Plastic guard behind rear cassette

[FoZ]

My plastic guard behind the rear cassette has broken.

No idea how.......

2 questions....

1. How essential are these?
2. How easy are they to renew? (won't be doing this if they are not needed)

[Damon]

IMO not necessary to have one.

[FoZ]

WOW, thanks for the fast reply!!!!!!! I won't worry too much then.

[thistle]

Jul 26, 2010 9:53:25 GMT FoZ said:

WOW, thanks for the fast reply!!!!!!!

I think Damon has an MBNW forum implant

He's right though, I wouldn't worry about it. It's handy if your gears aren't set up right and keep throwing the chain into the spokes but that should never happen anyway.
I went to buy one once in Halfords and they said they don't sell them on their own.

[FoZ]

Thanks again :-D

[S3dINS (AKA Nik)]

The plastic guard is only to protect the spokes if the chain comes off. As long as the rear mech is set up correctly the chain shouldn't come off thus rendering the plastic guard obsolete.

Most higher end bikes come WITHOUT them as standard.

[steveg]

They look soooo naff and imho should be removed from any serious bike - along with reflectors and handlebar mounted bells.

[S3dINS (AKA Nik)]

Aug 1, 2010 9:14:39 GMT steveg said:

They look soooo naff and imho should be removed from any serious bike - along with reflectors and handlebar mounted bells.

Couldn't agree more. Reflectors are beyond a shodow of a doubt the stupidest idea on a bike ever. If you're going to ride at night then lights are an absolute must and fitting reflectors as standard is an accident waiting to happen, since kids will think they are safe enough to ride at night with reflectors alone (and some parents think it's acceptable to let them do that too). Bells should be replaced by air horns that recharge while pedalling.