Roadside puncture repairs, best way to remove offending sharp object?
07-16-23, 12:10 PM
#1
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Roadside puncture repairs, best way to remove offending sharp object?
Hi, I have been cycling for many years and have always carried a small pair of pliers and a sharp tool to remove any thorns, glass etc... from a tyre. My son has recently got into cycling but wants to travel as light as possible. I was just wondering if it's actually necessary to be be hauling around pliers and sharp tool to remove sharp splinters from a tyre?
07-16-23, 12:25 PM
#2
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Depends on many things about personal preference and how often one is inconvenienced by flat tires from a actual tread puncture. For the thin tires with little to no tread pattern on a road bike, I've never had an issue pulling out bits of wire, thorns or rock shards with my fingers or scratching them out with my finger nail.
I don't carry much around in my bike bag either except for a few allen keys, a screwdriver with a flat and Phillips point, a tube and CO2 inflator with some levers. Never carried pliers or a multi-tool. Although one time I found a swiss army knife in there that was forgotten in the bottom of the bag till one day I emptied it out.
Your son will build up his bag with the stuff he finds he needs. Experiences will tell him what those tools and things will be. Planning for the unexpected that never happens can have one carrying a small bicycle shop with them that is never used.
Welcome to BF!
I don't carry much around in my bike bag either except for a few allen keys, a screwdriver with a flat and Phillips point, a tube and CO2 inflator with some levers. Never carried pliers or a multi-tool. Although one time I found a swiss army knife in there that was forgotten in the bottom of the bag till one day I emptied it out.
Your son will build up his bag with the stuff he finds he needs. Experiences will tell him what those tools and things will be. Planning for the unexpected that never happens can have one carrying a small bicycle shop with them that is never used.
Welcome to BF!
07-16-23, 12:38 PM
#3
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I've just been thinking about this. How about a sharp pair of tweezers? Small, weigh virtually nothing and can be used for digging out and pulling offending object?
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07-16-23, 12:53 PM
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Iride01’s response is spot-on. But if you want to carry a tweezer, have at it!
07-16-23, 01:03 PM
#5
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Have had good luck with this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Once actually needed it (had a wire embedded deeply enough that I couldn't get it out with fingernails)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Once actually needed it (had a wire embedded deeply enough that I couldn't get it out with fingernails)
07-16-23, 01:06 PM
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I carry a tool kit, but really, there are so many things that could be used to lever out an offending object. I never thought about taking pliers just for flat repair.
I used to carry around a set of Points Pliers in my bike bag. They are about as small and light weight as you can get and still be generally effective.
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2-Inch.../dp/B074PCBGC4
Now days I just carry a small multi-tool along with my regular multi bike tool.
https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Dime-M...s%2C150&sr=1-1
I used to carry around a set of Points Pliers in my bike bag. They are about as small and light weight as you can get and still be generally effective.
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2-Inch.../dp/B074PCBGC4
Now days I just carry a small multi-tool along with my regular multi bike tool.
https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Dime-M...s%2C150&sr=1-1
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07-16-23, 01:19 PM
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07-16-23, 02:47 PM
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I always carry my Leatherman multitool which has pliers. I never actually had to use pliers to pull any sharp objects out of my tire but I still carry my Leatherman tool just in case I ever need it. It's a very useful tool to have around.
07-16-23, 03:15 PM
#9
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I have a Gerber Dime multi tool that has a small tweezer on it, and it's in the tool bag I carry whenever I ride, along with various other tools I might need. I don't have any folks in the area that I can call in case of a breakdown, so I'm prepared for most malfunctions, from a flat tire to a broken chain. Self reliance is a good thing.
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07-16-23, 05:10 PM
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Depends on many things about personal preference and how often one is inconvenienced by flat tires from a actual tread puncture. For the thin tires with little to no tread pattern on a road bike, I've never had an issue pulling out bits of wire, thorns or rock shards with my fingers or scratching them out with my finger nail.
07-16-23, 05:22 PM
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Always carry this kind of tweezers with my patch kit. Useful for removing thin wires from auto tires.
07-16-23, 05:47 PM
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+1 I cannot speak for the current Leathermans (Leathermen?) but my pre-1990 0ne is the single best pair of pliers I have ever used for pulling out very small objects. I have been known to set down my shop pliers and traversed the house to get my riding Leatherman. Almost as good as very good tweezers for grabbing and they pull a whole lot harder. I love that you can push solidly into tire casings to get the sliver to bulge out enough to grab.
07-16-23, 10:50 PM
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In 35 years I have never found the need to carry a tool to pull out a piece of glass, thorn or piece of wire. I use my fingers and pull the offending item out. Never had an issue.
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07-17-23, 06:50 AM
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Fingernails almost always work for me. If my wife ever got interested in cycling, I'd put some tweezers in her seat bag; her fingernails flex much more than mine.
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07-17-23, 07:49 AM
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My fingernails are weak and my fingertips are shaped like doorknobs, so I've used my teeth to pull little sharp things out of tires a few times. 
At home, I use a small sharp nail to pry little things out of tire treads.
At home, I use a small sharp nail to pry little things out of tire treads.
