For DIY tire changers, do you reuse your balancing weights?

Rossi86

Rossi86

Well-known member
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I've heard of people reusing the wheel balancing weights, what type of adhesive tape are you using to re-stick the weights?
 
I'm making an assumption here, so forgive me if I'm wrong: you're asking this question because you're new to changing your own tires, which is great, but you might stumble upon the same thing I did after not having balancing weights for a while.
I'll vouch that for street use, and others might vouch for very aggressive street riding (actually, a google search will provide plenty but that doesn't imply validity so I'm basing this off experience), that balancing rim weights are unnecessary. My rear is out ~95grams (uneven powdercoat job) and my front is out ~17grams. I'm pushing my comfort zone in the corners but as far as the occasional cruise at 170kph goes.... I'm yet to notice a difference in stability nor do I notice a resonance appear at any given rpm. I haven't taken any measurements (before vs. after) but after ~1400km it is imperceivable.... even on the smoothest roads in my area.

I will agree that in many applications (I like to tinker with electric motors) that a well balanced spinning mass is superior in stability, but for a given angular velocity there is a level of acceptable tolerance that allows for negligible consequences.

Although, if you would like a re-useable 'weight', may I recommend Dyna Beads (few youtube videos out there).
 
TrainingWheels said:
I'm making an assumption here, so forgive me if I'm wrong: you're asking this question because you're new to changing your own tires, which is great, but you might stumble upon the same thing I did after not having balancing weights for a while.
I'll vouch that for street use, and others might vouch for very aggressive street riding (actually, a google search will provide plenty but that doesn't imply validity so I'm basing this off experience), that balancing rim weights are unnecessary. My rear is out ~95grams (uneven powdercoat job) and my front is out ~17grams. I'm pushing my comfort zone in the corners but as far as the occasional cruise at 170kph goes.... I'm yet to notice a difference in stability nor do I notice a resonance appear at any given rpm. I haven't taken any measurements (before vs. after) but after ~1400km it is imperceivable.... even on the smoothest roads in my area.

I will agree that in many applications (I like to tinker with electric motors) that a well balanced spinning mass is superior in stability, but for a given angular velocity there is a level of acceptable tolerance that allows for negligible consequences.

Although, if you would like a re-useable 'weight', may I recommend Dyna Beads (few youtube videos out there).
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No, not new to changing my tires. I've gone without balancing my tires before for both street ant track, but I'd rather balance them. The reason I asked is because the amount weights I'll be pulling off my track bike and my street bike soon will probably be enough to rebalance the rims with the new tires so there's no point in buying new weight strips.
 
N3WMAN said:
I don't.

If you were going to I suppose you could just get some of that foam double sided tape. Then duct tape over them for safety.

For the $2 per strip they cost, I'll just use fresh ones.
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Where are you buying your weight strips from? I remember spending $40-50 from NAPA a few years ago for a small box of weight strips, can't remember the number of strips
 
Rossi86 said:
No, not new to changing my tires. I've gone without balancing my tires before for both street ant track, but I'd rather balance them. The reason I asked is because the amount weights I'll be pulling off my track bike and my street bike soon will probably be enough to rebalance the rims with the new tires so there's no point in buying new weight strips.
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+1 for being that one bit more environmentally friendly

Perhaps you could look into getting a strip of the '3M VHB' adhesive used on gopro mounts. Best part is that people have sucess re-using them in the future (apply lots of heat to remove) so you can get 2+ uses out of them
 
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That VHB adhesive is also what is used on the new rivet-free trailer panels on the enclosed trailers people now buy.
 
Come to think about it, I'll just reuse mines.

I think I'll use so double sided tape from the dollar store & put some duct tape over it
 
RockerGuy said:
Come to think about it, I'll just reuse mines.

I think I'll use so double sided tape from the dollar store & put some duct tape over it
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I'm not sure if the weights will stay on for a long time, I've had them fly off even with their own tape that was supposed to be sticky enough.
 
No they are cheap just buy new
 
I dont want to be the guy riding at speed behind the guy with recycled wheel weights. They must come off like bullets.
 
Rossi86 said:
I'm not sure if the weights will stay on for a long time, I've had them fly off even with their own tape that was supposed to be sticky enough.
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Thats the point. Dont reuse your wheel weights. They are so cheap that it isnt even about being environmentally friendly, its about safety. For 5 dollars, why would you compromise your and other peoples safety?

If the environment is your concern, melt them down and use them for something else, or just recycle them properly.
 
Now I'm really tempted to re-use my weights now.

I'll prove you guys wrong at my next tire change
 
bobjohnson said:
Thats the point. Dont reuse your wheel weights. They are so cheap that it isnt even about being environmentally friendly, its about safety. For 5 dollars, why would you compromise your and other peoples safety?

If the environment is your concern, melt them down and use them for something else, or just recycle them properly.
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That's why I asked about the tape
 
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