Tire Warmers = get what you pay for?

kl3640 · 01-24-2007, 03:39 PM

I need to buy a set of tire warmers, but in the course of my research I've found that they vary greatly in price. For example, a set of MotoGP or Suzuka brand might go for around $200, where as the basic model ChickenHawks go for around $350 or so, give or take.

My question is this:

Is there really a difference between the less expensive brands versus ChickenHawks? I think that there are two considerations:

1) Auxillary Features: Meaning things such as construction technique (UV resistant Kevlar Weave), how well they fit, how easily they go on, are they sturdy, what type of display do they have (digital, 2 LED's, etc...), do they come with a carrying case (hard vs. soft) etc...

2) Primary Function: Meaning how do they operate. Do they get up to temperature quickly, what is their operating temperature specification, how closely do they stay to that specification, is that specification good (is it too hot, or not hot enough), how long will they stay at temperature, and so on.

I don't really need the fancy features like digital readouts, hard cases, etc... All I want is something that's sturdy, easy to put on and that fits well, comes with it's own storage of some kind, and that operates at the proper temperature (in other words, that maintains my tires as well as can be between sessions/races).

Can anyone tell me if there is a difference between a set of tires that was kept warm on a set of ChickenHawks vs. a set of MotoGP's or other cheaper warmers?

Can anyone tell me that even if the above question is answered "NO, there is no difference," whether the quality of the product in terms of how long it lasts, does it fit right and give total coverage, is it easy to use, etc..., is necessarily better for ChickenHawks vs. cheaper brands?

Lastly, is there any real reason to get the higher model ChickenHawks versus the basic model, other than the bells and whistles?

Thanks!

hybrid · 01-24-2007, 07:02 PM

I cant answer all your questions. For the most part Ive always considered tire warmers to be a crutch.

But nowadays you might as well use them as EVERYONE IS using them and its an advantage for the first lap.

The biggest thing you need to pay attention to is how hot they get.........can they self regulate to keep that temp and not burn themselves up.

You cannot have a set of tire warmers on the bike and let the weight of it touch the ground. You will fuck them up no matter what anyone tells you.

I prefer the thicker cloth ones.............that self regulate.

Now a word of advise...........if you use tire warmers..........you better be ready to keep them on.

When you heat up a tire on a warmer.......if you dont use that tire that time........you wasted a heat cycle. Race tires lose softness on heat cycles.

kl3640 · 01-24-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybrid

I cant answer all your questions. For the most part Ive always considered tire warmers to be a crutch.

But nowadays you might as well use them as EVERYONE IS using them and its an advantage for the first lap.

The biggest thing you need to pay attention to is how hot they get.........can they self regulate to keep that temp and not burn themselves up.

You cannot have a set of tire warmers on the bike and let the weight of it touch the ground. You will fuck them up no matter what anyone tells you.

I prefer the thicker cloth ones.............that self regulate.

Now a word of advise...........if you use tire warmers..........you better be ready to keep them on.

When you heat up a tire on a warmer.......if you dont use that tire that time........you wasted a heat cycle. Race tires lose softness on heat cycles.

Well, I'm not really sure where you stand on the issue of cheap vs. costly tire warmers - are you suggesting that a basic set is OK, so long as they're good enough not to burn up or tear?

Regarding your advice about not using the tire warmers unless I'm going to use the tires, I'm viewing it the opposite way: Since I'll be riding on the tires at the beginning of the day, they'll go up to temp anyway. If I don't use tire warmers, they'll cool down between long session intervals or between races. By using tire warmers between sessions or races, the tires stay at temperature and don't go through a cycle, if used properly, so I hope to save cycles that way.

BTW, WalMart rules...If only they'd carry tire warmers, I could probably get a set of CH ProLines for $300!

kl3640 · 01-24-2007, 08:33 PM

One more thing: As for the ChickenHawks, I'd probably get the Pro-Line as they offer precision temp control, which is important to be able to match temps to specific tires brands & models.

PartsPimp · 01-25-2007, 12:45 PM

I can't really help on the differences, but I can give a good recommendation for the CH's. We use them with the AMA superbike team, as do many others. They have performed very well. We currently use the ProLine series.

hybrid · 01-25-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kl3640

Well, I'm not really sure where you stand on the issue of cheap vs. costly tire warmers - are you suggesting that a basic set is OK, so long as they're good enough not to burn up or tear?

Regarding your advice about not using the tire warmers unless I'm going to use the tires, I'm viewing it the opposite way: Since I'll be riding on the tires at the beginning of the day, they'll go up to temp anyway. If I don't use tire warmers, they'll cool down between long session intervals or between races. By using tire warmers between sessions or races, the tires stay at temperature and don't go through a cycle, if used properly, so I hope to save cycles that way.

BTW, WalMart rules...If only they'd carry tire warmers, I could probably get a set of CH ProLines for $300!

I think you misread what I said...............if you use them.........make sure you are going to use the tires...........a heat cycle is a heat cycle is a heat cycle.

It would be a waste of time to have them on all day and not use them. In the same case it would be a waste to have the tires cycled and cooled for no reason as well.

Oh and if Walmart sold them................they wouldnt be CH prolines.........theyd be some knock off from china that sucked and CH would be out of business for not selling them at a loss.

kl3640 · 01-26-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybrid

I think you misread what I said...............if you use them.........make sure you are going to use the tires...........a heat cycle is a heat cycle is a heat cycle.

It would be a waste of time to have them on all day and not use them. In the same case it would be a waste to have the tires cycled and cooled for no reason as well.

Oh and if Walmart sold them................they wouldnt be CH prolines.........theyd be some knock off from china that sucked and CH would be out of business for not selling them at a loss.

Actually, Walmart would have gotten CH or Woodcraft to make a model just for Walmart that's identical to their existing product except for label and cost, which would be about 20% less, and we'd be able to get the same quality product for less, and at our local Walmart store, no less.

I think that I'm going to go with the CH's, because I hear that the Woodcrafts are a bit difficult to install because of the thickness of their insulation (which they bill as a feature, being that it's made of their proprietary insulation which, combined with the thickness, supposedly contributes to heat retention and even distribution).

Anyone have any experience with the Woodcrafts?