Hey,

So I went canyon riding a week ago and when I got home I noticed there was a screw that had punctured just off the center line of my rear tire.  So for the past week I've been checking tire pressure and it's steady - looks like no air leakage.  I searched the forums and there are conflicting views on what to do... should I replace the tire, get the tire patched, or just leave it in?  All that's visible is the screw head, so I have no idea how long it is.

Thanks.
-Sanjay

Do not just leave it in - you will never know when it will remove itself or tear a bigger hole - I for one do not want a sudden loss of tire pressure at highway speed - or even at 20 mph leaned over.  

That means you need to remove it.  This may result in your sitting there with a flat - so be prepared to remove the wheel and transport it to a tire shop if needed.

If it is just in the tread - you may be fine just ignoring it - but I would want a pro to take a look

If it is through to the inside, it may or may not be repairable - opinions differ on wether this is a good idea or not.  If you can afford it, (even if a pro says it is repairable with a proper plug/patch from the inside) then I would seriously consider replacing the tire.  If it is an older tire or a stock rim protector it would be my excuse to do so.  If I did not have the money I would repair and ride gently until I could replace.

You only have two contact patches.  Keep them secure.

I rode around with a screw in my tire for 2 weeks....finally got it patched last week.  Trust me on this...first chance you get plug it or patch it.  Although in those 2 weeks i rode with no problem and thought i was not losing significant tire pressure......i was.  The difference is like night and day.  And the peace of mind....priceless.  Keep in mind...though the tire may not be losing pressure...that little screw is constantly being pressed into your tire.  Only a matter of time before it becomes a problem.  Don't let it become a problem while your doing 70 on the interstate.      

It's your life, plugging and patching are temporary fixes. Replace the tire.

I'm of the color that would remove the screw, and if the screw didn't deform the rubber, so that there is a gapping hole exposing the threads; I'd ride it out as long as it holds air. If it leaks fix it.

And, yes, I'm a cheap bastard.

I think I'm going to replace it, as I discovered it IS leaking very slowly, and I'm probably going to put in a stock size BT45 or a ME550 (like the one on now).  Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I'll pull it and put a tube in the tire... yea yea they say dont put a tube in a low profile tire... but I have and its fine. Or replace it...
Cool.
Srinath.

Thanks for the offer, Srinath.  But I'm just going to get it replaced as the tread will be worn down within another few months anyway.

hell, send it to me, ill run it no problem, i had one with big gash in it, brand new, double patched it then stuck a tube in it, ran it down to the cords. perelli dragon, tire stuck nicely but damn soft.