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Tire mounting service....what is everyone using these days?

DoctorBass

Don't ask me, I just ride
Joined
May 7, 2007
Location
Pleasanton
Moto(s)
Yamaha FZ-6
Name
Brandon
Hey there BARFers....where are people getting their tires mounted these days? I need to install a rear tire that I already purchased through J&P Cycles a while ago. Normally Cycle Gear, since they have the same parent company, will install the tire off bike for $30 (vs. the normal $60) as if you bought it from them locally, but my local CG told me that I had to have them mounted within 30 days of purchase to be eligible for this discount. Seems kinda shady as I cannot find the policy listed on either company's website, but nevertheless that made me wonder what my alternatives are. Years ago there was a guy on here named Angel that mounted tires out of a service station in SJ dirt cheap, but he is long gone. What are other people doing for this service nowadays? Does anyone have a reasonably priced place that will do it on bike as opposed to having to remove the wheel myself? I am looking in the East Bay specifically, but open to other localities of need be. Thanks!
 
.Not sure you are going to find it much cheaper anywhere these days. Mototireguy in the City, Santa Clara Cycles down south, off the bike. Call up Cycle Gear Customer service if not sure of their policy. Or, invest in some tools to do yourself. With the right technique, not impossible to do at home, I do.
 
Thanks for the reply and the suggestions! I would definitely consider the tool route if I had the space, but my living arrangement makes that very difficult as a renter. It is at this point less about the money and more knowing what the alternatives are at this point should I decide to go there. Thanks again!
 
My last set of tires I purchased from Santa Clara Cycle. With tire mounting included, they were cheaper than any online deal I could find at the time. The tires were mounted and wheels ready for pick-up the same day I dropped them off. I would recommend this route in the future.

Since you already have the tires, you might want to look into Moto Guild or The Garage of Silicon Valley that offer do-it-yourself access to an industrial tire changer. I was able to take a class that gave me access to their equipment and instruction on how to use it at a very reasonable cost. Alternatively, you don't need a lot of fancy tools to complete the job at home. To get you started, I would recommend these Motion Pro tire levers as they enable you to easily break the bead and then get the tire on/off the rim. I would also pick up some rim shields to prevent scratching your alloy rims. Lastly, you will need a compressor to reseat the bead. I have successfully gone down this route albeit with a little more time and effort needed. There are plenty of YouTube videos that offer instruction - this one with Ari Henning using the recommended tools can get you started.
 
My last set of tires I purchased from Santa Clara Cycle. With tire mounting included, they were cheaper than any online deal I could find at the time. The tires were mounted and wheels ready for pick-up the same day I dropped them off. I would recommend this route in the future.

Since you already have the tires, you might want to look into Moto Guild or The Garage of Silicon Valley that offer do-it-yourself access to an industrial tire changer. I was able to take a class that gave me access to their equipment and instruction on how to use it at a very reasonable cost. Alternatively, you don't need a lot of fancy tools to complete the job at home. To get you started, I would recommend these Motion Pro tire levers as they enable you to easily break the bead and then get the tire on/off the rim. I would also pick up some rim shields to prevent scratching your alloy rims. Lastly, you will need a compressor to reseat the bead. I have successfully gone down this route albeit with a little more time and effort needed. There are plenty of YouTube videos that offer instruction - this one with Ari Henning using the recommended tools can get you started.
Ari's video is a very good one. There are a couple of others out there on a really good technique for initially breaking the bead on street tires just using three irons, no other special tools. It's the process I use.

Usually the hardest part of the process to be honest, but not bad. Of course the kickstand method always works in a pinch too. :toothless The only time I've really sweated a street tire, was a very old and hard rear tire that had probably been sitting in the sun for a decade outside.

With the motion pro, or any proper long shop length tire iron, new ones go on relatively easy. But also understand those that don't have the space or time, like the OP to take on such projects.
 
A word of caution: while Ari's rim is wider than the disc mount and he can put the wheel down on the disc side, if your disc hits the ground first, do not put your weight on the wheel/disc. Most modern discs are 5mm, and will bend easily. You can use a milk crate, or a barrel, or some other means of protecting the disc.
 
Check with MotoWRX in Livermore. They offer free mounting of tires purchased from them, so I assume they can come up with some sort of reasonable price to mount your tire. I had committed to doing all of my tires there before I left California. With one tire purchase there I had them mount six tires. New shoes on everything, including the spare wheels.
 
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