I removed the pie plate from my new Ghost Slamr 29 mountain bike. I did not follow Bicycling magazine’s instructions above. I used cutting tools. I am lazy. I did not feel like removing the wheel, finding a chain whip and extracting the cassette from the hub. So I used the tools below. I don’t think it was necessary to remove this plastic disc. I claim its for aesthetic reasons. Also, in all my years of riding I have never overshifted from my largest cog into the spokes of my wheel. Of course, I am barely capable in most technical matters. And if it ever happens, well, you can rest assured that I will have deserved it.