Notably, those cyclists who go without spoke protectors do so by choice. But before you join them, you need to weigh the risks against the cost of a spoke guard. Should I Remove My Spoke Guard? Some metal spoke protectors are significantly larger than the plastic ones found on cheaper bikes. The extra surface results in better protection. A plastic spoke protector, also known as a spoke guard, prevents the bike chain from falling off the cassette and getting caught in the spokes. However, with correct shifter limits properly set up, this issue should not occur. Therefore, a spoke protector is only necessary when gears are incorrectly adjusted. 3. Do you need washers on spoke nipples? Had I not adjusted the derailleur, the chain would have slowly eaten away my rear wheel. I say slowly because this short 50-meter climb was the only part of my commute necessitating the lowest gear. Technically, the misalignment could lead to involuntary gear shifting, which is known as gear slipping.

Having said that, the protector doesn’t offer 100% protection. For example, if the derailleur gets bent inward, it may reach the spokes in an area that the guard doesn’t cover. Does a Spoke Protector Have Any Other Benefits? Metal spoke protectors are harder to find. And since most bike shops do not store them, you will have to look for one on the Internet and wait a while until it’s in your possession. Another positive side of spoke guards is that they isolate the rear cogs and reduce the chances of contaminating the brake rotor and subsequently the brake pads with oil and dirt coming off the cassette and chain.The “correct” way to do it is to remove the cassette and pull it off. This takes a little bit of work and the appropriate tools. We have a full tutorial here: How to Replace a Mountain Bike Cassette (Step-By-Step Guide) How do I remove the dork disk without removing the cassette?

If the rider continues to pedal, the wheel will be damaged. But even if he/she immediately halts all pedaling effort, the chain will still harm the spokes because the wheel will keep on spinning due to the coasting hub. Also, many cyclists take great pride in being “hardcore” and stay away from products associated with beginners “who don’t know what they’re doing”. 2. Extra weightIt can also cause damage to other parts of the rear end of the bike. It can damage the derailleur, the derailleur hanger, the chain guide, the cassette, and even the rim or the frame of the bike itself. It could, in short, be a catastrophic accident. Spokes themselves, or chains, might not be too expensive to replace, but some of the other parts that could be damaged are much more expensive. The dork disc is designed to prevent such accidents from happening. Should I Take Off My Dork Disc? If you have gears on your bike, shifting incorrectly could cause the chain to slip. You want to make sure that your bike is in the right gear before jumping off a ramp or any other obstacle. Just 1 time of your chain getting lodged in there, and depending on how fast you are pedaling, could significantly damage the spokes.

A well adjusted rear derailleur keeps the chain as centered as possible over the cog of the cassette or freewheel in each gear.Prevents your chainset, wheel and frame from being scratched or scraped by the cassette when it shifts on rough terrain. This problem could be prevented by cleaning the wheel regularly, inspecting the area and replacing the guard when needed. 2. Wear and Tear In conclusion, a dork disc is mostly a personal preference. The argument can certainly be made that it is not necessary, but then the argument can also be made that it is not actually necessary to remove the dork disc. If you don’t have any of these, I would suggest taking your bike to a local shop to have them remove. Who Should Get A Spoke Protector And Who Shouldn’t

As mentioned in the introduction, the work of the spoke protector is mainly to prevent the chain from reaching the spokes. Mostly, if the derailleur is not well set, it pulls the chain laterally. When the misalignment is significant, it could lead to the chain dropping. Some bicycles come with a plastic disc slid between the largest cog of the cassette or freewheel and the spokes of the rear tire. Quality Shimano Rear Wheel Spoke Protector will last much longer and perform better than their cheaper counterparts. They are typically made with higher quality materials and are designed to withstand the wear and tear that comes with regular use. Investing in a high-quality Shimano Rear Wheel Spoke Protector means that you won’t have to replace it as frequently, saving you money. Going by what we discussed earlier in the post, it is evident the spoke guard plays a vital role in your bike. Therefore, the answer here is, yes, you need a spoke protector on your bike.

\n\t\t\tHalfords Essentials Wheel Spoke Reflectors Extra Info

If this happens, the spokes will get chewed up and could break if you don’t have a spoke protector on. Cheaper bicycles have entry-level components that do not operate as majestically as their “upgraded brothers” relying on the latest cycling technology. Meanwhile, plastic spoke protectors are readily available. Chances are that your local bike shops would give you one for free, especially if you’re a regular customer. Is it worth going to the effort of removing it if it doesn’t really matter? Modern dork discs are much less noticeable and intrusive on the look of the bike than on older models, but some people still do not like the look of them. Also, for riders who are not as confident in their own ability to perform maintenance on their bike, it is worth considering keeping the dork disc on so that they don’t have to worry about an accident caused by a poorly maintained drive train.