on guards – although it is possible to fit full guards to bikes without mounting points by using P-clips (available from DIY stores, but look for ones with rubber linings to protect delicate frames). Length and style

There are, broadly speaking, two types of fender / mudguard: those for frames with mudguard eyes –‘fixed mudguards’– and those for frames without, known as clip-on mudguards. Of course even if your bike has mudguard eyes there’s no reason why you can’t use clip-ons if you’re looking for a lightweight, easily removable solution. Why fit fenders / mudguards? The other advantage of these mudguards is that they offer the most protection to the bicycle. They keep all the water and mud away from the rim brake callipers (if your bike has them), which really don't like being dowsed in gritty water, and it's the same for the front derailleur. They also keep water away from a saddle bag and rear light that you might have attached to the saddle/seatpost, so that's another plus for mudguards.Depending on what kind of mudguards your bike can take, you’ll also want to consider what length of mudguard your bike should wear. Other rivals include Bontrager with their NCS fenders / mudguards that are longer and easier to fit, but more expensive and the Portland Design Works Full Metal Fenders which are absolutely brilliant but are more than double the price of the Bluemels Basics. Riding your bike in the winter without a mudguard is likely to result in you turning up at your destination like you've been dragged through the proverbial hedge. However, mudguards aren't just about keeping your clothes clean - they also help to keep your feet and legs dry and warm, as well as protecting your bike's frame and components.

We don't really need to say much here other than these are a must for your off-road adventure. Even on a dry day, you're likely to be cycling through mud and well... it's in the name. You'll need an MTB front mudguard as well as an MTB rear mudguard.There are fenders / mudguards which do provide more coverage at a similar price - even within SKS’s own range, such as the SKS Longboards. If wet weather protection is most important to you, the choice between the two is pretty obvious. But there will be those who prefer the tidier looks of the Bluemels Basics. Suited to bikes that don’t have the standard fixing points, SKS Raceblades instead strap directly onto the fork blades and seatstays. A favourite among riders who want to keep using their best road bike through winter, the current version is a significant improvement on previous models. But that said, you perfectly well attach your own mudflaps to the Bluemels Basic and extend their spray protection that way. It’s simple (and cheap) enough to fashion a set from a few sheets of rubber - and there are even brands which offer funky designs, such as Raw Mudflap.