Plastic piece between rear cogset and spokes

[Solo]

Does anyone leave that funny plastic disc on their rear wheel between the cogset and spokes? Or do you take this off with the reflectors and other garbage?

Not sure if it really does anything back there besides make an annoying noise.

[biglimey]

if your rear derailleur isn't adjusted correctly then toss it....I can't remember having one on a bike in the last 20 years!

OH and they make great frisbees!

[bighit8]

Originally Posted by biglimey

if your rear derailleur isn't adjusted correctly then toss it....

Did you mean if it is adjusted properly?
It is made to keep the chain from going into the spokes.

[Singletrack Angel]

We Trail Angels call it a "dork ring" and have been known to rip them off the bikes of new girls in the parking lot before beginning a ride.

[biglimey]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Did you mean if it is adjusted properly?
It is made to keep the chain from going into the spokes.

Err yeah that's what I meant

With advice like that I'd keep that dorkguard on there!

[Onemoreloop]

I think most people take them off because they look dorky. It is a situation of form over fit. Also they are more commonly found on lower end bikes compared to high end bikes. That being said, I would recommend leaving it on. It is practically no weight and it can save your spokes from getting ripped up if the chain comes off and wedges between the spokes and cassette. Better yet, it can prevent the chain from coming off in the first place if the gap is small enough.

People will say that a well adjusted dérailleur will keep the chain from coming off. It is rare for the chain to come off in that direction but everyone who has ridden long enough will have it happen sometime or another. Your d-hanger can get out of alignment or a small rock or stick can get kicked up and mesh between the chain and sprocket and knock the chain off or maybe the planets get lined up in a freaky way.

Eventually the plastic disk will wear out or get broken and that's the time to through it away.

[Solo]

Originally Posted by Singletrack Angel

We Trail Angels call it a "dork ring" and have been known to rip them off the bikes of new girls in the parking lot before beginning a ride.

LOL, now that is the funniest thing I heard all day. Thanks for the laugh... although I'm sure there is some truth to this,