How a teenage mountain biker patented his tire plug stash tool

Sam Garrett is a teenage mountain biker and inventor living in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was recently awarded a design patent for a tubeless tire plug tool that fits inside a standard mountain bike thru axle.How did you get into mountain biking?When did you start wrenching on your own bike?Why did you decide to create your own tubeless tire plug tool? What did you think you could improve about existing tire plug tools?Walk us through the process from idea to finished product. What were the biggest challenges along the way?Why did you decide to call it Every Rider's Must (ERM)?What have you learned about patents? Why go for a design patent instead of a utility patent?What did you think when you saw the Robert Axle Project tire plug tool that also fits inside a front axle? What makes the ERM different?Do you have any tips or tricks for making fast and effective puncture repairs on the trail?As a young rider, what's your outlook on the sport of mountain biking? Which aspects of mountain biking get you and your friends stoked?What's next for Garrett Dynamics? Are you looking at creating new products?Learn more about the ERM at garrettdynamics.com.An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today.This episode is sponsored by Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.If you’re looking for your next mountain bike destination that offers just about everything, put Sandpoint, Idaho at the top of your list! The Lower Basin trail system serves up world-class riding through towering timber and across massive granite rock slabs, with trails for every rider — from technical black diamond descents to fast, flowy cross-country loops.For excellent park-style riding, head up to Schweitzer Mountain Resort with dedicated downhill trails and e-bike access to more than two dozen trails. Or pedal from town to the Pine Street Woods trail system where the trails range from flowy to technical.When you’re ready to take a break from the trails, Lake Pend Oreille is right there for camping, boating, swimming, or even standup paddleboarding. And after a big day outdoors, head into the town of Sandpoint where you'll find a great selection of bars and restaurants to relax and refuel. Get all the details to plan your perfect getaway at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠visitsandpoint.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The trails and the good times are waiting for you when you Visit Idaho!