Tyres

[Dave Ford]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but as you might expect, a search on “tyres” does result in rather a lot of results.

Is it worth buying tyres and fitting them yourself (oneself?). Are there reasonable savings to be had, or should I just hand over the wheels to the nearest tyre dealer and let them get on with it? Any tips for “supply only” suppliers would be appreciated.

 

[Timpo]

Bead breaking, balancing and demounting and mounting wheels correctly prevent most folk from taking the task on.
If youy think you can do it safely, then knock yourself out....

Timpo.

 

[Magnon]

If Busters megga price of £130 for pair of Conti Trail Attacks was still available then I would buy them and fit myself.

However Busters are out of stock and they could not confirm when or if they would repeat the offer so i've gone for dealer supply and fit to loose front wheel at cost of £81

 

[Dave Ford]

If Busters megga price of £130 for pair of Conti Trail Attacks was still available then I would buy them and fit myself.

However Busters are out of stock and they could not confirm when or if they would repeat the offer so i've gone for dealer supply and fit to loose front wheel at cost of £81

I ordered (online) a pair of the very same from Busters today - no suggestion that they might be out of stock. In the basis of the "saving" over havignsimilar tyres fitted by some sort of dealer, I've just ordered a wheel balancing "thingy". If I end up with said wheel balancer and no tyres I'm going to be mightily pissed off.

 

[RickG]

Sounds like you've not changed tyres yourself before or you wouldn't be asking the question - no criticism implied. It's easy enough once you've done it as few times but you do need the tools.

I fit mine but it's a pain, I'm just so tight I'd rather struggle for a bit and save a few quid.

The best compromise I think is to buy the tyres as cheaply as you can find on-line and then take them down your nearest friendly tyre shop with (just) the wheels and ask them to fit them. It shouldn't cost more than a tenner each (though probably double this darn sarf I expect). Overall you should be still saving real money compared to buying from a dealer for example

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

Tyre Fitting

Our local tyre dealer fitted, balanced on loose wheels and disposed of the old tyres for a tenner knowing full well the Contis were bought on line. They couldn't get anywhere near Busters price even for multipe pairs! (And I've got a spare pair!)

Duncan

 

[Dave Ford]

If Busters megga price of £130 for pair of Conti Trail Attacks was still available then I would buy them and fit myself.

However Busters are out of stock and they could not confirm when or if they would repeat the offer so i've gone for dealer supply and fit to loose front wheel at cost of £81

Just spoken to Busters - they "have plenty in stock"....

 

[WindyChuffer]

I get my tyres from LezCrowther @ Universal Tyre Co. (Deptford) Ltd on 01582-600788

e.g TKC80's - £155.95 / pair delivered. They do all tyre types.

 

[Beemerman59]

Since I have two bikes and tightfisted to boot I do my own tyres. Usually get them from Roundandblack off t'internet which is the on-lines sales for Universal Tyres. The money saved on 5 sets has now paid for all the equipment and each time I do it I'm getting quicker.

Its not for the faint hearted though - requires some effort and you need to be carefull to protect those expensive rims. Its very gratifying though when the wheels are back on having done it yourself, knowing its been done well and the bolts are torqued up to the right level.

In hindsight I could have learned a lot of the technique and "tricks of the trade" if I had watched someone do it first so if you can I would advise you watch an expert.