What is the black plastic circle on wheel axle nut?

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP











up vote
16
down vote

favorite












I have been seeing a black plastic part on the nuts of the wheels. My bike also has this. I think I have seen this only on old bikes. Does it have a name and purpose?



old bicycle with black nut cover



Some close up:



black plastic nut cover 1black plastic nut cover 2







share|improve this question


















  • 1




    Perhaps to be able to unscrew the nuts without having to use a wrench? I'm curious to see some other answers. They also kind of look like the covers that are use when shipping wheels so the axles don't punch through the box but you wouldn't leave those on, and they look a little different. Do you have an up-close picture of them as well?
    – Nate W
    Aug 27 at 15:27











  • @NateW if they're plastic I wouldn't think they're durable enough to repeatedly unscrew the nut
    – Swifty
    Aug 27 at 21:53










  • @Swifty a valid point
    – Nate W
    Aug 28 at 14:54














up vote
16
down vote

favorite












I have been seeing a black plastic part on the nuts of the wheels. My bike also has this. I think I have seen this only on old bikes. Does it have a name and purpose?



old bicycle with black nut cover



Some close up:



black plastic nut cover 1black plastic nut cover 2







share|improve this question


















  • 1




    Perhaps to be able to unscrew the nuts without having to use a wrench? I'm curious to see some other answers. They also kind of look like the covers that are use when shipping wheels so the axles don't punch through the box but you wouldn't leave those on, and they look a little different. Do you have an up-close picture of them as well?
    – Nate W
    Aug 27 at 15:27











  • @NateW if they're plastic I wouldn't think they're durable enough to repeatedly unscrew the nut
    – Swifty
    Aug 27 at 21:53










  • @Swifty a valid point
    – Nate W
    Aug 28 at 14:54












up vote
16
down vote

favorite









up vote
16
down vote

favorite











I have been seeing a black plastic part on the nuts of the wheels. My bike also has this. I think I have seen this only on old bikes. Does it have a name and purpose?



old bicycle with black nut cover



Some close up:



black plastic nut cover 1black plastic nut cover 2







share|improve this question














I have been seeing a black plastic part on the nuts of the wheels. My bike also has this. I think I have seen this only on old bikes. Does it have a name and purpose?



old bicycle with black nut cover



Some close up:



black plastic nut cover 1black plastic nut cover 2









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Aug 30 at 7:48

























asked Aug 27 at 14:59









nimcap

2056




2056







  • 1




    Perhaps to be able to unscrew the nuts without having to use a wrench? I'm curious to see some other answers. They also kind of look like the covers that are use when shipping wheels so the axles don't punch through the box but you wouldn't leave those on, and they look a little different. Do you have an up-close picture of them as well?
    – Nate W
    Aug 27 at 15:27











  • @NateW if they're plastic I wouldn't think they're durable enough to repeatedly unscrew the nut
    – Swifty
    Aug 27 at 21:53










  • @Swifty a valid point
    – Nate W
    Aug 28 at 14:54












  • 1




    Perhaps to be able to unscrew the nuts without having to use a wrench? I'm curious to see some other answers. They also kind of look like the covers that are use when shipping wheels so the axles don't punch through the box but you wouldn't leave those on, and they look a little different. Do you have an up-close picture of them as well?
    – Nate W
    Aug 27 at 15:27











  • @NateW if they're plastic I wouldn't think they're durable enough to repeatedly unscrew the nut
    – Swifty
    Aug 27 at 21:53










  • @Swifty a valid point
    – Nate W
    Aug 28 at 14:54







1




1




Perhaps to be able to unscrew the nuts without having to use a wrench? I'm curious to see some other answers. They also kind of look like the covers that are use when shipping wheels so the axles don't punch through the box but you wouldn't leave those on, and they look a little different. Do you have an up-close picture of them as well?
– Nate W
Aug 27 at 15:27





Perhaps to be able to unscrew the nuts without having to use a wrench? I'm curious to see some other answers. They also kind of look like the covers that are use when shipping wheels so the axles don't punch through the box but you wouldn't leave those on, and they look a little different. Do you have an up-close picture of them as well?
– Nate W
Aug 27 at 15:27













@NateW if they're plastic I wouldn't think they're durable enough to repeatedly unscrew the nut
– Swifty
Aug 27 at 21:53




@NateW if they're plastic I wouldn't think they're durable enough to repeatedly unscrew the nut
– Swifty
Aug 27 at 21:53












@Swifty a valid point
– Nate W
Aug 28 at 14:54




@Swifty a valid point
– Nate W
Aug 28 at 14:54










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
28
down vote



accepted










Those look like packing pieces used to stop the axle ends from punching through the cardboard box partially assembled bikes are delivered in.



I'd imaging they are being used to stop the axle nuts getting scuffed or scratched.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    That's exactly what they are. They can be removed and discarded, or they can be saved in case the bike needs to be shipped in the future.
    – Carey Gregory
    Aug 27 at 17:57










  • Packing protections. Some might leave them on as a kind of protection, scratching of objects or cuts from edges.
    – Carel
    Aug 27 at 17:58










  • Note that some of them replace the quick release skewer so you need to put that skewer back on.
    – RoboKaren
    Aug 27 at 21:08






  • 1




    I am kind of disappointed by the truth, I was expecting it to be so much more after seeing it on many bikes :)
    – nimcap
    Aug 31 at 13:22

















up vote
10
down vote













The flattened black plastic disks are packing covers as the other answer attests. You see these on low-end bikes in a box because ... well.. they come flatpacked in a box.



But some bikes come with decorative nut covers — especially for through-hole, bolted axles. This helps hide the exposed bolt and makes it less likely you’ll scrape your leg against the exposed threads. I see this on ”mom bikes” in Japan where there are hardly any quick releases.






share|improve this answer


















  • 1




    Do you have a close up shot of the decorative type? I’m apprehensive of googling decorative nut covers ;)
    – Swifty
    Aug 31 at 17:56










Your Answer







StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "126"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);

else
createEditor();

);

function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: false,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);



);













 

draft saved


draft discarded


















StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fbicycles.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f56767%2fwhat-is-the-black-plastic-circle-on-wheel-axle-nut%23new-answer', 'question_page');

);

Post as a guest






























2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
28
down vote



accepted










Those look like packing pieces used to stop the axle ends from punching through the cardboard box partially assembled bikes are delivered in.



I'd imaging they are being used to stop the axle nuts getting scuffed or scratched.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    That's exactly what they are. They can be removed and discarded, or they can be saved in case the bike needs to be shipped in the future.
    – Carey Gregory
    Aug 27 at 17:57










  • Packing protections. Some might leave them on as a kind of protection, scratching of objects or cuts from edges.
    – Carel
    Aug 27 at 17:58










  • Note that some of them replace the quick release skewer so you need to put that skewer back on.
    – RoboKaren
    Aug 27 at 21:08






  • 1




    I am kind of disappointed by the truth, I was expecting it to be so much more after seeing it on many bikes :)
    – nimcap
    Aug 31 at 13:22














up vote
28
down vote



accepted










Those look like packing pieces used to stop the axle ends from punching through the cardboard box partially assembled bikes are delivered in.



I'd imaging they are being used to stop the axle nuts getting scuffed or scratched.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    That's exactly what they are. They can be removed and discarded, or they can be saved in case the bike needs to be shipped in the future.
    – Carey Gregory
    Aug 27 at 17:57










  • Packing protections. Some might leave them on as a kind of protection, scratching of objects or cuts from edges.
    – Carel
    Aug 27 at 17:58










  • Note that some of them replace the quick release skewer so you need to put that skewer back on.
    – RoboKaren
    Aug 27 at 21:08






  • 1




    I am kind of disappointed by the truth, I was expecting it to be so much more after seeing it on many bikes :)
    – nimcap
    Aug 31 at 13:22












up vote
28
down vote



accepted







up vote
28
down vote



accepted






Those look like packing pieces used to stop the axle ends from punching through the cardboard box partially assembled bikes are delivered in.



I'd imaging they are being used to stop the axle nuts getting scuffed or scratched.






share|improve this answer












Those look like packing pieces used to stop the axle ends from punching through the cardboard box partially assembled bikes are delivered in.



I'd imaging they are being used to stop the axle nuts getting scuffed or scratched.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Aug 27 at 15:46









Argenti Apparatus

23.9k12661




23.9k12661







  • 1




    That's exactly what they are. They can be removed and discarded, or they can be saved in case the bike needs to be shipped in the future.
    – Carey Gregory
    Aug 27 at 17:57










  • Packing protections. Some might leave them on as a kind of protection, scratching of objects or cuts from edges.
    – Carel
    Aug 27 at 17:58










  • Note that some of them replace the quick release skewer so you need to put that skewer back on.
    – RoboKaren
    Aug 27 at 21:08






  • 1




    I am kind of disappointed by the truth, I was expecting it to be so much more after seeing it on many bikes :)
    – nimcap
    Aug 31 at 13:22












  • 1




    That's exactly what they are. They can be removed and discarded, or they can be saved in case the bike needs to be shipped in the future.
    – Carey Gregory
    Aug 27 at 17:57










  • Packing protections. Some might leave them on as a kind of protection, scratching of objects or cuts from edges.
    – Carel
    Aug 27 at 17:58










  • Note that some of them replace the quick release skewer so you need to put that skewer back on.
    – RoboKaren
    Aug 27 at 21:08






  • 1




    I am kind of disappointed by the truth, I was expecting it to be so much more after seeing it on many bikes :)
    – nimcap
    Aug 31 at 13:22







1




1




That's exactly what they are. They can be removed and discarded, or they can be saved in case the bike needs to be shipped in the future.
– Carey Gregory
Aug 27 at 17:57




That's exactly what they are. They can be removed and discarded, or they can be saved in case the bike needs to be shipped in the future.
– Carey Gregory
Aug 27 at 17:57












Packing protections. Some might leave them on as a kind of protection, scratching of objects or cuts from edges.
– Carel
Aug 27 at 17:58




Packing protections. Some might leave them on as a kind of protection, scratching of objects or cuts from edges.
– Carel
Aug 27 at 17:58












Note that some of them replace the quick release skewer so you need to put that skewer back on.
– RoboKaren
Aug 27 at 21:08




Note that some of them replace the quick release skewer so you need to put that skewer back on.
– RoboKaren
Aug 27 at 21:08




1




1




I am kind of disappointed by the truth, I was expecting it to be so much more after seeing it on many bikes :)
– nimcap
Aug 31 at 13:22




I am kind of disappointed by the truth, I was expecting it to be so much more after seeing it on many bikes :)
– nimcap
Aug 31 at 13:22










up vote
10
down vote













The flattened black plastic disks are packing covers as the other answer attests. You see these on low-end bikes in a box because ... well.. they come flatpacked in a box.



But some bikes come with decorative nut covers — especially for through-hole, bolted axles. This helps hide the exposed bolt and makes it less likely you’ll scrape your leg against the exposed threads. I see this on ”mom bikes” in Japan where there are hardly any quick releases.






share|improve this answer


















  • 1




    Do you have a close up shot of the decorative type? I’m apprehensive of googling decorative nut covers ;)
    – Swifty
    Aug 31 at 17:56














up vote
10
down vote













The flattened black plastic disks are packing covers as the other answer attests. You see these on low-end bikes in a box because ... well.. they come flatpacked in a box.



But some bikes come with decorative nut covers — especially for through-hole, bolted axles. This helps hide the exposed bolt and makes it less likely you’ll scrape your leg against the exposed threads. I see this on ”mom bikes” in Japan where there are hardly any quick releases.






share|improve this answer


















  • 1




    Do you have a close up shot of the decorative type? I’m apprehensive of googling decorative nut covers ;)
    – Swifty
    Aug 31 at 17:56












up vote
10
down vote










up vote
10
down vote









The flattened black plastic disks are packing covers as the other answer attests. You see these on low-end bikes in a box because ... well.. they come flatpacked in a box.



But some bikes come with decorative nut covers — especially for through-hole, bolted axles. This helps hide the exposed bolt and makes it less likely you’ll scrape your leg against the exposed threads. I see this on ”mom bikes” in Japan where there are hardly any quick releases.






share|improve this answer














The flattened black plastic disks are packing covers as the other answer attests. You see these on low-end bikes in a box because ... well.. they come flatpacked in a box.



But some bikes come with decorative nut covers — especially for through-hole, bolted axles. This helps hide the exposed bolt and makes it less likely you’ll scrape your leg against the exposed threads. I see this on ”mom bikes” in Japan where there are hardly any quick releases.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Aug 31 at 16:04

























answered Aug 27 at 20:59









RoboKaren

22k651126




22k651126







  • 1




    Do you have a close up shot of the decorative type? I’m apprehensive of googling decorative nut covers ;)
    – Swifty
    Aug 31 at 17:56












  • 1




    Do you have a close up shot of the decorative type? I’m apprehensive of googling decorative nut covers ;)
    – Swifty
    Aug 31 at 17:56







1




1




Do you have a close up shot of the decorative type? I’m apprehensive of googling decorative nut covers ;)
– Swifty
Aug 31 at 17:56




Do you have a close up shot of the decorative type? I’m apprehensive of googling decorative nut covers ;)
– Swifty
Aug 31 at 17:56

















 

draft saved


draft discarded















































 


draft saved


draft discarded














StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fbicycles.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f56767%2fwhat-is-the-black-plastic-circle-on-wheel-axle-nut%23new-answer', 'question_page');

);

Post as a guest













































































這個網誌中的熱門文章

How to combine Bézier curves to a surface?

Mutual Information Always Non-negative

Why am i infinitely getting the same tweet with the Twitter Search API?