If the winter is going to be as bad as they say...

Yeah same goes for not having mudguard mounts on a lot of Alu "entry level" bikes... wish my Allez had some - I've had Crud MKIIs and they were pretty functional the only thing against them is the lack of sturdiness and consequential flopping about.

RaceBlade longs I've also tried and while sturdier they are still not as good as a set of guards with proper mounts due to all the little parts and fixtures... man I want a winter frame!

@koko56, I have 25's on my fixed for commuting and much prefer them to 23's on my roadie. Would love 25's but too little clearance on the roadie

I got a set of Roadracer MKII's and they have been great, my roadie has such tight clearance but they just about fit going to get a 2nd set for the fixed

Get out of bed-look out of window - choose kit - ride.
Easy.
Met office states there is no way to predict long term weather patterns.

Take a look at Portland Design Works Full Metal Fenders.

Full length with flaps and will fit most frames with or with eyelets.

You will need 23 tyres. They are easy to fit too.

Everyone who wants guards and sees mine would like some although I understand a week ago they were out of stock in the UK.

No rattles either on bad roads or putting your feet down on a climb or sprint.

I'd kill for a front mudguard that fits a Ribble Gran Fondo (my commuting hack). I've tried loads of different pairs, and have an SKS raceblade on the back, but there just isn't enough clearance under the front fork, and the shape of them doesn't fit under the downtube :(.

Neither of those 'guards are going to do any good to anyone other than yourself. Ass Savers make sense for solo rides, and they look reasonably stylish. The other piece of plastic you have on there is just plain ugly. Looks like a nice classic frame, I thought you'd have known better Jimmy!

"The forecasters say we are about to see artic[sic] conditions"
No, hacks do.
http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/winter-forecasting-respond...

There is no scientific way to predict weather weeks and months ahead accurately. What we know is, it is likely to be very cold at points and surprisingly warm at others. We can also rely on us Brits complaining about the weather regardless of what it does (take the hot summer, for example, and people moaning about the heat!).

With regard to mudguards, I fall in the "use full guards and at least try to protect the rider behind" camp. I've got a pair of Crud RoadRacer Mkiis and they are brilliant. They also protect the front mech.

Stop reading the Mail or the Express and winter will be just fine. If they predict Arctic conditions 12 times a year they will get one week right eventually.

Man wish my Allez '10 had mudguard mounts as I managed to snap the rear Race BLade Long through an unfortunate wheelie attempt on a bike path!

You just see a decent flap on the back of a mudguard these days...

People talk about being sociable with mudguards, but unless you have a massive flap, it really makes no difference to the ride behind whether you have guards or not.

Which reminds me, I must get myself a massive flap!

Ass-savers are antisocial! They protect you, but not anyone riding behind you.

Our autumn seems to be lasting forever!