Originally Posted by
John E
If you keep your rear derailleur properly adjusted and if you avoid abrupt across-several-cogs jumps into first gear, you do not need a pie plate. If you are trying to cram an ultra-6 freewheel onto a 120mm overlock axle or a 7-speed freewheel onto a 126mm axle, you do not want a pie plate.
Or you know, if some kind of accident happens.
I was just reading another post about this and someone related their experience:
During a ride, they accidently tipped over or banged the rear wheel on something. Not hard, it caused no noticeable damage and the rider simply hopped back on and continued the ride. However the impact, while causing no immediately visible damage, was just enough to throw the RD out of alignment or whatever- while he was switching gears, the chain cameoff and mangled his wheel. Or something.
The plastic ones are kind of ugly, but they aren't useless.
Plus, it's a good look- dork disk, turkey levers, rubber foam grips. Oh yeah.