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The Infamous Dork Disc

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The Infamous Dork Disc

Old 01-08-23, 08:48 PM
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The Infamous Dork Disc

Came across this in my YouTube recommendations and found it fascinating considering what I (and probably many others) presume the ugly piece of plastic actually does.

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Old 01-08-23, 09:15 PM
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I don't know why Safari doesn't show youtube links in posts, but I assume it is about what the spoke protector does for the bike. That being said, I don't have one on my modern bike, and the plastic one that would have been on my Raleigh USA was long gone when I got it and I won't replace it. And as I've said every time the word dork disk comes up, I love pie plates on vintage bikes.
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Old 01-08-23, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Chuck M
I don't know why Safari doesn't show youtube links in posts
I haven't "upgraded" to Ventura, but Safari seems to be able to do it (and I block a lot of 3rd-party garbage).


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Old 01-08-23, 09:53 PM
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Seth got kind of old. I guess I did too.

My oldest kid is definitely the type of person for whom keeping the dork disc in place is the right thing to do.

Does Campy make the best one?
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Old 01-08-23, 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Chuck M
I don't know why Safari doesn't show youtube links in posts, but I assume it is about what the spoke protector does for the bike. That being said, I don't have one on my modern bike, and the plastic one that would have been on my Raleigh USA was long gone when I got it and I won't replace it. And as I've said every time the word dork disk comes up, I love pie plates on vintage bikes.
Basically, he did a crude test to see what happens when the chain falls off inside the big cog... and basically nothing really happened with or without the dork disc.
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Old 01-09-23, 01:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Polaris OBark
Does Campy make the best one?
Sekine. It’s not even close

Schwinn had a big chrome dinner plate that was very effective. Matched the bash guard on the Ashtabula double

My Paramount had a Huret version that was pretty nice for 76, metal and plastic combo.
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Old 01-09-23, 01:37 AM
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Originally Posted by urbanknight
Basically, he did a crude test to see what happens when the chain falls off inside the big cog... and basically nothing really happened with or without the dork disc.
beg to differ


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Old 01-09-23, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
beg to differ


I’m just saying what happened in the guy’s (crude) experiment. Not making any claims myself.
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Old 01-09-23, 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Polaris OBark
I haven't "upgraded" to Ventura, but Safari seems to be able to do it (and I block a lot of 3rd-party garbage).
install chrome and firefox. chrome because it just works, and firefox because you can harden the bejesus out of it.
Safari is inferior to both. (imho)
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Old 01-09-23, 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
beg to differ
+1
had to fix a case where the chain bunched up and ripped a spoke out
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Old 01-09-23, 08:47 AM
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Has anyone ever made a cassette that has a spoke protector disc machined right onto the inside the largest cog of the cassette? Seems something like that could be the most elegant 'solution'
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Old 01-09-23, 09:01 AM
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I will happily use/display any dorkdisks/pie plates anyone cares to send my way
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Old 01-09-23, 10:00 AM
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Style is everything.
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Old 01-09-23, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
Has anyone ever made a cassette that has a spoke protector disc machined right onto the inside the largest cog of the cassette? Seems something like that could be the most elegant 'solution'
Shimano makes a few freewheels with an integrated spoke protector.

https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ...Z500-7-CP.html

https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ...Z500-6-CP.html
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Old 01-09-23, 10:01 AM
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What's the best, or your favorite, C&V spoke protector / dork disk?
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Old 01-09-23, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by urbanknight
I’m just saying what happened in the guy’s (crude) experiment.
Yeah, he basically didn't have any tension in the drive chain. Here's another test done by a friend: 2000 miles into a self-contained cross-country tour, climbing the steepest grade, desperately shift to "gear zero". Result? 18 new drive-side spokes, thank you very much.

Fun fact: 'dork disk' does not appear as an entry in Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Glossary. See: 'spoke protector'.
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Old 01-09-23, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Chuck M
I don't know why Safari doesn't show youtube links in posts, ...
Same here on Microsoft Edge (Chromium). It used to work but stopped a few months ago. But if I quote the thread in a reply, the YouTube link shows up in the editing window.
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Old 01-09-23, 12:18 PM
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Old school metal spoke protectors looked decent in some cases but plastic ain't really going to help much. Adjust your rear derailleur properly set the limits and if you get into a crash and your derailleur goes into the spokes don't expect a little piece of plastic to do a lot. If your limits are set you won't be going into the spokes with your chain and if they do the chain is thick heavy metal and the plastic spoke protector is thin plastic. I have actually had a lot of issues where the cassette is not properly spinning and turning poorly and mechanics are racking their brains trying to figure it out until we remove that piece of plastic and everything works like a charm.

If you like them go for them it is your bike but I wouldn't put one on a bike (unless maybe the vintage ones with some flair or maybe something nice carbon fiber with some cool designs or something!
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Old 01-09-23, 01:17 PM
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just don't try to burn off a plastic one

don't remember the old thread where someone tried that. I think it turned into a "situation". or maybe ppl were just joking about it?
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Old 01-09-23, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Schweinhund
I will happily use/display any dorkdisks/pie plates anyone cares to send my way
I have a nice clear plastic Shimano one from a '88 Centurion you can have. PM your address. I dislike throwing stuff out.
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Old 01-09-23, 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by RB1-luvr
I have a nice clear plastic Shimano one from a '88 Centurion you can have. PM your address. I dislike throwing stuff out.
sent.
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Old 01-09-23, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by veganbikes
Old school metal spoke protectors looked decent in some cases but plastic ain't really going to help much.
If you do bend your rear mech I think it's less likely to snag on a smooth bit of plastic than an unprotected spoke. Rear mech in spokes can have you walking home. I actually bought a plastic dork disc not long ago to fit on my hack bike because I tend to treat it careless, but I didn't check the hub flange diameter so it will be going on another bike that I've not started yet.
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Old 01-09-23, 02:56 PM
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The BOC has had it's share. I've seen some pretty well demolished. I'm going to say they are pretty much like a helmet, good to have if things go wrong.
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Old 01-09-23, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
just don't try to burn off a plastic one

don't remember the old thread where someone tried that. I think it turned into a "situation". or maybe ppl were just joking about it?
​​​​​​I set my rear wheel on fire
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Old 01-09-23, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by tcs
Result? 18 new drive-side spokes, thank you very much..
The chain usually just damages the drive side spokes that are heads-in, the heads-out spokes are protected.
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