Originally Posted by Michel Gagnon
Maybe it's a climate thing, or a convenience thing, but I feel that a fenderless bike is a naked bike. So I have fenders year round, which means they are always there if there is rain or snow.
For full coverage, add mudflaps such as
these on both wheels. The front one will keep your feet dry and your drivetrain clean; the rear one will keep your children clean.
I have found mudflaps and fenders to definitely be a climate thing. When I lived in Seattle, the rainy season bike had fenders, the summer bike did not. In Virginia, none of my bikes have them. Although our trailer has a removable built in spray guard for when we do get caught in the rain.
For tires, I'd go with high pressure and narrow, 1.5 or less and 80 psi and above. Your road miles will be much faster and the tires should be handle light off road. Of course if you want to do technical off road, get dedicated tires or if you have more to spend, dedicated rims and tires.