Changed my first tire last night
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,414
From: Missouri
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i dont bother with balancing, never had an issue as long as the balanace dot is lined up with the valve stem.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,656
From: Delaware, Ohio
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Tire changing is a funny thing. It's probably about 75% technique over tools in getting the job done. Don't get me wrong...the better the tire irons and aids, the easier the job. Still it's amazing to see a knowledgeable guy with a couple of those dinky tire levers in a cheap OEM tool kit actually get the job done. Unless you don't learn from your mistakes, it really does get easier the more you do it. Watching a good video of a knowledgeable guy performing a tire removal/install is a good place to start. Yeah, they make it look too easy, but watch carefully and listen to their directions.
When all else fails, huge tire spoons made for changing car and truck tires can help the uninformed or limp wristed...but...they can actually damage the tire bead and/or rim if used improperly. I love the big tire spoons for use at home in the shop. When you're careful you can install the stiffest multi-ply tires without getting a hernia or losing a finger.
When all else fails, huge tire spoons made for changing car and truck tires can help the uninformed or limp wristed...but...they can actually damage the tire bead and/or rim if used improperly. I love the big tire spoons for use at home in the shop. When you're careful you can install the stiffest multi-ply tires without getting a hernia or losing a finger.
I "limp wrist" it myself - bigass tire irons!
But I'm careful with them. You can ruin a bead with those things. One advantage to TNC's "real man" tire irons - you hurt yourself before you damage a tire... actually usually before you get the job done... the reason why I use bigass tire irons.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,422
From: Las Vegas, NV
That is a good idea! I couldn't find the dot on my avons so I payed cycle gear to do it....What does said dot look like? Colored? just a small protrusion?
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,414
From: Missouri
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ill try and get a picture of one later.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 14
From: n.w. illinios
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having changed tires at a shop for many years; always balance your tires, while you may never have had an issue it does not mean that it wont happen and that high speed wobble that you can't cure might just be the tires, you can pick up a static balancer from harbor freight for around 25$ if you catch it on a good sale, cheap insurance. also make sure you are familiar with where the manufactuter places the balancing dot on the tire. I know that most companys place the dot on the lightest part of the tire which would coincide with the valve stem when mounted, but some of the smaller companys will also place it at the heaviest point, which would be oppositional to the valve. lastly some tires would not balance-out no matter where the dot is, it takes longer but in these cases it is best to re-break the bead, rotate the tire on the rim, reseat and try again, repeat as necessary, I have seen some tires dealer mounted that have 1/2lb of weights mounted on all points in an attempt to balance, not smart, not safe.
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 443
From: SF Bay Area
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