Gitarzan
I do all my own maintenance and learned to lace wheels in the 70's. I had an RD get bent in a lay down crash earlier that I didn't notice until I shifted down really low for a hill climb. Instant spoke destruction and money out of a poor newlywed's pocket.

It isn't because of any thing appearance wise, I had removed them from my first Derr equipped bike until this incident. No disk I could fit to the Campy NR hubs and freewheel but the next bike got a mini disc to prevent this problem. The small, clear disc that Cannondale fitted to the R500T id unobtrusive and suits my needs and paranoia.

Not because I am one of those "Dumb" Marines, sir. I have and engineering degree, a law degree and a year of graduate school. I know how to use the high and the low adjusters on the FD and RD pretty well.

Just don't prejudge my fellow Marine and me, please. Merry Christmas (sincerely) to you and yours.

Respectfully,
Bill