Old 05-15-02, 10:48 AM
  #4  
John E
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,765

Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;

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Originally posted by Crazy Cyclist
I was just wondering what purpose it serves, and what is it called, and also do I really need it.
I concur with L8R, if you have good equipment, keep it in proper adjustment, and shift into the largest cog only when going slowly (which is the only time you need it, anyway!). On most rides, my largest cog, which I keep in reserve for that last big hill after I "bonk," is my spoke protector.

You do need a Dork Disc if you have an ancient bandspring Simplex Tour de France derailleur. Because of the reverse shift pattern, snapping the shift cable can will throw the cage and chain toward, and possibly into, the spokes. Most Campagnolo Cambio Corsas came with, and apparently needed, Dork Discs, as well.

The only disadvantage of Dork Disc-ectomy is that it moves your cogset a couple of mm toward the centerline of the bike, which will degrade your chainline in the larger cogs and chainrings, although it will improve your small - small combinations.

By the way, if you are converting from a standard-space 6-speed to a 7-speed freewheel, removing the disc will give you a welcome 2mm of additional cog-to-frame clearance.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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