Change back tire

[midnightlife85]

Hey guys I got a pretty big nail on my back tire, and have been holding it togather with plugs, but the tire still allows air to escape. I have to fill it up with air every couple of hours. So I ordered a new tire, and it is on its way.

What I want to know is

How much does it cost for the mechanics to put that tire on for me?
(The one I asked, wanted $80 to do it. That sound right?) A little expensive?

Is this something that could be done at home or not?

Thanks

[FizzerMeTimbers]

well your going to have to get it balanced. I'm going to try these things called dynabeads

With the installation, my neighbor is helping me out because i have no clue what i'm doing and he does his own tires. All the shops around me will only install tires that you buy from them, so your best bet might be to ask a friend/neighbor

[RayOSV]

$80 sounds high even if they take the wheel off the bike. They'll charge more for that and because you didn't buy the tire from them. If you can get the wheel off (and back on), you can probably find a shop to mount and balance the tire for about $35.

This is one reason why it pays to figure out the total cost for tires. The local Cycle Gear shops charge $12.50 (plus disposal etc. it comes to $17) to mount and balance a tire you buy from them if you bring your wheel in. Did you pay $60 less for your tire than at a local shop (not a bike dealer)?

[stealthy1]

You can get some tire changing equipment and do it yourself. I got in for about $300bux including a nice balancer. I've changed around 8-9 tires already since early summer. I'm changing at least 6 more before winter. So, very conservatively, 12 tires multiplied by for example $40 charged by a shop is close enough to $500. They are not ALL my tires, but I'm fine with helping out buddies who don't want to get jacked by the stealerships.
My point is; do it yourself. Save money and put it towards more tires or something. I got the cheapo harborfreight changer with cycle attachment, nomar bar, nomar balancer, univeral cones, extra wheel weights.
Something to think about.

[auh]

those dynabeads sound interested. I'm curious to see how they work on a bike

[Jim Moore]

You can change a tire with three tire irons, a four-foot piece of 2 X 6, and a cut-up milk jug. Total cost about $20.

I have read elsewhere that the dynabeads may not be as effective as their advertising leads you to believe. That being said, I don't balance my tires anyway. Line up the valve stem with the dot, and off you go.

[Veefer97]

I make and sell ballancers for $50. They detect the plastic valve cap.

[User Name]

You sound like me. Changing a tire is child's play if you know what you're doing, even with the most basic of tools. And I know it's a debated topic, but I've balanced some tires and not others. I've never noticed a difference, front or rear.

Originally Posted by Jim Moore

You can change a tire with three tire irons, a four-foot piece of 2 X 6, and a cut-up milk jug. Total cost about $20.

I have read elsewhere that the dynabeads may not be as effective as their advertising leads you to believe. That being said, I don't balance my tires anyway. Line up the valve stem with the dot, and off you go.

[Napalm]

I'd hit up cycle gear. I think it cost me $40 last time.

I changed the tires on my old GS500 with tire irons once and swore that I would never do it again. It took weeks for all the blisters to heal!!

[ZxHunteR]

I think cycle gear charges $20 with the wheel off the bike if you are buying the new tire from them. And $40 if you bought the new tires somewhere else.

$20 is a good deal.

[serpentracer]

Originally Posted by FizzerMeTimbers

well your going to have to get it balanced. I'm going to try these things called dynabeads

With the installation, my neighbor is helping me out because i have no clue what i'm doing and he does his own tires. All the shops around me will only install tires that you buy from them, so your best bet might be to ask a friend/neighbor

I reasearch on the net about those a few months ago. most agree they don't really work. .

[Veefer97]

Nothing but air in my tires.