Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

That plastic thing between my gears and back wheel

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

That plastic thing between my gears and back wheel

Old 11-19-08, 04:03 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 39
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
That plastic thing between my gears and back wheel

I'm talking about this this transparent plate between the metal part (Shimano) and the spokes (this is not my bike):



I'm not sure how it's held in place, but apparently mine is broken because it's not secured in any way, it's just there and moving around and making noise. What's the point of this thing? Can I just remove it or should I buy a new one and replace it somehow?
frugihoyi is offline  
Old 11-19-08, 04:47 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138

Bikes: 2 many

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times in 169 Posts
If/when your chain goes over the top of the big sprocket, the plastic spoke protector keeps the chain from cutting and gouging the spokes. That may prevent some people from not knowing and still riding until the spokes break (maybe a crash). It may prevent some people from respoking a wheel, it is a pain.
Most people will now tell you it has no use if your derailleur is adjust properly, so take it off. They are wrong, lots of things can cause the chain to go over the top. Most people take them off. They are even called "dork discs" because they seem so silly. Do what you want, the risk is a bunch of spokes, or a wheel rebuild. Possibly broken spokes in the middle of nowhere, but unlikely.
2manybikes is offline  
Old 11-19-08, 05:44 AM
  #3  
World's slowest cyclist.
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Londonderry, NH
Posts: 1,353

Bikes: Cannondale CAAD5 and Cannondale Rush

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Most folks remove the dork disk. I left mine on. Just three weeks ago a stick got between my chain and the gear and forced the chain off the cog to the inside. The dork disk saved my wheel. So I may be a dork, but I'm a dork that isn't out $300 as a result of that disk.
Chris_F is offline  
Old 11-19-08, 08:43 AM
  #4  
I have senior moments...
 
bikinfool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Woodside, CA
Posts: 2,151

Bikes: Many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
If it's a plastic one you might be able to just break it completely off with a pair of pliers or something, or remove your cassette to access it. While it has some use I can't stand the aesthetics of one, I have been known to attack friends' bikes and remove them (with permission). In 20 plus years of mountain biking I've not missed one, but I keep my derailleur adjusted well and the occasional broken spoke replacement from trail debris is just part of the price you pay to play...
bikinfool is offline  
Old 11-19-08, 09:05 AM
  #5  
Still kicking.
 
Dannihilator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Annandale, New Jersey
Posts: 19,678

Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 159 Post(s)
Liked 46 Times in 32 Posts
The dork disc.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Dannihilator is offline  
Old 11-19-08, 09:10 AM
  #6  
one less horse
 
cryptid01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: The Hinterlands
Posts: 5,601
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Chris_F
So I may be a dork, but I'm a dork that isn't out $300 as a result of that disk.
What kind of wheel are you running that would cost 300 dollars to replace some drive side spokes?
cryptid01 is offline  
Old 11-19-08, 09:23 AM
  #7  
Still kicking.
 
Dannihilator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Annandale, New Jersey
Posts: 19,678

Bikes: Bike Count: Rising.

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 159 Post(s)
Liked 46 Times in 32 Posts
You don't need a dork disc if:

1: You carry a spare derailleiur hanger with you in the case you are out on a ride and you crash and bend the hanger on the bike, you can just replace the hanger instead of bending the hanger back and further weakening the metal on the bent hanger.
2: Learn how to keep your rear deraillieur adjusted and know how to compromise an adjustment when you crash and bend a hanger and you don't have a hanger.
3: Keep on top of checking the chain for wear. And to replace the chain when it's twisted and/or worn past a safe margin.
4: Carry a chain breaker, half link and a quicklink in your pack in case you do snap a chain and in result breaks the deraillieur hanger you had just put on or if you broke a hanger that isn't replaceable, so you can gheto ss your bike out of the woods.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Dannihilator is offline  
Old 11-19-08, 09:37 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 57
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Dork disc..

Thats why people point and laugh at me on group rides.


or, is it my reflectors?

Last edited by Kendeathwalker; 11-19-08 at 09:41 AM.
Kendeathwalker is offline  
Old 11-20-08, 09:19 AM
  #9  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Pie Plate!

Pie Plate!...per the Bike Snob... (https://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com)

Last edited by Shrambo; 11-20-08 at 09:20 AM. Reason: edited -
Shrambo is offline  
Old 11-20-08, 11:22 AM
  #10  
I have senior moments...
 
bikinfool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Woodside, CA
Posts: 2,151

Bikes: Many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Reflectors take the dork factor to another level completely. I don't even ask permission to rip those things off.
bikinfool is offline  
Old 11-20-08, 11:46 AM
  #11  
1GEAR
 
pOrk's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Milwaukee, Wi
Posts: 135

Bikes: 20" DBI, Trek 69er, Kona Caldera, 26" Goose DJ

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Lose the dork disc, but replace it with one of these

pOrk is offline  
Old 11-20-08, 12:17 PM
  #12  
Official Website Waterboy
 
born2bahick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,271

Bikes: a lot

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
^^ not sure what the point of that is. I guess it's carbon so it's cool?
born2bahick is offline  
Old 11-20-08, 12:41 PM
  #13  
DNPAIMFB
 
pinkrobe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cowtown, AB
Posts: 4,655

Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bikinfool
Reflectors take the dork factor to another level completely. I don't even ask permission to rip those things off.


I recall many group rides with friends who had acquired brand new bikes. They would pull their new ride out of its protective blankie and pose beside it. I would ooh and ahh, then ask if I could touch it. After fondling the bike for 3 seconds, I would crouch down beside it - and snap those ****ing wheel reflectors off. The owner would squeal in anguish, everyone else would roar with laughter. The ride could now begin.
pinkrobe is offline  
Old 11-20-08, 05:16 PM
  #14  
Moar cowbell
 
dminor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The 509
Posts: 12,481

Bikes: Bike list is not a resume. Nobody cares.

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
I'm afraid to know what you would do to my Spokey Dokes
__________________
Originally Posted by Mark Twain
"Don't argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
dminor is offline  
Old 11-20-08, 06:25 PM
  #15  
1GEAR
 
pOrk's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Milwaukee, Wi
Posts: 135

Bikes: 20" DBI, Trek 69er, Kona Caldera, 26" Goose DJ

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by born2bahick
^^ not sure what the point of that is. I guess it's carbon so it's cool?
Carbon / Aluminum, same thing I guess.
pOrk is offline  
Old 11-21-08, 09:20 AM
  #16  
Official Website Waterboy
 
born2bahick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,271

Bikes: a lot

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by pOrk
Carbon / Aluminum, same thing I guess.
OK aliminum then. But what's the point? that bike has horizontal drops, if the chain is tensioned properly, it won't come off.
born2bahick is offline  
Old 11-21-08, 11:47 AM
  #17  
DNPAIMFB
 
pinkrobe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cowtown, AB
Posts: 4,655

Bikes: Titus El Guapo, Misfit diSSent, Cervelo Soloist Carbon, Wabi Lightning, et al.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dminor
I'm afraid to know what you would do to my Spokey Dokes
Spokey Dokes are cool 'cause they're aftermarket.
pinkrobe is offline  
Old 11-21-08, 12:01 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 676
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I lost mine, and it hasnt given me a problem, but if you dont feel comfortable without, the shop will pop one on while you wait.
elf 232 is offline  
Old 11-21-08, 12:13 PM
  #19  
You gonna eat that?
 
Doohickie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Posts: 14,723

Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 164 Post(s)
Liked 67 Times in 44 Posts
I can't remember the last time I went off the largest sprocket; if I have problems it's always between the smallest one and the frame. I recently got a new wheel and when they put my gears on it, they left the dork disk off. If you want mine, PM me.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.


Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
Doohickie is offline  
Old 11-21-08, 12:20 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 676
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Ah, back in the day, on my first ride, all decked out with reflectors, that was the worst ride of my life, but it brings back memories.
elf 232 is offline  
Old 11-21-08, 12:40 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
rankin116's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ChapelBorro NC
Posts: 4,126
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 98 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by elf 232
Ah, back in the day, on my first ride, all decked out with reflectors, that was the worst ride of my life, but it brings back memories.
What, last week?
rankin116 is offline  
Old 11-21-08, 12:48 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 676
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nope, about 3.5-ish years ago. Which is embarassingly not that long ago but i'v done a lot of miles since then.
elf 232 is offline  
Old 11-22-08, 03:34 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Luis Obispo/San Diego
Posts: 223

Bikes: Norco Rampage

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Lose the plastic thing. It's nothing but trouble. Keep your derailer tuned good and you will never have a problem. If you can't adjust your derailer properly then you deserve to throw your chain into the spokes.
jcook1989 is offline  
Old 11-22-08, 06:38 AM
  #24  
Old School Rad
 
mtnbiker66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The old Mountains
Posts: 8,206

Bikes: Blur LT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by elf 232
Nope, about 3.5-ish years ago. Which is embarassingly not that long ago but i'v done a lot of miles since then.
Thats the reason you have a vast wealth of information........
__________________
Like a circus monkey on a stolen Harley......
mtnbiker66 is offline  
Old 11-22-08, 08:28 PM
  #25  
1GEAR
 
pOrk's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Milwaukee, Wi
Posts: 135

Bikes: 20" DBI, Trek 69er, Kona Caldera, 26" Goose DJ

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by born2bahick
OK aliminum then. But what's the point? that bike has horizontal drops, if the chain is tensioned properly, it won't come off.
It's not there to prevent the chain from falling off
pOrk is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.