Tire doctors: a device that scrapes road crud off tires
11-28-12, 02:41 PM
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Tire doctors: a device that scrapes road crud off tires
About 30 years ago I had a pair of small devices that attached to the bolt that held the sidepull brakes and held a bit of wire on the tires to scrape off road crud. Almost all of my flats over the last 8 years have been from goatheads that work their way through my tires (even kevlar-belted tires) and 2 (count 'em: 2) tire liners. If I'm on a safe road or path I look for them and scrape them off with my hand. A 'tire doctor' (that's what I remember calling them; I don't know their technical name) may do that for me. I can't find them at any bike store on- or off-line.
Does anyone remember these? Know the right name? Know where I can buy them? Have instructions for how to make them? I'm pretty sure I can figure it out and make something with scraps of brake or derailleur cable wire, heat-shrink tubing, and a washer, but I'd pay a few bucks for something I could hope was professionally designed and constructed.
Does anyone remember these? Know the right name? Know where I can buy them? Have instructions for how to make them? I'm pretty sure I can figure it out and make something with scraps of brake or derailleur cable wire, heat-shrink tubing, and a washer, but I'd pay a few bucks for something I could hope was professionally designed and constructed.
11-28-12, 03:12 PM
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Here's a link to what I think you're asking about Tire savers. Years ago, I made and sold hundreds of thousands of these, but demand went away and I discontinued them. I still have parts and can make you a set for $8.00 including postage within the USA. Mine are a bit different from those pictured, in that I use a stamping rather than wire for the upper bracket, and mine are all black.
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11-28-12, 03:43 PM
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I worked for Bicycle Research back in the day :-). Yepp, we sold a LOT of Tire Savers back then. They require a standard brake bolt mount, although I've used them with recessed bolts by mounting them on the same side as the calipers and using two small washers. Usually, the recessed brake bolts had more than enough threaded length to secure the brake and the extra washers and wire didn't compromise brake pivot or centering.
Most users complained that it was causing drag and would make an ever small buzzing with some types of tread patterns. Definitely NOT for knobbies. LOL! Key to installing them was having a decent tire with round, even casing. Most folks were commuting on junk bikes with cheap tires. These would have radial run-out of a 1/4 inch sometimes, and that meant in order for the tire savers to work, we'd have to have at least barely zero contact at the smallest radius, but that would mean a higher pressure physical contact when the radius was at its max. This was great until the rider rolled the bike backwards.
Most users complained that it was causing drag and would make an ever small buzzing with some types of tread patterns. Definitely NOT for knobbies. LOL! Key to installing them was having a decent tire with round, even casing. Most folks were commuting on junk bikes with cheap tires. These would have radial run-out of a 1/4 inch sometimes, and that meant in order for the tire savers to work, we'd have to have at least barely zero contact at the smallest radius, but that would mean a higher pressure physical contact when the radius was at its max. This was great until the rider rolled the bike backwards.
11-28-12, 04:26 PM
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I worked for Bicycle Research back in the day :-). Yepp, we sold a LOT of Tire Savers back then. They require a standard brake bolt mount, although I've used them with recessed bolts by mounting them on the same side as the calipers and using two small washers. Usually, the recessed brake bolts had more than enough threaded length to secure the brake and the extra washers and wire didn't compromise brake pivot or centering.
Most users complained that it was causing drag and would make an ever small buzzing with some types of tread patterns. Definitely NOT for knobbies. LOL! Key to installing them was having a decent tire with round, even casing. Most folks were commuting on junk bikes with cheap tires. These would have radial run-out of a 1/4 inch sometimes, and that meant in order for the tire savers to work, we'd have to have at least barely zero contact at the smallest radius, but that would mean a higher pressure physical contact when the radius was at its max. This was great until the rider rolled the bike backwards.
Most users complained that it was causing drag and would make an ever small buzzing with some types of tread patterns. Definitely NOT for knobbies. LOL! Key to installing them was having a decent tire with round, even casing. Most folks were commuting on junk bikes with cheap tires. These would have radial run-out of a 1/4 inch sometimes, and that meant in order for the tire savers to work, we'd have to have at least barely zero contact at the smallest radius, but that would mean a higher pressure physical contact when the radius was at its max. This was great until the rider rolled the bike backwards.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
11-28-12, 04:29 PM
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I happen to make those and have sold lots of sets to guys on the C&V forum. Top pictures for standard mount. Bottom set will fit bikes with fenders. Please contact me via PM if you'd like more info. Thanks.
11-28-12, 04:30 PM
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not so much Crud, But the sharp things that will work their way into the tire after a few revolutions ..
and cause a Flat Tire..
and cause a Flat Tire..
11-28-12, 04:33 PM
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Just saw that you are too new to send PM's . I sent you one with my contact info if you'd care to follow up. Thx.
11-28-12, 11:02 PM
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https://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cg...id=59774606123 I used them years ago. I found that after I stopped that they weren't really helping and the number of flats did not increase.
11-29-12, 10:02 AM
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I had them 30 odd years ago too. Many places sold them. I mounted the front one, on the front edge of the front fender. That way in the rain the water off the tire gets directed forward, keeping you body (somewhat) dryer. But I'd say tires are build much better than the old days, but there's alot of crap in the road to give you trouble. Cheers, Chris
