Why don’t we use flint catchers anymore?

ju5t1n

All my dad’s bikes had these things fitted but you don’t see them these days. Were the proved not to work or something? Anyone know?

goonz

Not sure how that catches flints, but I assume its because we are now a society of weight weenies, and that must weigh what say 50g?!!!!!!

tiny_pens

I suspect that kevlar belts in the tyres made them redundant. I imagine before the pros had a team car with a load of spare wheels on the top they were more useful. Might have been useful on that mountain stage last year in TDF with the carpet tacks though.

simonhead

I had a second hand bike as a kid that had these, fine in the dry but in the wet they were a nightmare.

buckmulligan

goonz wrote:

Not sure how that catches flints, but I assume its because we are now a society of weight weenies, and that must weigh what say 50g?!!!!!!

They are fitted like this:



But I agree, how the hell is that supposed to stop you getting punctures? How are they any worse in the wet than the dry?

ugo.santalucia

BuckMulligan wrote:

goonz wrote:

Not sure how that catches flints, but I assume its because we are now a society of weight weenies, and that must weigh what say 50g?!!!!!!

They are fitted like this:



But I agree, how the hell is that supposed to stop you getting punctures? How are they any worse in the wet than the dry?

Nice glueing job on the Conti...

simonhead

I remeber they kicked up loads of spray over your back and if you had it on the front as well often in your face. i think they worked by knocking out anything that was only partially embedded in the wheel before the next revolution but it was hit and miss at best.

freddiegrubb

I remember these, (1960s) the theory was that thorns/ flints etc. didn't enter the tyre in the first rev. they were merely picked up & then embedded in the tyre. The catcher did the catching before this happened, don't know if it worked but a nice theory.

AchillesLeftKnee

Never used one, or even knew they existed prior to seeing this thread, but they look like a historical Must Have Gadget to me; a sort of carbon aero pedals from the 50s.

Mikey23

Rather like my device for getting stones out of horses hooves ...