Are mudguards "components" or "accessories"?

[Cyclist33]

1. Components, because they are fixated onto the bike; or
2. Accessories, because they are unnecessarily added to bikes; or
3. Other, because they need further debate prior to confirmation?

Stu

 

[MikeW-71]

According to Wiggle, they are components.... I see them as Accessories (an optional extra) which explains why it took a bit of searching to find them there

 

[Accy cyclist]

I'd say accessories as they aren't needed to make a bike work. A bike's components would be such things as the handlebars,the peddles,the chain and the gears as the bike would be useless without them.

 

[biggs682]

depends how hard its raining

 

[vernon]

The wrong question has been asked.

It should have been: 'Which colour mudguard is the fastest?'

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The wrong question has been asked.

It should have been: 'Which colour mudguard is the fastest?'

depends on the colour of the bike they are attached to surely?

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Mudguards with a stripe on are fastest, its a universally known fact that if you want something to go faster , paint a stripe on it.

 

[User33236]

Mudguards with a stripe on are fastest, its a universally known fact that if you want something to go faster , paint a stripe on it.

That's where I've been going wrong! Should the stripe match or contrast the bike for best effect?

To answer OP I see my Topeak Defender mudguard most defiantly as an accessory as I forgot to refit in after washing my bike on Sunday and, miraculously, it was still rideable for my commute yesterday.

 

[asterix]

They are vital when descending mountains in heavy rain.. ..having been in a group who sneered at my 'guards before having to descend the Tourmalet in first a showstorm then torrential rain. How I laughed as I passed them walking down hoping to be picked up by the minibus. I still have mild pangs of guilt in case I took all the hotel's hot water before they got there.

 

[asterix]

[QUOTE 2883636, member: 45"]Mudguards are a waste of time. They're only designed to deflect water up to 15kmph.[/quote]

Experience has shown that to be bollocks.

 

[Beebo]

According to Wiggle, they are components.... I see them as Accessories (an optional extra) which explains why it took a bit of searching to find them there

That's odd, Evans says they're Accessories.
Only one way to find out................FIGHT!!!!!!!

 

[tyred]

Mudguards with a stripe on are fastest, its a universally known fact that if you want something to go faster , paint a stripe on it.

Tried that with a 957cc Fiesta years ago. Didn't work

 

[Fnaar]

That's odd, Evans says they're Accessories.
Only one way to find out................FIGHT!!!!!!!

Googlefight (for some reason in French):
http://www.googlefight.com/index.ph...guards+accessories&word2=mudguards+components

 

[James Ots]

[QUOTE 2883636, member: 45"]Mudguards are a waste of time. They're only designed to deflect water up to 15kmph.[/quote]

I accidentally rode through a deeper puddle than I expected the other day (about 8 inches) with mudguards on, and I got soaked event though I was only going at about 5 km/h. I'm not sure how I managed to go so slowly though, as my mudguards have a reflective stripe on them.

 

[MarkF]

I won't even use them on long tours, I am sure they are very useful but they are aesthetically displeasing and so I'd rather be cold and wet.