Originally Posted by clasher

Good call on a partial chain guard, I found that most of the gunk on my chain came from the front wheel, so whatever fenders you put on I'd recommend a big mudflap to get complete coverage... I think this year I'm going to use an old oil jug or something. There are lots of DIY instructions if you search them out.

If you didn't have wheels already I'd suggest using sturmey-archer drum brake hubs, they're super nice for the winter, the brakes and gears (IGH) are all sealed and the drums are enough to stop my 220lbs safely. No bent rotors, can get dynamos too so no dead batteries for the lights... but this crap starts to get expensive unless you can build your high power LED system.