Originally Posted by sakarias

Those stupid spoke protectors, pedal reflectors, front and rear reflectors, wheel reflectors -- all courtesy of those folks at the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Added to bikes several decades ago to "make them safer." A recent addition to this array are the little nibs on the front fork drop out. They replaced an ugly, extra metal thingy -- trying to prevent someone from losing their front wheel because they were incapable of tightening their quick release (or axle nuts). The nibs, of course, negate the function of the quick release. Mine succumbed to a file and some touch up paint shortly after I discovered the problem -- along with the wheel reflectors.

Our Treks came with plastic spoke protectors. My wife's started dragging against the cassette a couple days ago. It's gone, now, removed right after that ride.