Faced with the fickle British weather and a frustration with existing mudguard designs, British cyclists Dan McMahon and Patrick Laing have produced the Plume.
Like a butterfly proboscis, the stainless steel Plume recoils when not in use; the simplicity of the design reflecting that of the bicycle itself. Unlike most mudguards, Plume is super-thin, and made from materials that won’t snap, crack, or bend out of shape.
The Plume has a mount that stretches to fit standard seat post sizes, with no need for tools, shims or screws. Made from rubber, it is designed to absorb shocks so the mudguard doesn’t recoil until you want it to.
More information at plumemudguard.com
Win a Plume mudguard
We don’t know if it’s vanity or masochism that stops most of us British cyclists from fitting mudguards – a habit that seems especially perverse given our country’s wet weather – but we thought it was a good idea to give away a Plume mudguard worth £28. Leave us a message at the bottom of this page and we will pick a winner next week.
Environmentally friendly cycle insurance
On the face of it, one cycle insurance policy is much like another, but the devil is the detail. How much excess you will be charged is just one of the things that varies wildly between providers. Another is so called ‘new-for-old’ replacement – many insurers use this term, but if your bicycle is more than a few years old, they devalue it severely. This means you are left out of pocket when you come to replace it. Read our insider guide to cycle insurance.
Furthermore, every cycle insurance policy you buy from us helps support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner, safer transport future.
ETA cycle insurance has a low standard excess of 5% (minimum £25) and offers a new-for-old for life – however old the bike, if it’s stolen you get enough to buy a new model.
For over 26 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered. We never devalue bikes no matter their age, allow you to buy your replacement bike wherever you like, replace stolen quick release components and handle claims in-house.
The Good Shopping Guide rated us ethical in Britain.
Mike Rankin
I’m ready to try it out!
A very innovative product!
Stuart Hayes
I’d love this!
Ben Pendery
What a great product!
Lucy Delap
Smart design
Pete
Vanity. Definitely vanity. This is a great idea. Gimme gimme gimme…
George Baker
Great idea and looks great too. Nearly as great as the gritting bike your website featured.
Keith Quinton
Looks good and easy to print promo messages on. Freebie with insurance ETA? 😉
Hate mounting traditional mudguards.
John
yes please! keep my arse dry as possible!
matteob
Ingenious: I would love one as I think normal mudguards are ugly. If I don’t win I will buy.
Brian Smith
Looks fantastic I want one.
Bill
Very clever!…Surprised I haven’t seen these about yet.
Mark B
I’d love a plume!
Peter Clark
My aunt would love this; la plume de ma tante if you will
Laura
Looks like the snapbands of my childhood! Hope it doesn’t snap back, mid-service, but I’d be keen to put it to the test…
Helen Taylor-Carter
don’t plummet, plume it, in the rain
Kate Oliver
Fantastic! Aged 62, in June I’m off to Bulgaria for two weeks’ cycle touring in the mountains. Some of the roads are unmade up. As a small woman with a small bicycle frame, there’s not enough space between my frame and a fatter-than-usual tyre suitable for the rough roads to fit a standard mudguard. The Plume would be ideal. Thank you!
Norman Rose
It’s the only thing missing on rainy days on my bike
Simon M
Emergency soggy butt preventer, I like it!
Simon Ward
Obligatory inplumetory comment
Phil
Cool
Kathy Cowbrough
Great idea, I like mud guards but most take up a lot of space and add some weight.
Rob Lewis
Just what I need for my mountain bike – I just hope it doesn’t retract as I’m going through a puddle!
James
Sounds a great idea up to try one
Francis Voon
Neat!
Gordon May
Great idea!
Roger Birchall
Wold be great to try one!!
Nigel Mattock
Hmm, looks a bit like those party nicknacks that when you blow them a ‘tongue’ extends … together with a ‘raspberry’ sound. Neat solution for wet bum !
TD
Brill!
Murray Banks
Absolutely brilliant idea. Very quick and easy to use and folds nicely away. Great and interchangeable for all you bikes when needed.
Riss
Defo would need this! I despise riding in the wet purely cause you get a wet back and bum from the tyre spray.
Clive Jones
Genius idea. I’m in!
The next Lance
SNAPPY idea!
Phoebe
Save me from getting muddy, I’d love one!
Owain Williams
Bike can still look cool without a big muddy stripe up your backside
Tar
Nice idea
Austin
Looks like a snap bracelet
Perry
Recoiling mudguard, brilliant idea
David
It might prevent the ” I may have a bowel problem” look.
Darrel hier
A go pro and now this. snap chat will never be the same !
Mark D
This looks like a brilliant idea
Yonas Tita
Great idea and looks very good. Would live this on my hybrid on my daily commute. Great articles ETA
Brian Ardron
I am now 80 years old, and have bought a folding e-bike to give me a greater range than walking. A conventional mudguard has to be removed for folding, and a Plume would much more effective, as it would not need to be removed.