Bicycle Mechanics - The plastic ring on the rear tire

Does anyone know if I need the plastic ring around the sprocet on the rear tire?

Thanks
Larry

Yes you do, the same Federal Authority that oversees removal of mattress and pillow tags oversees removal of the spoke protector. Remove it at your own risk, as you may end up doing hard time.:D

It's purpose it to keep the chain out of the spokes if the rear deraileur overshifts when shifting up to largest cog in the rear. Ya don't really need it, but it is cheap insurance.

Do a search for "Dork Disk (or Disc)." Some people are dorks, some are not. :)

Yes you do, the same Federal Authority that oversees removal of mattress and pillow tags oversees removal of the spoke protector. Remove it at your own risk, as you may end up doing hard time.


LOL :roflmao:

You don't "need" it if you take care of your bike to the point that you can guarantee that your chain will never pop off into your wheel. That being said.. there are no guarantees. When I joined this forum I remember reading about some dude that had his and it pretty much saved his bike (something about his RD snapping).

I don't have em on my road or mountain bikes.

Next you'll be asking if it makes you a Fred

If I flip my dork disc, will it still be fred?

I will personally bite you if you take that off.

http://www.orlyowl.com/upload/files/dork.jpg

as an additional question(s), is it possible to run a bike without almost never having to reset the limiting screws? how easily or often does it require tuneup?
also, if you were to never shift to the largest cog, or even second largest, chances of a chain moving into spokes are significantly diminished, yes?

I set my limit screws to that the drivetrain is always in 53x11. It's a little harder to pedal, but the upside is that the chain never gets stuck in the spokes and I don't have to ride as long to get a workout ;)

THey make excellent frisbees.

I have bought old used bikes, installed a new cable, and it worked perfectly without a screw turned. Every once in a great while the limit screws need adjusted, but close to none in my personal experience.

If the disc is reasonably small and chrome/alloy, keep it. If it's clear plastic, take it off and throw it in the nearest trash can. I HATE plastic spoke protectors!! If it's an old Schwinn with the HUGE honkin chrome disc, leave it on. It gives them character. About the only exception, hehe,,,,BD


http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/SSalmostdone.jpg

Lot of jokers here. The plastic dork disk protects you from shifting your chain into your spokes. It's true that you don't absolutely need it if you maintain your bike properly but it's also the case that it's harmless and offers some protection from a rare mishap that is easily avoidable - but hey, all of us can have a mishap. The only downside is that for some reason it offends some people.
It's a nuisance to take it off...you'll probably have to remove the freewheel which requires special tools. Personally, I usually opt to leave it there.

Well, i thought i was all cool a couple years ago and didn't install the dork disc on a new bike i was building up, with brand new really expensive wheels. I guess i didn't quite adjust the limiting screws perfectly though... was fine on pavement and in the bike stand, but the first rough trail, and my chain went off the big cog and into the spokes, and utterly trashed nearly all the spokes on the drive side.

I guess i'm a dork :P

If you don't know whether or not you need it, then you probably need it.

lf you refer to the wheel as a tire then you probably need it.

Hello, my name is Stacey and I'm a "fred".

I loves me my dork disks.

I want one that spins! You know... with a quirky design on that changes to summat cool when it spins? maybe even special flukes that make it whistle as it spiins... like a STUKA!!!

Yep yep... way past my bedtime.

I live a dork disc-free lifestyle.

i have a loose dork disk, so what does that make me?

A loose dork?

As long as you don't slip a dork disc while getting on your road bike, you're in good shape.;),,,,BD

I thought the "Dork Disc" was really cool until I realized being "Fred" was even way cooler. I'm going to
start posting more so I can become a really cool "Senior Member"!
Mud

i have a loose dork disk, so what does that make me?



a Loose Dorker? maybe a Loser Dork....last try - Dork Loser!!!

It's a nuisance to take it off...you'll probably have to remove the freewheel which requires special tools.

Pliers are not a special tool, and they remove the plastic disc just fine. They break it into small pieces of course, but remove it just fine nonetheless. :p

I love this question because it reminds me of when I first started out

Yeah, we were all n00bs at one time. :)

Yeah, we were all n00bs at one time. :)

<-- True dat.

--J

Well, i thought i was all cool a couple years ago and didn't install the dork disc on a new bike i was building up, with brand new really expensive wheels. I guess i didn't quite adjust the limiting screws perfectly though... was fine on pavement and in the bike stand, but the first rough trail, and my chain went off the big cog and into the spokes, and utterly trashed nearly all the spokes on the drive side.

I guess i'm a dork :P

I had a similar experience. That being said, I am bound by my style conscience to roll sans disc. I readjusted the limit screws and have not had a problem since.