A spoke protector is a disc found between the biggest cog and the rear wheel’s spokes in many new entry-level bikes. However, is a spoke protector necessary?
A spoke protector is necessary because it helps prevent avoidable damages caused by a hind mech accident by acting as a barrier between the spokes and the chain. In addition, it prevents the chain from becoming trapped between the spokes and the cassette and harming them.
The spoke protector (also known as a pie plate, spoke guard, rookie ring, or dork disc) serves as a shield to the spokes. Nevertheless, some cyclists remove this accessory as soon as they get home.
This post explores whether or not you need a spoke protector for your bike and the advantages of having one.
Is A Dork Disc Necessary?
A dork disc’s is necessary because it keeps the chain from getting in contact with the spokes. It will pull the bike chain laterally if the derailleur isn’t adjusted.
Severe misalignment may cause the chain to fall out as well as involuntary gear shifts. In this condition, shifting gears to the smallest cog causes the chain to become jammed between the chainstay and the cassettes.
Shifting to the largest cog may result in the chain getting dropped between the cog and the spokes.
The dork disc “steps in” and keeps the chain away from the spoke.
Nevertheless, a dork disc isn’t required for the bike to work.
It can’t promise to protect the spokes should the derailleur or the chain fail either. This is because it is mainly plastic, there’s a chance of it breaking if rocks or debris hit the bike.
Furthermore, poor weather conditions may cause the plastic to become brittle and begin to break over time.
How Important Is A Spoke Protector On A Bike?
A spoke protector is quite important because of the peace of mind it provides. If you value your bike even slightly and want to avoid costly repairs, then keeping the dork disc on would do you a lot of good.
Knowing the benefits of a spoke protector helps you answer the question, is a spoke protector necessary? For that reason, here are some of the advantages associated with spoke protectors:
- It prevents brake pads from squeaking and becoming dirty.
- It creates a barrier between the spokes and the chain in case of an accident.
- It protects the frame, the wheel, and the chainset from scratch when the cassette shifts over rocky terrain.
- It protects the spokes from dirt.
- It shields the chain from being slammed into the spokes by debris.
- Protects the spokes from damage in the event the chain slides off the cassette.
Moreover, plastic spoke protectors are readily available.
Knowing the benefits of spoke protector, check out SUNLITE Freewheel Spoke Protector (amazon link) that’s compatible with every FW hub. However, don’t use it on cassette hubs.
What Are The Shortcomings Of Spoke Protectors?
There are drawbacks to using a spoke protector on your bicycle. Some of them are:
1. More Weight
Even though the pie plate is plastic, some riders prefer to eliminate everything that adds weight to their bike.
2. Wear And Tear Are inevitable
Many spoke protectors are low-cost plastic. The material weakens quickly under the sun since it is not UV- resistant.
This causes it to lose its elasticity and crumble at the ends. Consequently, the guard loses stability, and rattling kicks in.
3. Mud And Dirt Accumulation
Dirt might collect between the cassette and the dork disc, causing a buildup.
The spoke protector is always bigger than the cassette. Due to this, its body accumulates a lot of difficult-to-clean dirt, hence contaminating the back cogs.
It is a concern particularly for touring bikers or mountain cyclists who love riding in extreme conditions.
4. Spoke Damage Due To Accumulation Of Dirt
Due to its closeness to the cassette, spoke protectors become highly dirty with time.
It could result in a negative impact since the spokes aren’t immobile. A slight movement can generate friction between the protector and the spokes that convert the grit into sandpaper.
It chews up the spikes gradually. However, cleaning the wheel regularly, examining the area, and replacing the protector when needed could avert the problem.
5. Drivetrain Jam
The cassette or freewheel can jam if a dork disc snaps from the spokes, thus causing the chain and the rear derailleur to misbehave. It explains why regular inspection of the spoke protector is necessary.
Furthermore, they are unattractive, and a plastic dork disc does not guarantee the safety of the spokes if the chain falls off.
The Benefits Of Metal Over Plastic Spoke Protectors
Here are some of the advantages of metal spoke protectors:
1. Better Aesthetics
Some cyclists use metal dork discs because they appreciate their retro looks more than functionality.
2. They Cover A Large Area
Metal spoke guards are often larger than their plastic counterparts seen on budget bikes. The additional surface area improves protection.
3. Improved Resistance To Elements
A well-finished spoke guard is unlikely to rust. In addition, it will not become brittle when exposed to UV light.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Metal Spoke Protectors?
1. Low Availability
Metal spoke guards are difficult to come by. Since many bike shops don’t stock them, you’ll have to browse the internet for one and wait for it to arrive.
2. A Classic Aesthetic Doesn’t Suit Modern Bicycles
A metal rookie guard may look great on a vintage road bike. However, it is odd on modern bikes.
3. Extra Weight
Even though the weight of a spoke guard isn’t extremely high, it’s worth noting that metal products are often heavier than plastic versions despite the holes they have.
Why Are Spoke Guards More Common In Budget Bikes?
Here’s why spoke protectors are commonly seen on cheap bikes:
- A budget bike isn’t meant to be a work of beauty. Unattractive items become more bearable after this awareness.
- Beginners who lack the information and abilities to maintain their bicycles properly are the most probable buyers. As a result, manufacturers install spoke guards and tail derailleur guards on more sophisticated machines to minimize malfunction cases caused by negligence and ignorance.
- Low-end bicycles have cheap components and won’t perform as well as the upgraded versions which employ cutting-edge cycling technology.
Who Needs A Spoke Protector?
If you are a new cyclist who loves riding off-road and are inexperienced with gear shifting, then a spoke guard would be a perfect fit for your bike.
Generally, beginner bikes sport cheap accessories. So, it won’t cost a lot of money should something go wrong.
Typically, low-end motorcycles are not well maintained, like high-end ones.
Cyclists should ensure the bike is in the proper gear before leaping off a ramp or other obstacles. In such cases, someone who isn’t familiar with gear shifting should employ the spoke guard to keep the chain in place.
Furthermore, if you love cycling on paths with potholes, debris, rocks, or twigs, then a spoke protector would come in handy in preventing a wipeout from causing damage.
However, seasoned riders and those who clean their bikes regularly can get rid of spoke guards. Cyclists who are familiar with shifting gears can also remove the dork disc.
FAQs
Is A Spoke Guard Necessary?
A spoke guard or a spoke protector is necessary since it protects your spokes if the chain slides off the cog and becomes trapped between the spokes and the cassette or freewheel. As a result, the spokes may break if the rookie guard is not in place.
What Does A Spoke Protector Do?
A spoke protector creates a shield that protects the bike spokes. It also helps you avoid damages that require repairs if the chain is lodged between the spokes and cassette.
Can I Remove My Spoke Guard?
You can easily uninstall your spoke guard from the bike. First, dismantle the back wheel and then loosen the freewheel or the cassette.
You can remove the spoke guard only after doing this.
In addition, it is good to determine what is on the bike since freewheels and cassettes demand different tools. Some cases would require long, strong scissors to break the dork disc and extract it without further disassembly.
However, this procedure isn’t always successful and deprives one of using the guard later.
Should You Remove Spoke Protector?
You shouldn’t take off your spoke protector because it ensures the bike chain doesn’t dig into the spokes and prevents the chain from destroying the bike wheels in an accident.
However, the purpose of a spoke protector diminishes if you adjust the rear derailleur properly. In such a case, you could remove the spoke guard.
Do You Need A Spoke Protector?
You need a spoke protector if you want to ensure the chain doesn’t dig into the bicycle’s spoke if it falls between the large cog and the spokes. It is also a barrier between the spokes and chain in rear merch-involved accident.
In Conclusion, Is A Spoke Protector Necessary?
As highlighted in the post, a spoke protector would be an excellent option if you’re a new cyclist. It eliminates the worry about the chain sliding off and damaging the bike’s spokes.
However, a spoke protector may be unnecessary for an experienced rider or a rider who maintains the bike regularly and keeps the rear derailleur properly fitted.
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