Fifty Plus (50+) - Info needed...

I've been reading a little about this dreaded "dork disk." Now that I know what it is I need to know what to do about it. If I remove it what are the chances I will regret the decision when I have a chain come off and tear things up? On the other hand, will I now have to go around hoping the cool guy with the tight bike shorts and colorful jersey riding the $2,000 bike will not be laughing at me when he passes...:eek: Now I've always been practical before cool...well at least in my later years...so I need some help here, cool or practical?

And while I'm at it, what about helmets? Do most of you wear them? At first I felt like a little kid but now I think they're a good thing...any thoughts? ;)

Only dorks don't wear helmets.

Only dorks don't wear helmets.


:D Yeah but what about the disk?

Lose the dork disk.... if your rear der is set up right you will never need it. However if your bike was set up by that pimpley faced kid at Walmart keep it on...... you will need it. :D

I choose to exercise my OCP nature by ensuring that I have the best, shiniest chrome dork disk I can find. I shun plastic dork disks.... they're not pretty!

Ride the dork disk with pride... If the person passing you laughs, just know that you brightened his/her day. And besides, someone may laugh so hard that you are able to pass them. :D

Oh, and I always wear a helmet.

I choose to exercise my OCP nature by ensuring that I have the best, shiniest chrome dork disk I can find. I shun plastic dork disks.... they're not pretty!

Ride the dork disk with pride... If the person passing you laughs, just know that you brightened his/her day. And besides, someone may laugh so hard that you are able to pass them. :D


Well mine's plastic. OK...that's it. I'm on my way to the garage as we speak. :crash:

Please wear a helmet especially if you are anywhere near a car.

Please wear a helmet especially if you are anywhere near a car.

I ride motorcycles as well...woudn't be caught dead without it...so to speak. ;)

When I was younger, it was really important to have all the "right stuff" on my bike. So I had to have Campag Record stuff, I had to have an Italian frame. When Sean Kelly was using Mavic stuff, it was then OK to have Mavic retrofriction levers and a Vitus frame.

But now that I'm in my 50's with a lifetime of riding bikes, I couldn't care less what I've got on the bike as long as it works. I've got a Centaur rear derailleur and Daytona shifters on my Trek 5200 (well, the shifters are actually Centaur, but I think Centaur is a really dumb name for a component group, so I replaced the brake lever (it says "Centaur" on it) unit with the ones from a set of Daytona shifters (yup, they've got "Daytona" written on them, much cooler)). My tandem has got Tektro mini-V brakes on the front and a set of very long reach Tektro dual pivots on the back (which cost me $9.95 from Bike Tools Etc. in Oregon). My fixed gear bike is a hodge-podge of components that were cast off of other bikes to make room for even fancier components, or components I am testing for reliability in Vancouver wet winter riding.

So I would say, if you are a mature and experienced cyclist, you shouldn't really care what's on your bike as long as it works. I would keep the dork disk on if only to lull some dumb hot dog into trying to blow past you. The poor devil will feel even worse when you drop him on the hill with your dork disk, heh, heh...

And wear a helmet if you think you're capable of going fast enough to need one.

- L.

I must confess...I had mine removed from my Sirrus hybrid...my Bianchi came without one...to tell you the truth...I don't really think much about it.

The dork disc will probably break eventually. Then you can tear it off and not replace it.
Only wear a helmet if you have a brain to protect.

If you don't wear a helmet please be extra sure to sign the back of your driver's license for organ donation. Organ and tissue donation saves lives.

The helmet, safety vest, slow moving vehicle sign, and plastic dork disk all contribute my stylish cyclist image.

26531

I ride motorcycles as well...woudn't be caught dead without it...so to speak. ;)


You have a dork disc on your motorcycle?:D

I choose to exercise my OCP

What is OCP? please

What is OCP? please
"Occassionally Classy Prince" or "...Princess"

Metric Man needs to follow Little Darwin's advice and replace the plastic with chrome. You should be able to find one at any respectable dump. They are very classic. In fact they are hip. Here's a few pics of this important bike component on a few of my rides; a mid '60s, an early '70s (prior to proper restoration), and a late '70s vintage "Spoke Protectors." Please don't insult the genious of the engineers who devoloped this essential piece of bicycle history by refering to it as a "Dork Disk." Thank you very much! ;)

What is OCP? please

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder...I think. ;)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder...I think. ;)

It has been modified for bicycling - please note its frequent use in the Roadie forum.

Obsessive Compulsive Poseur

And - who cares what others think, anyway?

I keep my dork disks on until they fall off.

Dork disks add to the flywheel effect of your rotating tire. Thus you will be able to go farther with less effort when you hit the flat at the end of your downhill speed run. It can even help you on the uphills. The small amount of energy you expend to get the disk up to speed will pay dividends. I am thinking of getting one in say a 25 inch diameter made of depleted uranium. Once I get it up to speed I won't have to pedal again for 20 miles!

:D :D :D

(For those OCP's that may pop in from the road forum, this is a joke.)

The helmet, safety vest, slow moving vehicle sign, and plastic dork disk all contribute my stylish cyclist image.

26531

Looks like me, only skinnier.

Dork disks add to the flywheel effect of your rotating tire. Thus you will be able to go farther with less effort when you hit the flat at the end of your downhill speed run. It can even help you on the uphills. The small amount of energy you expend to get the disk up to speed will pay dividends. I am thinking of getting one in say a 25 inch diameter made of depleted uranium. Once I get it up to speed I won't have to pedal again for 20 miles!

:D :D :D

(For those OCP's that may pop in from the road forum, this is a joke.)

Why didn't I think of that? Depleted uranium dork plates.....may have to sneak on Fort Hood and lift a few anti-tank rounds.

Obsessive Compulsive Poseur

And - who cares what others think, anyway?

I keep my dork disks on until they fall off.

"Obvious Cycling Priss"

Chrome ones have better longevity. They'll last for many decades!

And please, give the honor and due to the mechanic or engineer who invented them--- "Spoke Protectors!"

"Obvious Cycling Priss"

Chrome ones have better longevity. They'll last for many decades!

Then I would have to play mechanic trying to figure out how to mount them, I would get mad and say some things unpastorly, and break something else, ending up with an expensive bill at the LBS!

Keep the disk and wear the helmet...enough said.

Wear a helmet and loose the disk. Set your derailer (SB spelling) stop so you never hit the big cog since you would probably be cross chaining with it anyway, off you go now.

I have never had a spoke protector on any of my bikes but I doubt I'd bother removing one if I did, if the look of one bothered me I'd have my mechanic remove it when he did normal service on that wheel.
As far as the helmet goes; I asked the brain injury patients that I work with what they thought and they said to tell you that you should wear one. They seemed kind of emphatic about it for some reason.

........And wear a helmet if you think you're capable of going fast enough to need one. - L.
Would it be more accurate to say: "Wear a helmet unless you think you are fast enough to not need one."

Then I would have to play mechanic trying to figure out how to mount them, I would get mad and say some things unpastorly, and break something else, ending up with an expensive bill at the LBS!

Oh Denver! It's easy!
1. Deflate tube. Remove tire, tube and rim tape.
2. Loosen all the spokes and remove the spoke nipples.
3. Remove the rim from the spokes and hubs.
4. Remove as many spokes as possible.
5. Remove the cassette or freewheel depending on the type of hubs you have.
6. Remove the plastic spoke protector.
7. Add the chrome spoke protector.
8. Reverse the above beginning at 5 and work back to 2.
9. True wheel, tension spokes.
10. Install rim tape, tire, tube and inflate tire.

Of course you can just skip steps 1-4 and 8-10. But it is still easy. A cassette or freewheel and Park's chainwhip tools are all you need. I have a spare chrome spoke protector. It would look spiffy on your LeMond.

"Ordinary Cycling Pastor"

Oh Denver! It's easy!
1. Deflate tube. Remove tire, tube and rim tape.
2. Loosen all the spokes and remove the spoke nipples.
3. Remove the rim from the spokes and hubs.
4. Remove as many spokes as possible.
5. Remove the cassette or freewheel depending on the type of hubs you have.
6. Remove the plastic spoke protector.
7. Add the chrome spoke protector.
8. Reverse the above beginning at 5 and work back to 2.
9. True wheel, tension spokes.
10. Install rim tape, tire, tube and inflate tire.

Of course you can just skip steps 1-4 and 8-10. But it is still easy. A cassette or freewheel and Park's chainwhip tools are all you need. I have a spare chrome spoke protector. It would look spiffy on your LeMond.

"Ordinary Cycling Pastor"

Sounds like a sermon gone awry! :D

Wear a helmet and loose the disk. Set your derailer (SB spelling) stop so you never hit the big cog since you would probably be cross chaining with it anyway, off you go now.
Spoken (no pun intended) like a true Floridian. :D If you visit the Rockies, you just might need that big cog. :eek:

I love my dork disk. I never leave home without it. :D

Spoken (no pun intended) like a true Floridian. :D If you visit the Rockies, you just might need that big cog. :eek:

And I have a triple as well, just a waste of weight since I have used my FD twice this year. 5 gears is enough for 95% of my rides.:o

Why is it so important to wear a helmet when removing the dork disc? :-)

Lose the dork disk.... if your rear der is set up right you will never need it. However if your bike was set up by that pimpley faced kid at Walmart keep it on...... you will need it. :D

Set the rear derailler up so that the chain cannot over-run the Largest sprocket on your cassette and keep the Dork Disk for when it does.

Set the rear derailler up so that the chain cannot over-run the Largest sprocket on your cassette and keep the Dork Disk for when it does.

Why is it so important to wear a helmet when removing the dork disc?

I love my dork disk. I never leave home without it.
I'm on a mission. The correct term is "Spoke Protector." We wouldn't say "I need to check the tension on my dork." Or "I just broke my dork." Or, "I just upgraded my wheelset to double butted dorks." Or "I polished the chrome on my dork." Just taking up for the bike lover who holds the patent. ;) :p :D

I'm on a mission. The correct term is "Spoke Protector." We wouldn't say "I need to check the tension on my dork." Or "I just broke my dork." Or, "I just upgraded my wheelset to double butted dorks." Or "I polished the chrome on my dork." Just taking up for the bike lover who holds the patent. ;) :p :D

I don't know who it is, but you should have a conversation (prayer?) with the patron saint of lost causes, Pastor Bob. And I know, I know, you ain't even Catholic! :)

Just saying...

I'm on a mission. The correct term is "Spoke Protector." We wouldn't say "I need to check the tension on my dork." Or "I just broke my dork." Or, "I just upgraded my wheelset to double butted dorks." Or "I polished the chrome on my dork." Just taking up for the bike lover who holds the patent. ;) :p :DPolishing the chrome on your own dork is one thing. But what do I say to the customer who asks me to make sure to polish the chrome on their dork when I tune their bike up?
"I don't do dorks" or "Your dork is shiny enough". or even worse, "Would you like your dork spit polished?"

Yeah, I like spoke protector better also. Or plastic thingy ma bob. Anyting but dork.

Looks like me, only skinnier.

yeah, me too.

Yesterday, I took a beautiful fall foliage ride on my Coppertone Collegiate. The colors where gorgeously reflected in the chrome bits, especially in it's well engineered chrome spoke protector. :)

Has anyone considered the aero effect that the disk has in smoothing out the airflow between the rear of the cassette and the hub. There seems to be a performance conflict here. The possibility of reducing 4/5 grams of weight (rotatng at that) vs the aero effeciency that may eleminate 2/3 additional pedal strokes on the next ride.

Seriously however, the thing isn't necessary "if nothing goes wrong". Mountain bikers however can tell bad stories about striking something on the trail with the rear derailleur and bending it inward. Keeping the derailleur and chain out of the spokes can be a good thing, especially at speed.
On the other hand, there are rare instances where the thing causes trouble with the placement of the cassette (some of these disks mount pinned between the cassette and the hub instead of just clipped to the spokes).
I guess like all things, you have to weigh the differences and decide accordingly.

I'm on a mission. The correct term is "Spoke Protector." We wouldn't say "I need to check the tension on my dork." Or "I just broke my dork." Or, "I just upgraded my wheelset to double butted dorks." Or "I polished the chrome on my dork." Just taking up for the bike lover who holds the patent. ;) :p :D

Don't forget we can also go with the alternative nickname, and call them pie plates. :D

And please, give the honor and due to the mechanic or engineer who invented them--- "Spoke Protectors!"
Hey Bob, Did you put one on your paramount?

Hey Pastor Bob-I bet you also get a lot of compliments on your kickstand as well!!

Hey Bob, Did you put one on your paramount?
Interesting that you ask. Unfortunately the Paramount frame and fork still reside among motorcycles and cars at the pinstripper's shop, longing for the companionship of other bicycles. A decal fell apart when applied but a replacement arrived so I'm hoping that in a few weeks they will work me in among their bigger jobs and finish the clearcoat. I have little hope of riding it before the snow flys.

As for a Spoke Protector on a Paramount, my model didn't come with one in 1966. I do however have a beautiful chrome one from the dump that might look rather nice. ;) I hope no one notices I've removed the Spoke Protector from the blue '79 Traveler. :eek:


Hey Pastor Bob-I bet you also get a lot of compliments on your kickstand as well!!
When you pedal old bikes, kickstands are all the rage. Besides, they let you stand your bike in places of beauty for those obligatory pictures we must all post, not just in front of a boring garage door. :p