With all the rain here in my neck of the woods, I've been cleaning my bike more often I was wondering how necessary the spoke protector is on my '03 Sequoia Expert (105 group)? It's a clear plastic that always looks dirty and makes cleaning difficult. I also didn't to it any favors cleaning it with gasoline. Could I remove it, ot have it removed. Could it be replaced with a more durable material?

You can remove it. It just protects the spokes if the chain gets derailled. Some people think they look dorky.

Does anyone know where to buy spoke protectors?

The LBS will usually have them in stock. You'll need to know whether you have a 32-hole or 36-hole rear wheel, since the tangs that hold the spoke protector to the hub are arranged differently depending.

Spoke protectors are dorky period, especially when they break on you.

Back in the days when I used to buy complete bikes, the first thing I did when I got them home was to remove spoke protectors and all safety reflectors.

The spoke protector on my roadbike is pretty small and thus hidden by my largest cog. The one on my MTB got taken care of as a matter of wear and tear. The only annoyance was that I had to pick up the pieces and carry it around with me until I could find a refuse bin in which to throw it away.

Why gasoline?!? It gives me the willies. Too flammable, fumes are too strong. Dries out my skin. I dunno. Mineral spirits, diesel fuel (both of which can be kept and re-used, er, for cleaning). Simple Green, some kind of citrus cleaner. Even the high $$$ stuff they sell at the bike shop.

Thank you for the replies...I tried the gasoline, but won't be using it again. You live and you learn...mostly from your mistakes.

What's the best way to remove them?

Carefully break the ugly little sucker.

Just nibble and tear at it using needle nosed pliers........takes only a couple minutes...

Duh...of course!

Is it OK to use mineral Turpentine?

BTW, the little lug thingies holding my protector to the spokes starting breaking and it was flopping everywhere so I took the Pliers to it, grabbed and yanked lol

Brendon

Some spoke protectors don't even do the job they're supposed to! The plastic ring type doesn't protect the spokes down on the hub. The pie-dish type are better. If you want to be cool and protect your spokes and hub at the same time, try a CD. Be even cooler by using a CD from your fav performer. Shiny side faces away from the cogs. You may have to enlarger the hole for it to fit on the hub.

I find I keep forgetting to put the protector back on after cleaning or changing the rear cogs.

If removing a good protector forever, remember to make sure your limit screw on the rear derailleur does in fact stop you from overshifting and jumping the chain off between the big cog and the spokes. There's nothing like discovering you've overshifted in the spokes -- your pedalling come to a sudden stop, there's a chance you've twisted the chain, and the other damage can be very expensive -- spokes, wheel rebuild, possibly new hub.

Don't ask how I know.

FWIW

R

Another response to "How to remove them?" Brake cleaner. I was working on my truck's brakes one day. After I was done went to work on my bike. Grabbed the wrong can to start degreasing my chain. On touch of the break cleaner, and the chain gaurd and reflector just shattered. Scary stuff, just like Off. The same stuff we use for repellin misquitoes can remove Marks a lot markings from paint and tile.

Brake Cleaner is really good for killing wasps in mid-air! Spiders too!

Bad for bike parts though! Unless completely removed from the vicinity. (i.e. chain off the bike and soaking in a bottle!)

L8R

Also works to wake your tail up if you're out of coffee if applied directly to ones eyes.

To quote one Rowan, "Don't ask how I know."