peter_d

From Bicycling Magazines book "1,000 all time best tips" Tip # 56
"Wipe your road tires while riding. Even if they have a protective Kevlar belt, it pays to brush the tread every few minutes. Use the palm of your glove. Be very careful when reaching back to the rear tire until you get the hang of it. A hand jammed between the spinning whell and the seat tube can break a bone in your hand or send you flying."
WTF....does anyone actually DO this!!!!!

euphoria

solid advice if you run through a patch of broken glass, but not every 5 minutes like a coked-out OCD freak

'nother

A surprising number of weenies engage in this. It's especially common after running through a patch of glass or other debris. Ineffective, but common.

cat4ever

I see people doing this in nasty weather races.

I did read once in Bicycling Magazine that a person should use Armour All to clean tires. WTF?

Namenda

Since I have the coordination of a dead monkfish, I'll pass on trying this.

crtreedude 

So that is why the guy in the LBS did it to me. Recipe for a wild ride. Take one MTB and a mechanic not thinking straight. Have him Armour All your tires. Ride said bike off road in wet conditions.

cyclezealot

Should I find myself riding through a debris field, I will even get off the bike and do such. Better than the time spent fixing a flat.

Sixty Fiver

I'd have to smoke a joint to have that sound like a sensible idea... and the armour all on tires has also got to be on that list.

late

Armor All is nasty stuff. It's the heroin of the plastic world. Once you start using it,
you have to keep using it or the damage will accelerate.

If you get a 10 year old clunker of a car, it's perfect. But for something like a bike tire it's not a good idea.

curiouskid55

Do it when conditions warrant. Not every ride and definately not evrry few minutes.

CharlieWoo

By the time you get your hand to the tire it's already made numerous revolutions (at any decent speed) and the damage is likely done.

rufvelo

For those who started biking/racing yesterday, this was the done thing in racing on tubulars for about 50 years. I've done it myself for about 10yrs. I disagree with the 'every few minutes part' though.

terry b

If you live in a place where Goatheads grow, you do this or you have 5 flats per ride between December and April. Far better to wipe your tire when the telltale "thump thump thump" appears than to carry a box of tubes in a backpack.

Yoshi

It can take awhile for a piece of glass to work its way into your tire. I wipe whenever I run over glass or if I hear a bump in the tire rotation. It may not be effective but it certainly doesn't make it worse.

jkizzle

i just use metal tires.

pseudobrit

Gloves are for winter snot.

flaco

I tried this once when I was on my first road bike, at about 12 years old. Only problem was, I thought you put your hand behind the fork, not in front of it... I jammed my hand in there pretty good and went flying.

Anyway, even with the proper technique, I don't think it accomplishes anything.

SEAtrain

Yep, both necessary and effective in Goathead country.

Brian

It makes it easier to shed mud. (and the rider )

atomship47

if i see or suspect something is stuck on my front tire, i'll hold my shoe against it. if that doesn't work, i get off the bike and look at it. rear tire....i get off the bike.

patentcad

Occasionally after running over broken glass on damp days. This practice does require a modicum of bike handling skills. Not for newbies, disoriented Freds, or anyone who can't walk and chew gum @ the same time.

Indolent58

I did. Twelve stitches and a fracture. Not recommended.

DocRay

Most riders with experience do this, it saves a lot of flats. I have had two flats in three years.

Jed19

I did this successfully for many years, however, the last time, I got my hand jammed in between the seattube and the rear tire, and went flying.

Lucky that I escaped serious injury, but I had to buy a new handlebar and of course, new wrapping tape.

I DO NOT DO IT ANYMORE!

If I ride thru debris, I 'll stop, get of my bike, then wipe the tires.

Regards,

DocRay

Why would you put your hand there?

A little common sense would say do this in front of the front wheel brakes or behind the rear wheel brakes. It's not too hard to consider the tire rotation.