Originally Posted by
unterhausen
it's not a bad idea to have a plate. Otherwise you run the risk of crushing the stays. Seen many nice bikes and some not so nice bikes with crushed stays
It's also a spiffy item to mount the front of the fender to, and is a lot easier and quicker to install than a bridge. They also sell half-rounds to help protect your stays if you don't have a plate, but the plate is better.