DailyCommuter
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
So I had said in another thread a while back that I would be willing to try these out. So to follow up,...
I had the tires mounted and had them balanced in the conventional way a couple weeks ago. (lead weights). I wanted to get some miles on them with regular weights on them before I switched to the beads, because how else would I know if the beads were better same or worse.
So the beads arrived in the mail the other day, and I wasn't sure I wanted to get into it after working 16 hours and starting the job at 1 AM, but what the hell? Sleep is for pussies anyway!
I took off the stick on lead weights and poured the beads in. About 1.2 ounces in the front and 2 ounces in the rear. (they come pre-measured in the tube).
At this point I had about 12 hundred miles on these tires since they were mounted.
With the lead weights they were smooth, I was very happy to have the new tires on, I ride in the rain a little more than I like to, but gas is so $$$$
lately. I had about 12,500 miles on the original tires. So all these spring showers were really making my butt pucker!
Now I know there will be non believers and neigh-sayers out there but the beads ARE BETTER! There is certainly less buzz at highway speeds(most of my riding is highway to and from work) so I know I am not imagining it.
There are two things to point out about my findings, the skill and equipment involved in balancing the tires with the lead weights is definitely a factor in the end result. Meaning that someone could have balanced them better than they were perhaps; with the lead ones., I noticed that he had used 2 1 ounce weights in one spot on the front and a 3/4 ounce weight on another spot on it. That alone makes me think he could have done better. (the original tires had only a single weight on each of them.)
The second thing to point out is the fact that these beads will keep the tires balanced properly for their entire life. If you are into changing your own tires, or want to be, the beads allow you to accomplish the job without worrying about buying balancing equipment on top of the changing equipment cost. Also the Dynabeads people claim that because the tires stay balanced for their whole life that will extend their life. That remains to be seen.
I know I won't be competing with Jeff Ashe when it comes to eating up tires, but I do ride consistantly over 800 miles a week, and I will add to this thread with mileage updates, wear patterns, and whether that smoothness holds out for mile after mile.
I would love it if for the sake of science some-one else with the same tires would like to chime in on their experience with the tires assuming they are using lead weights.
I know for right now I am sold on using beads, now if I could just convince the wife! , .....thought I would save bustanut joker the trouble on that one, but I doubt it will matter!
I'll keep you all posted... On the tires, not the wife; that's nunya business!
I had the tires mounted and had them balanced in the conventional way a couple weeks ago. (lead weights). I wanted to get some miles on them with regular weights on them before I switched to the beads, because how else would I know if the beads were better same or worse.
So the beads arrived in the mail the other day, and I wasn't sure I wanted to get into it after working 16 hours and starting the job at 1 AM, but what the hell? Sleep is for pussies anyway!
I took off the stick on lead weights and poured the beads in. About 1.2 ounces in the front and 2 ounces in the rear. (they come pre-measured in the tube).
At this point I had about 12 hundred miles on these tires since they were mounted.
With the lead weights they were smooth, I was very happy to have the new tires on, I ride in the rain a little more than I like to, but gas is so $$$$
lately. I had about 12,500 miles on the original tires. So all these spring showers were really making my butt pucker!Now I know there will be non believers and neigh-sayers out there but the beads ARE BETTER! There is certainly less buzz at highway speeds(most of my riding is highway to and from work) so I know I am not imagining it.
There are two things to point out about my findings, the skill and equipment involved in balancing the tires with the lead weights is definitely a factor in the end result. Meaning that someone could have balanced them better than they were perhaps; with the lead ones., I noticed that he had used 2 1 ounce weights in one spot on the front and a 3/4 ounce weight on another spot on it. That alone makes me think he could have done better. (the original tires had only a single weight on each of them.)
The second thing to point out is the fact that these beads will keep the tires balanced properly for their entire life. If you are into changing your own tires, or want to be, the beads allow you to accomplish the job without worrying about buying balancing equipment on top of the changing equipment cost. Also the Dynabeads people claim that because the tires stay balanced for their whole life that will extend their life. That remains to be seen.
I know I won't be competing with Jeff Ashe when it comes to eating up tires, but I do ride consistantly over 800 miles a week, and I will add to this thread with mileage updates, wear patterns, and whether that smoothness holds out for mile after mile.
I would love it if for the sake of science some-one else with the same tires would like to chime in on their experience with the tires assuming they are using lead weights.
I know for right now I am sold on using beads, now if I could just convince the wife!
, .....thought I would save bustanut joker the trouble on that one, but I doubt it will matter!I'll keep you all posted... On the tires, not the wife; that's nunya business!
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