Wheels/cassette

[KrusteeButt]

Ok, I know this is probably a pretty silly question...but, anyhow...
I just got a new set of wheels (well, used...but new to me)...anyhow, threw the cogs on, all is well...but I immediately noticed something was different from my other wheels, something just looked different.
OH! That plastic disc that's always between the largest cog and the spokes. There isn't one.
Does that thing serve any purpose? Should I have one on there or am I fine without it?

[Will_Jekyll]

It's there in case you're rear derailleur gets out of proper adjustment and shifts your chain off the last cog into the spokes. It's literally an ounce of protection. If you keep your rear derailleur up it should never be a problem but then again it wouldn't hurt to just put one on.

[KrusteeButt]

Cool, thanks Will.
Looks like it might be easier to clean the cogs without that thing in the way too.

[The Toninator]

I have an xt hub with one of those on it and it rubs on the spokes and makes a noise when i ride. So your saying i can break that thing off and it will still be ok?

[chunk]

Originally posted by The Toninator
I have an xt hub with one of those on it and it rubs on the spokes and makes a noise when i ride. So your saying i can break that thing off and it will still be ok?

Yes!

[KMan]

I have never used on of those guards. If it is on any wheel I had, off it came. As long as you maintain your bike and everything is properly adjusted you will never have a problem. But then again this is coming from a race oriented mind and that thing looks damn cheap and cheesy!

[Joe Pozer]

When I bought my first mountain bike, it came with one of those protectors. I took it to a shop to have the bike serviced and they teased a bit about having the "Geek" guard still on. Of course I couldn't have a "geek" guard on my bike after that so I took it off. Well, my very next ride the chain came off the large cog and broke three spokes. I was cursing the whole way back to the car.

[Ranger]

Servus!

Had a pal that left his on, despite our endless teasing. He was of the opinion that it would keep his chain from snapping the spokes. Much to his dismay, when he skipped it off the high end of the cassette, it broke seven spokes anyway.

The only one of these that Ive seen that was worth a sh!t was the one of aluminum that Mavic sticks on it's Crossmax wheels. I don't know if that is integral to the hub or can only be installed on Mavic rear hubs or what.