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.
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 😅)
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
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.
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.
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..)
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..
I think the term is unhelpful. I would not have one on my bikes (I had to remove one from a carbon canyon), but i can adjust a derailleur. But they are practical and keeping a practical item doesn’t make people dorks. We should show love to all cyclists regardless their bike or gear - we are an endangered species!