Balancing Beads

[Skid Mark]

Hi All,
I have started back at the bike and gathering some bits and pieces. I got wheels back a while ago and I am about to fit tyres. I don't want to put weights on the wheels for fear of damaging the clear coat. The lad who did the wheels suggested putting the weights on the inside of the rim ( at least that how I understood it) but I'm worried they would be flung off and rattle around inside the tyre. I'm thinking of using Balancing beads. Any comments??

[zed1015]

If they are spoke wheels then fit weights to the spokes or stick on ones to the rim (externally).
You need to balance with the tyres fitted so impossible to fit them on the inside which you would never do anyway.

[Skid Mark]

They're Mag wheels.
I realise the tyres must be fitted. I presumed I would have to balance and break bead to fit stick on weights into the groove between the rims, making sure not to rotate the tyre... that's why the beads are looking pretty attractive! I've only seen them used on larger tyres though.

[zapo]

Maybe he was talking about this https://www.dynabeads.co.uk

[kev edwards]

I can understand the beads, as when we used to turn large hollow cylinders we either put in long lengths of chainmail or long drive belts, these would dampen the vibrations out for high speed turning.

[needaz1100r]

If they are spoke wheels then fit weights to the spokes or stick on ones to the rim (externally).
You need to balance with the tyres fitted so impossible to fit them on the inside which you would never do anyway.

It is possible as I have done it.

As someone else said, you balance the wheel, sticking weights in the right place, I also stick the weights onto insulating tape so they come off easily with no residue.

Then, simply break the bead in the location of the weight and stick one inside. On a tubed tyre the tube will hold the weight in place. There is a theoretical risk of a weight stuck without a tube being thrown off, but we aren't talking F1 tyre speeds here and I've done a few and know of lots more done where that has not happened.

It does keep the wheel looking clean.

[needaz1100r]

They're Mag wheels.
I realise the tyres must be fitted. I presumed I would have to balance and break bead to fit stick on weights into the groove between the rims, making sure not to rotate the tyre... that's why the beads are looking pretty attractive! I've only seen them used on larger tyres though.

Correct about breaking the bead. As for rotating they tyre, remember you only need to break one bead, I challenge you to rotate the tyre with one bead still in place

[Skid Mark]

Correct about breaking the bead. As for rotating they tyre, remember you only need to break one bead, I challenge you to rotate the tyre with one bead still in place

Cheers again Mark, I would hate to ruin the wheels by sticking weights to them. I'm still not sure what to do. The weights are a bit of hassle compared to putting half a fist of beads in but I haven't heard of the beads being used on bike tyres. My brother ran a Garage for years and thinks I'm mad to use them on a bike, but can't say why. That's the main reason I asked here, otherwise it would be 'job done!'