Balancing a RIM..

[jackd]

I installed a Smartire sensor in my front tire a few weeks ago and was shocked how much weight it took to balance the tire (almost 2.5oz..) .. so I have this big string of weights... :(

I am getting ready to change the rear tire in the next week and I would like to balance the RIM before I mount the tire... So my questions..


What type of weights do use inside... same ones/type as outside...?
Do I have to be concerned with them spinning off?
Where should they be mounted/stuck inside?

[meese]

You have several options. The easiest is to balance the rim, but just mark the heavy spot and don't add weights yet. Then put the dot on the tire at the heavy spot, rather then the valve stem. Then balance as normal. That should minimize the weights needed.

Another option is to balance the rim itself using weights, then mount the tire and balance again. That seems like double work (and maybe double weights), plus I wouldn't trust the normal stick-on weights on the inside of the rim. They won't work well as centrifigul force tries to tear them loose. You could put weights under the large SmarTire hose clamp. In fact, the metal valve stem bridge is supposed to balance the extra weight of the SmarTire sensor, as well as allow for air flow around the hose clamp. But again I'd just mark the actual heavy spot then mount and balance as normal.

Other than that, I'm sure you'll appreciate having instant access to pressure and temperature from both wheels any time the bike is moving. I think all bikes (and possibly cars) should have this feature.

[jzeiler]

What type of weights do use inside... same ones/type as outside...?

Do I have to be concerned with them spinning off?


Don't put the weights on the INSIDE - yes they will fly off. Or you will dislodge them mounting the tire.

[DanMartin]

I balanced my front rim a few weeks ago by putting the weights
under the SmarTire clamp. Then balanced the whole assembly as
usual with a lot less weight outside. Seems to work just fine.

Dan Martin
houston, Tx

[JPSpen]

First thing you will need to do is ascertain the balance of the rim. Bare.
Find the heavy spot and then install the smartire sensor opposite of that..
Then find the heavy spot again and put the dot on the tire there...

This should give you the best chance for a "low weight" balance..

HTH

John..

[jackd]

The easiest is to balance the rim, but just mark the heavy spot and don't add weights yet. Then put the dot on the tire at the heavy spot, rather then the valve stem. Then balance as normal. That should minimize the weights needed.

This seems like the easiest option.

I wouldn't trust the normal stick-on weights on the inside of the rim. They won't work well as centrifigul force tries to tear them loose.

That is my concern with inside weights. Last thing I want is loose weights tearing up my tire or transmitter. A large pot hole could give the weight enough lateral force to free a weight. The weight does come off easily.. the goop is the only thing that remains.. and is a bear to get off without solvant.

I'd just mark the actual heavy spot then mount and balance as normal.

Actualy this appears to be the simplist solution. Probably that is why I didn't consider it as an option. Sometimes you just can't over think something..:D

[jackd]

I balanced my front rim a few weeks ago by putting the weights under the SmarTire clamp. Then balanced the whole assembly as
usual with a lot less weight outside.

I considered that as something that would solve the immediate problem of the weights spinning off. However, I think that the weights not be made of a hard material could flatten over time and allow the clamp to spin. The bridge slipping to the stem should limit that somewhat... ;)

[jackd]

First thing you will need to do is ascertain the balance of the rim. Bare.
Find the heavy spot and then install the smartire sensor opposite of that..
Then find the heavy spot again and put the dot on the tire there...

This should give you the best chance for a "low weight" balance..

HTH

John..

This seems more complex but I believe that you are right this should give me the lowest add on outside weight... This is the logical extension to the original suggestion made by Ken..

I assume Smartire's transmitter placement is probably done to give the installer a known location where the majority of tire machines will not have the machine rip off the transmitter.

The guy that did the front looked at the directions I printed for him and then used his own way to install. :eek: He said he used a procedure similar to installing a tire on a dirt bike with a bead lock. I'm not familiar with that device. When I rode dirt the bikes were not that powerful (or the ones I rode) that I should be concerned with spinning or breaking the the bead..

Now I'll just need to convince the tire installer that this is the way to go... but this should only be a one time thing.. Once I get the sensor installed and the heavy spot marked it will be business as usual.. Worse case is... I will give him a couple of $$ for a 'coffee..' :D

I would have liked to see this in the install instructions but the marketing people would pretty much squelch any complex install procedure as 'detrimental to potential sales'... :)