Ever heard of this?

There is nothing worse than not knowing what something is called, but I am intrigued enough to make a fool out of myself.............just call me the intriguing fool :cool:

An older gentleman cyclist from our area just happens to sell bike stuff out of his home - tubes, tires, etc. Tonight I purchased tubes from him - he even delivered them to my home - not the point, just wanted to comment on the nice gesture.

So we were talking about flats - I am on my :mad:fifth:mad: flat since I started riding outside. All of my flats are due to goatheads. He commented that he has a part on his road bike and could not for the life of him remember what it was called. This part sits just above his tire (he has one by the front tire and one one by the back tire) and it removes, or scrapes the goathead thorn from the tire before the tire can revolve again and puncture the tire. It doesn't touch the tire. He is an older man - I'd bet he's 68 or so. He said he purchased them years ago. Again, he for the life of him could not remember what they were called. He said he has not seen them in stores, either. He also said that he only gets about 2 flats an entire season, and he rides nearly every night, 20 miles.

This was a new one to me. Has anyone else heard of this?

Apparently not (so far, anyway).
Can you take a photo and post it?

My LBS (Hi Chris!) says "The device she speaks of was called a " Tire saver " mounted to the brake caliper using a spring piece of wire (generally made from a bicycle spoke) to constantly brush the tire tread in hope of dislodging glass slivers and the like before they could penetrate all the way to the inner tube."

Yes they work, yes I've seen them before though not so much now.

But they work, and don't drag on the tire. And they look cool too. My LBS has a customer who is a mechanical engineer, he custom makes these. So if anyone here wants one I can put you in touch.

Of course you can always brush the tire with your glove from time to time or when you suspect you went over glass. I've seen riders who can even sweep clear the rear tire in motion.

I tried that once, it's why folks call me Trek-old geezer with 8 fingers-420 :rolleyes:

Hmmm, sliver of glass in my tire, sliver of glass driven through my glove and into my tender sensitive palm....

I think I'd rather have the Tire Saver.

You have a point there. :rolleyes:

That sounds great. I just had my first flat today. That was after I decided to "go light" and not carry a spare tube with me. :rolleyes::o. Fortunately it was on a club ride, so I'm just gonna bring a tube and some CO2 thingies next week for the nice guy who helped me.

I think what caused it was my highway weekend ride. There were two little pieces of wire (I think from blown tires) that worked their way through the tire and punctured the tube.

Says me, who will *never* go anywhere without a spare tube and pump and hook thingies :o again. Getting really good at the lingo, I am ;).

Found on Sheldon Brown:

Tire Savers

Some punctures are caused by glass slivers or thorns gradually working their way through the tire tread. What can happen is that a small sharp object may be picked up by the tire, then gradually work its way in over the course of several tire revolutions. The pointy thing is driven in like a nail into wood by repeated blows against the pavement. A formerly popular device called a "tire saver" or "flint snatcher" used a loosely spring piece of wire (generally made from a bicycle spoke) to constantly brush the tire tread in hope of dislodging glass slivers and the like before they could penetrate all the way to the inner tube.

These are of dubious value in practice, but may be of help in backward areas where throwaway beverage bottles are still legal, and glass slivers are a major problem.


Also found this pic on the net.

what is a goathead?

One of the guys I ride with in Florida has a similar thing made out of fine chain (think the weight of a medium gauge pendant chain).

Something about my new bike's geometry (or maybe I just haven't got all my handling skills back, which is likely, but I think it's the bike too), I can't wipe my rear tire with my hand. The front tire is easy enough, though - not much farther a reach than the water bottle.

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Of course you can always brush the tire with your glove from time to time or when you suspect you went over glass. I've seen riders who can even sweep clear the rear tire in motion.

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Front tire is easy with that (that's why good gloves are a must!).
A friend of mine can do the back tire, too. I'm a bit nervous about that one and prefer to pull over, given the opportunity, and rotate the tire and check it visually.
Wet roads are really bad for causing flats.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

what is a goathead?

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I know something that Mr. doesn't. :p Though I admittedly only know about them from you ladies. a goathead is a plant bur, a thorny thing that falls off a plant in the southwest.

I had them on my old Gitane...STICKER FLICKERS :p is what I called them. I NEVER had a flat with these things...

What about a tire liner? I use the cheaper, heavier tuffys but there are lighter versions. Works for me both mountain and road though the worst we have prolly doesn't compare to a goathead. Doesn't save the sidewall, just the tread area, which, again, works for me all but one time so far. In 15 years of using them.

I just use my hand to clear debris off my wheel.

You don't have to rub your hand hard against the tire. If anything, you just want to brush lightly. I "brush" the wheel between my thumb and my forefinger. glove is a must and I have yet to get cut with glass shards, sharp pieces of metal or a nail.

The front wheel is done by placing the hand in front of the brake caliper where the wheel has cleared the brake calipers and rotating away from it. If you are unsteady, you can brace your hand against the brake caliper.

The back wheel is done by reaching between your leg and just behind the seat tube. Never place your hand where you can get your hand caught between the brake caliper and the wheel. Also when you do this, its easier if you are coasting and not pedalling. Riding a straight line makes it easier too.

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am I just too cheap or what? I patch my tire until they have about a half a dozen or so patches. Never had reliability issues with patched tires. I just find it so wasteful when people throw away the tube wih one simple flat. newer glueless thin patches are useless. The old fashioned with glue kind works really well.

tire liners/protectors. they worked really well for me, though I haven't used them in a long time. It's a bit of hassle.

smilingcat

http://www.klickitat-trail.org/images/goathead.jpg

The goathead is a light green low-lying plant with pretty little flowers. Its seed pods are deadly. when the pods get hard, the plant is almost invisible, as it blends into the background. YOu will not know what hit you; that is; until you check your tires.

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Originally Posted by silver

I know something that Mr. doesn't. :p

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LOL! :D Shall we hear yet another admission from Mr. that you possess greater knowledge? http://bestsmileys.com/eating1/16.gif

Those tire savers also went by the name "flint catchers". I used them years ago with sewup tires and never had a flat. I've looked for them in recent years but could never find any.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

am I just too cheap or what? I patch my tire until they have about a half a dozen or so patches. Never had reliability issues with patched tires. I just find it so wasteful when people throw away the tube wih one simple flat. newer glueless thin patches are useless. The old fashioned with glue kind works really well.

tire liners/protectors. they worked really well for me, though I haven't used them in a long time. It's a bit of hassle.

smilingcat

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I keep a patch kit too, along with a spare tube in case the patch kit doesn't cover the job......though I always end up using my kit on other people's tubes (no flats, knock on wood).
The liner is a bit of a hassle the first time you get it in there, no doubt about that!

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Originally Posted by Trek420

My LBS (Hi Chris!) says "The device she speaks of was called a " Tire saver " mounted to the brake caliper using a spring piece of wire (generally made from a bicycle spoke) to constantly brush the tire tread in hope of dislodging glass slivers and the like before they could penetrate all the way to the inner tube."

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Ok... so they brush the tire... constantly, to dislodge glass etc...

Then how does this work >

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Originally Posted by Trek420

But they work, and don't drag on the tire.

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:confused: If they brush the tire, they must cause some drag on the tire... yes? :confused:

They can be bent and adjusted so that they float ever so slightly above the tire (distance about the width of a business card).

My :p 'sticker flickers' rode just a hair above the tire. They were flexible enough for me to bend them around the tire, but they didn't 'rub' the tire. They would 'flick' the sticker (goat head) before a revolution of the tire, hence not lodging their prickly little thorns to cause damage. I had them in the 70's :D...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

My LBS (Hi Chris!) says "The device she speaks of was called a " Tire saver " mounted to the brake caliper using a spring piece of wire (generally made from a bicycle spoke) to constantly brush the tire tread in hope of dislodging glass slivers and the like before they could penetrate all the way to the inner tube."

Yes they work, yes I've seen them before though not so much now.

But they work, and don't drag on the tire. And they look cool too. My LBS has a customer who is a mechanical engineer, he custom makes these. So if anyone here wants one I can put you in touch.

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I am interested! I have used 4 tubes so far at $5 a pop - pun intended. I recently found some for $3 each, but I am sick of changing tubes after long rides. How much and can we see a picture of them?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Flybye

I am interested! I have used 4 tubes so far at $5 a pop - pun intended. I recently found some for $3 each, but I am sick of changing tubes after long rides. How much and can we see a picture of them?

Thanks!

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Owner of Robinson Wheelworks, in San Leandro CA, Chris Robinson has a client who's a cyclist and a mechanical engineer. He says this guy can make 'em custom for your bike. He says it's usually a 2-3 week wait for the tire thingies. Feel free to PM me for his contact info.

He's a tiny shop, just two awesome, funny, smart guys. So be patient if e-mail takes a while. But I imagine he can put you in touch with this fine fellow.

Tell him Trek sentcha! If he says "huh? :confused:" "She's the gal with the Mondonica, GT, Motobecane & Giant. The one who's single handedly dropped the 'average cost per RWW bike price' by bringing in her bikes" ;)

There's quite a few TE'ers who go to Chris. :)

Trek, I would be interested also....

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

what is a goathead?

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YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!

Seriously, it is a little thorn like thing with numerous hooks on it that when it works into your tire it is a little hole making monster! If you live near them, you MUST slime your tires.

spoke

sbctwin & Flybye, I'm PM'ing you the info :D

Goat heads are not much fun in bare feet, either. :eek:

I remember this post from RolliePollie from 9-5-7



Ode to the Goathead Thorn
by Sara

Goathead weed with sharpest of thorn
You’re not my friend; I’m very forlorn
Tribulus Terrestris or Puncturevine
Whatever they call you will do just fine
Beside the roads that I do ride
Your spikey thorns do lurk and hide
With flowers of gold and leaves of green
You’re one of the prettier weeds I’ve seen
You spread across the soil and dirt
Just waiting to cause me grief and hurt
Growing there, so innocent and mild
No one would guess you’re evil and wild
You need no water, with sun you thrive
You’ll live where nothing else can survive
You grow and grow, you will not stop
Your thorns they make my tires go pop
Right through the rubber on my tire
You poke your spike and my tubes expire
As summer winds down and fall draws near
You’re strong as ever and I’m filled with fear
That as I’m riding by tomorrow
My heart will be filled with flat tire sorrow
So please be kind and hold back your wrath
Keep your bleeping thorns out of my path!

Go to this website.
http://www.rodcycle.com/
Click on "download our newsletter"
That will bring you to a list of newsletters.
Click on August 2007. The information is on page 7 of the August 2007 newsletter.

Hope I haven't jinxed myself reading about tackweed, I am going on a ride on Sunday in Yakima.

Here's a beautiful Davidson bike with tire savers. This one's positioned differently than Chris sets them up. He prefers them on the brake somehow.

Chris now has these in stock. They are handmade by one of his clients who is a mechanical engineer.

He says "back in the day" ;) tire savers were the rage. Now folks want race bikes, race bikes don't have tire savers. But most riders will never notice this gizmo is there, they just float over the tire and flick off debris, goat heads, glass and ... you're faster when you don't have a flat :rolleyes: ;)

That isn't a tire saver, it's a flick stand. Knott just told me the device avove enables you to just flick it down, the wheel is stationary and acts as a kickstand almost.

Maybe this should be the general "stuff we've never heard of" thread :cool:

Hey, if the engineer dude makes flickstands as well as tire-savers, there's a big ol' market of folks who are looking for them.

Dang, I should've been a mechanical engineer... (Hah!):rolleyes:

Oh, and I found a good flickstand pic right here on TE: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showp...2&postcount=10

Hey, that Raleigh Marathon Mixte had one of those, and it was integrated into the frame! (no strap to hold it on--it was screwed on to braze-ons) I kept trying to get it to flip out in some way, like it was supposed to lock the front wheel straight with the frame, but I never could. Hmm, who knew?

eta: Shoulda read ahead. So it IS for holding the front wheel straight? I could never get it squeezed enough to put into position. I'd like to see one in action. I never thought it was close enough to the wheel to scrap anything off it.

Karen

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

Hey, that Raleigh Marathon Mixte had one of those, and it was integrated into the frame! (no strap to hold it on--it was screwed on to braze-ons) I kept trying to get it to flip out in some way, like it was supposed to lock the front wheel straight with the frame, but I never could. Hmm, who knew?

eta: Shoulda read ahead. So it IS for holding the front wheel straight? I could never get it squeezed enough to put into position. I'd like to see one in action. I never thought it was close enough to the wheel to scrap anything off it.

Karen

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Yes I found somewhere online there are bikes with a braze-on for the flick-stand.

But flick stands don't flick stuff off and tire savers don't keep your wheel straight. Different things, right? Tire-savers are what Robinson Wheelworks has. OTOH someone has brought in their bike with a flick-stand.

Sorry for the confusion I have caused.

DebW? Is there a mechanic in the house?