This one is always divisive. Some people think they’re ugly and useless, others think they’re good to keep on to protect your spokes in the worst case scenario.

I just got back from the garage from cutting mine off (and unfortunately it wasn’t a low quality/thin one so it took forever). I’m not against them per se but after about 1200km of riding, I noticed that it started to rattle and it was annoying me.

What do you guys/gals/pals think of them?

  • EvkobM
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    1 year ago

    I am a dork so I keep it in for identification purposes.

  • offthecrossbar@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    This one always gets a chuckle out of me when I see how strongly people feel about it. Obviously if it’s causing any issues while riding like in your case it’s gotta go, but outside of that I don’t even notice them on bikes half the time. I had to check my bike just now to see if I have mine on (I do 😅)

  • Golther@infosec.pub
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    1 year ago

    It provides a bit of protection. I don’t care what other people think, I lleave mine on.

  • Showroom7561
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    1 year ago

    On my folding bike, I kept them on because “they serve a purpose”, but then realized that they were not allowing my wheels to turn freely no matter how they were adjusted.

    Once I removed them, my wheels now spin forever. LOL

    If they weren’t causing trouble, I would have just left them on.

    Edit: Ignore that I’m making it sound like there are two dork disks on my bike… it was on one wheel (rear) and only there was only one! LOL

  • kersploosh@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    They’re fine. I won’t look down upon anyone who leaves theirs on. However, I’m a snob and take them off all of my bikes. The bike looks cleaner without the disc.

  • PurelySnype@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    I like the looks of a bike without them but not enough to remove them unless I have the casette off.

  • Avid Amoeba
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    1 year ago

    I walk with a pair of pliers, giving folks instant upgrades. Thieves steal bikes. Snobs snap dork discs off.

  • dangit_bobby
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    1 year ago

    I try to remove anything that isn’t totally necessary. So they’re a no from me, dawg.

  • Jerkface (any/all)
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    1 year ago

    I don’t have an opinion on something I only think about once every seven or eight years.

  • SomeAmateur@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    I have no issue with them, so until I do it stays. If something that small gets someone’s spandex in a twist so be it!

  • KammicRelief@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Hmm, is that what my salesperson called the “pie plate” iirc? In that case, I cut mine off right away, since it was a racing bike, and I did a few races with it, and couldn’t risk being the only person in the race with that lame extra weight that screamed “n00b!” (or at least that was my fear…)

    • retrolasered@lemmy.zip
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      1 year ago

      My bike is for touring. Theres no point shedding a gram to then load a campsite onto the pannier rack. And i like the scenic route which often means less than friendly terrain. I think ill keep mine on…

  • HelixDab2@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    If your rear derailleur is adjusted correctly, then it’s absolutely useless. I have never seen a point in keeping one on. Every one I’ve had has broken at some point or another, so it makes sense to just remove it preemptively the first time I have the cassette off.

  • Thorny_Thicket@sopuli.xyz
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    1 year ago

    Serves no purpose. I’ve had my chain fall between the cassette and spokes several times but nothing broke because I managed to stop the bike immediately which often is the case because you’re already on the lowest gear by then anyways.