If the derailleur is out of position, it will pull the chain laterally. If the misalignment is large enough, it could result in an involuntary shift to a different gear – a phenomenon known as gear slipping. More advanced cyclists have a special code of conduct including silent and yet undeniable criticism towards accessories that steal away aesthetic points or imply technical incompetence. For other people, however, the simple fact that it offers that extra bit of safety just in case the worst happens makes it worth having. The extra bit of safety outweighs any aesthetic considerations. It is designed to stop the chain from getting thrown into the spokes of the rear wheel if it comes off the largest cog on the drive train, which could lead to the chain damaging the spokes.

To remove or install a spoke protector, you would have to take out the rear wheel and then unfasten the cassette or the freewheel. Only then you can slide on or take off the spoke protector. Highlands AB36-38, AB55-56, FK17-21, IV1-19, IV52-54, IV63, KW1-14, PA21-40, PH19-26, PH30-41, PH49-50 Tip: If the spoke protector drops on a trip in the wilderness, and you don’t have the means to remove it, you can make holes in with a knife or a tool (e.g., the awl of a Swiss army knife) and tie it to the spokes with zip-ties. Are All Spoke Guards Ugly?The plastic piece located behind a bike’s cassette is known as a Spoke Protector. As the name implies, its primary function is to shield the spokes from any potential damage – especially from the derailleur or chain inadvertently getting tangled in them. This is important because a mishap of this nature could result in significant and costly damage to the wheel, derailleur, and even the bike’s frame. The Spoke Protector, typically made of plastic or sheet-metal, fits snugly between the bike’s cluster and the right-side spokes on the rear wheel, thus acting as a protective barrier in the event of a mechanical slip. In my many years of biking, I’ve seen a fair share of accidents that could have been avoided with this simple device. So, the plastic thing behind the cassette is a Spoke Protector, an important safeguard that can prevent costly damage to your bike. How do you remove a dork disc? There is no guarantee that the plastic spoke protector will save the spokes if the chain drops. Depending on the situation that caused the chain to drop, like jumps or debris, it would cause damage either way

Usually, an experienced rider has knowledge of shifting gears, they know the ins and outs of their bike, so they have a little less risk of an issue compared to someone else. If you have the correct tools to remove your cassette, then it’s recommended to do so! This is because some Dork Disks can be challanging to cut off, which can end up taking more time than simply taking the cassette off – plus you don’t risk damaging your spokes(or hands). Where to Buy a Dork Disk/spoke protectors? Consequently, due to the coasting hub, the chain may greatly damage the spokes. That’s where a spoke protector becomes every rider’s darling. If the rider continues to pedal, the wheel will be damaged. But even if he/she immediately halts all pedaling effort, the chain will still harm the spokes because the wheel will keep on spinning due to the coasting hub.The small movement is enough to create friction between the spokes and the protector and turn the grit in-between into sandpaper eating the spokes slowly but persistently. When the ground is uneven, the chain may drop during a jump or a touchdown. Equally, if an external object hits the derailleur, it may drop the chain between the big cog and the spokes. This would be disastrous, especially if you were coasting and you didn’t have a dork disk.