A yellowed, cracked plastic spoke protector is an eyesore. A shiny period-correct chrome one can be beautiful. A quick survey of my current bikes says that I don't have a single spoke protector remaining*. I will certainly again, some day, as the bike will self justify.
*EDIT: I just looked again more closely, I find that my wife's and my mountain bikes have their original spoke protectors. That's fine, because bad things happen to MTB drivetrains, this might save a rear wheel.
Last edited by Phil_gretz; 12-21-20 at 08:32 AM.