Here's a warning to all bike shop mechanics (and anybody who mends punctures): when checking for the cause of a puncture use something other than your finger!

(Don’t) get straight to the point

Tim Johnson of Sideways Cycles in Cheshire has emailed us with a warning about the potential dangers of ‘feeling’ for the cause of a puncture. You always do this gingerly, of course, a shard of glass or a thorn is always going to hurt when found in a hurry but even the slightest of pricks could be lethal if the point you find is from a hypodermic needle discarded by a druggie.

Tim takes up the tale:

"All mechanics and shop owners should be alerted to the possibility, when checking tyres for the cause of a puncture, that the offender may not be the humble Hawthorn or even a nasty piece of sharp glass. A customer recently told me the tale of a colleague of his who drew his hand onto the pointy end of a used hypodermic needle and came away with a nasty infection to boot! Think of a different way to find the hole poker, without using your fingers – and

charge more for puncture repairs!"

TimJohnson5@compuserve.com

In other news...

Giro Montaro Mips III

Giro launches the new Montaro Mips III helmet

Giro has announced the launch of its new Montaro Mips III helmet. Now in its …