n00b question. What's the easiest way to remove this plastic dork shield:

1)take the wheel off the bike, take the cassette off the wheel, slide the disc off, reassemble. Or 2)find whatever cutting tool is available (tin snips, scissors, vise grip , dremel tool) and cut, pull and tear until the SOB comes off.
Seriously the tools to remove a cassette (cassette removal tool, chain whip, and wrench) cost less than $20, and its a skill you should have. Take a look at PArk Tool's website.

Yea if you don't have the tool just cut it off, I have the tools and I generally find it easier to just cut it.

I took the wheel off and used a pair of side cuts (wire cutters) to cut away a pie shaped piece about a quarter the total size. Then the shield came off with a little effort. Of course, the right tool would make this a bit easier but I was too lazy to go to the bike shop.

For future reference...its dork disk, not dork shield.

Thank you.

We all need to use proper language and etiquette.

I replaced mine with a custom made to order carbon snob disc (which I flipped - obviously)

Steel is real... Mine is nice shiny chrome!

Sheldon Brown's site refers to it as a pie plate,
though you are correct that most on this board call it a dork disc.

Personally, I'd leave it on. 2 times I've had a chain break and that "dorf disk" stopped that chain from wrapping around my rear wheel and spokes. Now, I've got a brand new Orbea and when they assembled it with the "dorf disc" but I'm ok with that. To some it may be a sign of a cheap bike but I don't care.

IT took me way too long to cut, rip, tear, and scream at my dork disk. If I had to do it again I would attempt the correct way with the proper tools. Good luck. Later.

I got a freaking steak knife and went at it, it took me about 3 minutes!

You need to take off the cassette.

To do this properly, you need a chain whip and the cassette lockring tool. If you go to Performance and buy their Spin Doctor brand, you can have both for less than $15.

If you're gonna get serious about this you should just get the tools anyway, plus at some point doen the line it'll be good to take the cassette off to give it and your rear hub a thorough cleaning.

Get the bike toolkit that Performance and Nashbar sell. It should have a chain tool, chain whip, cassette tool, some crank stuff, allen wrenches, and maybe cable cutters if you're lucky. You'll make that back in no time, while learning to do your own wrenching.

If you have a propane torch and a cheap-o carpet knife, then heat up the blade and cut. The only bike I've ever had a dork-disc on was my MTB, and that was about a quarter inch thick.

1. Mount bicycle.
2. Ride to local club ride.
3. Meet nice rider who drinks beer.
4. Offer beer in exchange for Dork Disk removal services.
5. Offer more beer for opportunity to learn how to do it yourself.
6. Offer even more beer for opportunity to acquire longterm friendship.
7. Find another rider who doesn't drink.
8. Label second rider "Designated Driver".
9. Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 for every other basic maintenance task associated with cycling...it's much more fun that way.


...or just get the tools online and sit at home and take it off yourself. Personally I like my method better...

I bought the official Park Tool Dork Disk Steak Knife. Took only 2 minutes to remove it, but I waited 2 weeks for the tool to ship.

that's a dude disk, leave it for an extra cool factor!

That's a very clean chain. Pretty.

And my bike is still sporting it's dork disk - I think I'm gonna paint it.

Beth