Another shout-out for Rootboy and his tire savers! - Now sold by Compass Bicycles
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Another shout-out for Rootboy and his tire savers! - Now sold by Compass Bicycles
As many of you already know, Rootboy's handmade tire savers were reviewed in the latest issue of Bicycle Quarterly.
Well, Jan Heine just posted on his blog that Rootboy's tire savers are available for sale through Compass Bicycles. Of course, you can contact Rootboy directly to purchase a set (I have a set on my Mercian and will probably be adding sets to other bikes).
So, congratulations to Rootboy! To have an item that passes Jan Heine's personal set of criteria (which set a high, if controversial, bar) to be sold by his company is quite an accomplishment.
Well, Jan Heine just posted on his blog that Rootboy's tire savers are available for sale through Compass Bicycles. Of course, you can contact Rootboy directly to purchase a set (I have a set on my Mercian and will probably be adding sets to other bikes).
So, congratulations to Rootboy! To have an item that passes Jan Heine's personal set of criteria (which set a high, if controversial, bar) to be sold by his company is quite an accomplishment.
Last edited by southpawboston; 05-10-13 at 08:07 AM.
#2
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Good for you, rootboy. I guess this means that Jan believes these things work. I've always been skeptical.
He says you can attach one model to the trailing edge of the fender, but the back of the fender is really the leading edge when you look at the flow of water (or work) of fenders.
He says you can attach one model to the trailing edge of the fender, but the back of the fender is really the leading edge when you look at the flow of water (or work) of fenders.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 10,303
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times
in
33 Posts
Rootboy is offering a high-quality, and exclusive product at a very reasonable cost. It does not surprise me that Jan H has recognized it.
__________________
- Auchen
- Auchen
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 16,748
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 132 Times
in
78 Posts
Well, thanks SouthPaw, and Noglider and Auchencrow as well. You know, this has turned out to be better than I thought it might.
Jan order 25 sets a month ago and just wrote last night to order twenty more sets! So it sounds like they are selling well. Thanks very much guys.
Noglider. This fender mount thing is quite a departure, to me. When Jan reviewed them and then 2/3 of his order was for fender-mount version, I thought he was a little nuts to tell the truth. But I have a somewhat limited experience, having only one bike with fenders and I told Jan I hadn't really considered making that type as I certainly didn't want to drill holes in my original Frejus fenders to test them.
At first I didn't quite grasp how he did it but turns out he does indeed mount both to the trailing edge. Rear is mounted under the BB I think. But the front, and this kind of threw me, is mounted up on top of the front fender, like a hood ornament. Personally I'm not sure I'd like that but, if it works, what the heck.
He seems to be selling them very well indeed.
Thanks again fellas.
Jan order 25 sets a month ago and just wrote last night to order twenty more sets! So it sounds like they are selling well. Thanks very much guys.
Noglider. This fender mount thing is quite a departure, to me. When Jan reviewed them and then 2/3 of his order was for fender-mount version, I thought he was a little nuts to tell the truth. But I have a somewhat limited experience, having only one bike with fenders and I told Jan I hadn't really considered making that type as I certainly didn't want to drill holes in my original Frejus fenders to test them.
At first I didn't quite grasp how he did it but turns out he does indeed mount both to the trailing edge. Rear is mounted under the BB I think. But the front, and this kind of threw me, is mounted up on top of the front fender, like a hood ornament. Personally I'm not sure I'd like that but, if it works, what the heck.
He seems to be selling them very well indeed.
Thanks again fellas.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
If Jan continues to place orders like that on a regular basis, that's wonderful! Do the higher numbers translate into any increased economics of scale for your production? In that, are you finding it easier/faster to make these in larger batches?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: York, PA
Posts: 551
Bikes: '72 Peugeot PX-10; '74 Raleigh International; '87 Specialized RockHopper; '88 Specialized StumpJumper; '02 Cannondale Scalpel
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times
in
5 Posts
Bought this in 1975
They last forever, if adjusted properly.
The pair on my '72 Peugeot are 38 years old (3000 miles).
I was always getting flats riding around the seaside town of Old Monterey,
that is until Les Jocelyn, bike shop owner, sold me a set for $3.
They are great for knocking out silica/ broken glass and thorns, and tiny cinders.
They save time and money, and pay for themselves with the first flat you didn't get.
If you only ride on clean highways and never flat, you don't need them.
The pair on my '72 Peugeot are 38 years old (3000 miles).
I was always getting flats riding around the seaside town of Old Monterey,
that is until Les Jocelyn, bike shop owner, sold me a set for $3.
They are great for knocking out silica/ broken glass and thorns, and tiny cinders.
They save time and money, and pay for themselves with the first flat you didn't get.
If you only ride on clean highways and never flat, you don't need them.
#7
Senior Member
Good on ya, Scott! I saw them on the Compass site last week. I'll be mounting a set to my Jack Taylor tandem soon.
__________________
Bikes on Flickr
I prefer email to private messages. You can contact me at justinhughes@me.com
Bikes on Flickr
I prefer email to private messages. You can contact me at justinhughes@me.com
#8
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Can anyone think of a test to ascertain their effectiveness? I can't.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 16,748
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 132 Times
in
78 Posts
Thanks again, A.
Scott
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,156
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,690 Times
in
2,610 Posts
1) Sprinkle broken glass along a route.
2) Ride that route say 10 times (or a hundred times) on a bike without tire savers.
3) Count up the number of flats.
4) Ride same route the same number of times on the same bike with tire savers.
5) Count up the number of flats.
6) Compare results.
2) Ride that route say 10 times (or a hundred times) on a bike without tire savers.
3) Count up the number of flats.
4) Ride same route the same number of times on the same bike with tire savers.
5) Count up the number of flats.
6) Compare results.
#14
Senior Member
I'll bring the broken glass!
__________________
Bikes on Flickr
I prefer email to private messages. You can contact me at justinhughes@me.com
Bikes on Flickr
I prefer email to private messages. You can contact me at justinhughes@me.com
#15
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
1) Sprinkle broken glass along a route.
2) Ride that route say 10 times (or a hundred times) on a bike without tire savers.
3) Count up the number of flats.
4) Ride same route the same number of times on the same bike with tire savers.
5) Count up the number of flats.
6) Compare results.
2) Ride that route say 10 times (or a hundred times) on a bike without tire savers.
3) Count up the number of flats.
4) Ride same route the same number of times on the same bike with tire savers.
5) Count up the number of flats.
6) Compare results.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#17
No one cares
why would you want to foul up their perceived effectiveness with hard numbers? You're going to throw the marketing guys all off.
__________________
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
#19
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
Great news Scott, you have come up with a great product that is very well made. That is rare in this day and time. I wondered why someone didn't make and sell tyre savers anymore, I ran them on every bike Monica and I owned in the 70s and 80s. Glad you are getting recognition for your work.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 16,748
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 132 Times
in
78 Posts
Thanks Bill, Aaron, and all. I thought it was amusing that Jan was sort of non-commital in the review, stating he very rarely gets flat tires anyway. Makes me wonder why he tested them, but I'm sure grateful he did.
Again, anybody who needs some stainless steel "legs" , just let me know. Thanks.
Again, anybody who needs some stainless steel "legs" , just let me know. Thanks.
#21
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Is there a reason he coined a new word for them?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 16,748
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 132 Times
in
78 Posts
Yes. He mentions in the review he did that he prefers the more descriptive term "tire wipers". I tend to agree as these things don't really "save" anything, aside from a few flat tires perhaps. I labeled mine the somewhat goofy "Flat Stoppers", for lack of anything better.
Last edited by rootboy; 05-11-13 at 08:19 AM.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,704
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Living in goathead country and riding tubulars I am a believer in tire savers as I bought my first pair from the original inventor who had a shop "the bicycle shop" in Concord Ca in the 70's.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: York, PA
Posts: 551
Bikes: '72 Peugeot PX-10; '74 Raleigh International; '87 Specialized RockHopper; '88 Specialized StumpJumper; '02 Cannondale Scalpel
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times
in
5 Posts
https://loosescrews.com/Products/bicy...vers-pair.html
Rootboy has actually improved this age-old product with the circle loop near the mounting point.
Nobody has pointed this out, yet, but these tire devices are most important when running TUBULAR tires, which are thin skinned- thus more susceptible to punctures than most bike tires.
Rootboy has actually improved this age-old product with the circle loop near the mounting point.
Nobody has pointed this out, yet, but these tire devices are most important when running TUBULAR tires, which are thin skinned- thus more susceptible to punctures than most bike tires.