What purpose does this serve under the gear cluster?
12-31-07, 11:24 PM
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What purpose does this serve under the gear cluster?
See jpeg. I know it's supposed to protect your spokes but heck, if your derailleur is adjusted right it shouldn't be hitting the spokes anyway.
<a href="https://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x153/dpennes/?action=view¤t=spokeprotector.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x153/dpennes/spokeprotector.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="https://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x153/dpennes/?action=view¤t=spokeprotector.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x153/dpennes/spokeprotector.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
01-01-08, 12:10 AM
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The common term is "dork disk" and its purpose is to keep the chain from falling off the gears and getting stuck in the spokes. If the derailleur is adjusted properly, it's not needed, hence the affectionate term.
01-01-08, 09:36 AM
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They're designed to help increase wind flow through your handlebar tassles.
01-01-08, 09:40 AM
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See jpeg. I know it's supposed to protect your spokes but heck, if your derailleur is adjusted right it shouldn't be hitting the spokes anyway.
<a href="https://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x153/dpennes/?action=view¤t=spokeprotector.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x153/dpennes/spokeprotector.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="https://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x153/dpennes/?action=view¤t=spokeprotector.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x153/dpennes/spokeprotector.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
01-01-08, 09:41 AM
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01-01-08, 09:41 AM
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You may remove it only if you promise, in writing, to keep your derailer in proper adjustment.
01-01-08, 10:15 AM
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Even with the r.d. properly adjusted, I've had the r.d. throw a chain into the spokes. It's a rare occurence but under the proper conditions, it can happen. For example, shifting while climbing a steep section of very rough/rocky trail which causes the chain & r.d. to jump around. I know you're not suppose to shift under load, but sometimes, my brain and legs don't always agree.
01-01-08, 10:19 AM
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Leave it on or take it off. Some feel they are unnecessary and may feel the same way about chainstay and frame savers and/or chain watcher/anti chain suck devices. It all depends on your preference or confidence that it will never happen to you. In any case, removing it takes off a few grams.
01-01-08, 11:09 AM
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My experience with dork disks is this:
I have never had my r.d. or chain go into the spokes. I have had a dork disk break and go into the spokes.
I have never had my r.d. or chain go into the spokes. I have had a dork disk break and go into the spokes.
01-01-08, 12:43 PM
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See Murphy's law... Chain suck...destroy wheel...meet terra firma - See dork disk.
l To keep it from ever falling off... Drill 1/16" (1.6mm) holes on each side of about 8 spokes and sew it on with dental floss.
l To keep it from ever falling off... Drill 1/16" (1.6mm) holes on each side of about 8 spokes and sew it on with dental floss.
Last edited by sherpa93; 01-01-08 at 01:05 PM. Reason: add info
01-01-08, 05:12 PM
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I thought that was the purpose of the chain guard on the crank.
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This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
01-01-08, 05:51 PM
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If you are adept at tuning your own derailleur and keep it up to snuff, don't bother with the disc. If you take it to the LBS once a year for a tune up, whether it needs it or not, use the disc. If the chain hits the spokes under load, it's gonna be ugly. bk
01-01-08, 06:15 PM
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Some folks here in North Cackalacky (NC) refer to 'em as frisbees or dougnuts.
