glass + tires
 

i just ran over a large chunck of glass which popped my tube. I have a road bike and i pump my tubes up to 120psi. I could see the hole in tire where it was punctured. Do i need to replace my tire?

Sheldon says "No".

Your tire should be fine, don't worry about it.

Here's my test:

Pump your tire up to 120psi. Examine the area surrounding the hole. If you can feel a raised bump or blister or if the tire tread makes a little "Z" shape, you have cut tire cords and should replace the tire.

Absent the above symptoms, you're good-to-go. Some guys squirt a little Super Glue or glob some Shoe Goo into the hole vacated by the glass but I don't let it bother me.

Is there any point in adding the super glue? I have some but if it doesnt serve a purpose other than to make me feel good about myself then i wont do it. :P

Thanks for the help!

Keep an eye on it--glass is worse than something like a nail because it may cut several threads in the casing rather than just poking through. Over time it can work into a larger hole.
You can also "boot" the tire with a piece of almost anything, inside the casing between the tire and tube. The traditional roadside boot is a dollar bill (strong, durable and only costs a buck), but I've seen people use leather, fabric and a piece cut from a mountain bike shoe (would have been cheaper to use the dollar...). I've also used that long, useless oval patch that comes with some tire repair kits--just roughen the inside of the tire and glue it on.

Up here we no longer have dollar bills, but I've successfully used a business card to cover a small rip in the sidewall for several years now. Works fine, and even cheaper than a buck.

Can't cram a looney in there?

Yet another job for duck tape!

If the tire is deformed around the hole, IMO, it is time to give it an honorable disposal. If the tire not deformed around the hole, you can give yourself an extra margin of safety by putting a boot on the inner surface of the tire over the hole to prevent a bit of the tube from exuding itself through the hole and getting pinched. Just use something that is reasonably stiff for the boot and you should be fine.

Maybe some photos would increase the accuracy of the replies......

Probably would be easier than cramming the damned things into a wallet or pocket!