Ever heard of this?

[Flybye]

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

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 fifth 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?

[Zen]

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

[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.

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

[KnottedYet]

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.

[Trek420]

You have a point there.

[teawoman]

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. . 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 again. Getting really good at the lingo, I am .

[uforgot]

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.

[Mr. Bloom]

what is a goathead?

[OakLeaf]

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.

[7rider]

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.

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.

[silver]

what is a goathead?

I know something that Mr. doesn't. 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.

[sbctwin]

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

[singletrackmind]

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.

[smilingcat]

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.

-------------------
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

[mimitabby]

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.