Here’s a top tip picked at random from Bike Easy.

Tip number 15. Guards! Guards!

Mudguards add a little weight to a bike and fractionally impair its aerodynamic efficiency. And if you routinely ride through thick mud or hurtle through swamps the gap ‘twixt guard and wheel can get blocked and the bike will shudder to a halt. These things matter if you’re a racing cyclist or a serious mountain biker. However, for the majority of cyclists, especially those who want to look presentable when they arrive at their destination, mudguards are extremely useful. They keep both you and the bike clean.

Mudguards should really be standard equipment on city bikes, tourers or hybrids. Get them fitted if not, and choose mudguards that fasten to the frame with proper metal stays rather than plastic clip-on ones which shake loose all too easily.

Another top tip will appear next week.