Mountain bike tires - completely true?
06-05-12, 11:29 AM
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Mountain bike tires - completely true?
I have been really enjoying my new Trek Navigator! I have a general question about mountain bike/cruzer bike tires...
From day one I have noticed that both of my tires have never spun true. By that I mean they both seem to wobble ever so slightly. Is this normal for a thicker tire? I used to own a road bike and I never had this problem. If I took this issue into a bike shop would I get laughed at for being so critical?
From day one I have noticed that both of my tires have never spun true. By that I mean they both seem to wobble ever so slightly. Is this normal for a thicker tire? I used to own a road bike and I never had this problem. If I took this issue into a bike shop would I get laughed at for being so critical?
06-05-12, 11:32 AM
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Can you tell if it's the rims or the tires that are untrue? It's not uncommon for tires to be a little imperfect, but I'd check the mounting. The important thing is: Can you feel the wobble? Is it making the bike unstable?
06-05-12, 11:35 AM
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It's definitely not the rims. I have remounted both tires and I can't get them to completely spin true. I mounted the wheels without the tires and the rims spin perfectly. I can't feel it when I ride and I do feel completely stable, but when I look down I notice the problem.
06-05-12, 11:57 AM
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Between imperfections in the tire and slight eccentricity in the mounting there will inevitably be a slight runout of the tire even with a perfectly true wheel. If you cannot feel anything and you feel stable I would advise you to look ahead and not down at the tire; you will be both safer and happier.
06-05-12, 12:11 PM
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The tyres in this market segment aren't likely to be made to the standard that's more typical in road tyres.
Some pricier commuter tyres would likely be an improvement.
Some pricier commuter tyres would likely be an improvement.
06-05-12, 12:46 PM
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06-05-12, 01:00 PM
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06-05-12, 01:52 PM
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Very normal for mountain-bike tires to be asymmetrical. It's mildly annoying, but common.
One thing to check for though, is that your bead has seated all the way around. There should be a line on the tire that rests just above your rim. Check that it is more or less equidistant from the rim all the way around. I've sometimes had tires not seat all the way around, and that leads to some apparent wobble when you spin the wheel. In fact, I routinely pump my mountain bike tires up to 60-80 psi, and then back the pressure down to where I want it, because the higher pressures force the bead to seat. I often can hear the bead snapping into place around 60psi, give or take.
One thing to check for though, is that your bead has seated all the way around. There should be a line on the tire that rests just above your rim. Check that it is more or less equidistant from the rim all the way around. I've sometimes had tires not seat all the way around, and that leads to some apparent wobble when you spin the wheel. In fact, I routinely pump my mountain bike tires up to 60-80 psi, and then back the pressure down to where I want it, because the higher pressures force the bead to seat. I often can hear the bead snapping into place around 60psi, give or take.
06-05-12, 07:50 PM
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Very normal for mountain-bike tires to be asymmetrical. It's mildly annoying, but common.
One thing to check for though, is that your bead has seated all the way around. There should be a line on the tire that rests just above your rim. Check that it is more or less equidistant from the rim all the way around. I've sometimes had tires not seat all the way around, and that leads to some apparent wobble when you spin the wheel. In fact, I routinely pump my mountain bike tires up to 60-80 psi, and then back the pressure down to where I want it, because the higher pressures force the bead to seat. I often can hear the bead snapping into place around 60psi, give or take.
One thing to check for though, is that your bead has seated all the way around. There should be a line on the tire that rests just above your rim. Check that it is more or less equidistant from the rim all the way around. I've sometimes had tires not seat all the way around, and that leads to some apparent wobble when you spin the wheel. In fact, I routinely pump my mountain bike tires up to 60-80 psi, and then back the pressure down to where I want it, because the higher pressures force the bead to seat. I often can hear the bead snapping into place around 60psi, give or take.
https://www.bicycletool.com/tireseater.aspx
most amazing tool ever when it comes to un-wobbling a tire
06-06-12, 12:44 AM
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Works a treat; it's worth the hassle if your tyres often fail to seat properly. Relatively rare with road tyres, but I've had to do it with those a few times.
06-06-12, 12:58 AM
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see someone about your OCD, It's just a reasonably adequate bike,
not a Swiss Watch,
or a Formula 1 race car.
not a Swiss Watch,
or a Formula 1 race car.
06-06-12, 12:59 AM
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Anyone with OCD would likely prefer a cheap quartz watch over a fancy mechanical Swiss one... 
...Me, I want an Accutron.
...Me, I want an Accutron.
06-06-12, 04:35 AM
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I do the same thing. Then I still over-inflate. Then I double-check that indicator ring. At least I've not yet ever needed to bother with soap.
06-06-12, 05:15 AM
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I see the same thing. No matter how much I tweak the hubs/mounts/wheels I can never get my mtb tires to run totally true. It doesn't affect how it rides and the wheels are perfect so I just ignore the few mm difference.
06-06-12, 08:31 AM
#16
Squeaky Wheel
The advice on making sure the bead is set is spot-on. Some MTB bike tires won't completely set until you pump them to 60-80 psi. I spray a little soapy water around the bead when I mount the tire and then pump them up to 80 psi. You'll hear the bead pop when it sets.
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