Tire Balance

[Money Venture]

I have read many of the tire balance threads on here. I have a symptom with my front tire that seems like hopping at lower speeds when taking off. The bead appears seated all the way around. Tire has held air fine. I noticed it last night after riding one up. Riding at 45-60mph, not much feedback. I static balanced the tire when I installed it. Didn't have this problem with the old worn out tire. Tire balance issue? I would have thought balance issues would start around 45. I run 40psi in tire. Thanks for your ideas.

[Peder_y2k]

Rotate the tire with your hand lightly rubbing the tire and feel for any indication of a 'raised' section that may indicate tread separation. Also look for any misalignment or irregularities in the tread.

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

[Money Venture]

I didn't feel anything odd when rotating the tire. The tire turns true. It has about 100 miles on it. Tire balance? Warped rotor? Hanging caliper? Wheel bearing?

[MiCarl]

I had a similar problem (but rear) on a new tire I installed for a customer. He could feel the bike going up and down at low speed. It turned out the tire had a flat spot about the size of my hand that was about 2mm out of round.

 

For awhile we looked closely at all the tires we did. 2mm out of round was not unusual. Generally though the out of round condition was gradual over the circumference of tire - like it wasn't quite centered or a bit elliptical. The one that could actually be felt was almost perfect except the 2mm came and went in only about 6".

[djh3]

Jack it up so the front tire will rotate. Then set something so it almost touches the tire and you can use that as a reference point. Maybe a socket, then spin the tire and see if its out of round. Then look at tire as its spinning and see if the sidewall if back and forth.

[Money Venture]

Yes, I had put the bike on the center stand and weighted the back to hold the tire off the ground. I spun the tire with a reference point to check for the tread moving out of round. Checked for the bead not seated on the rim. It spins perfectly straight. Thanks.

[djh3]

I am guessing you watched like the center of the tread for movement left to right. I dont think I have ever seen a bike tire do that, but car tires we use to have a problem with that when belts separated. But that normally causes a "squirm" feeling. sounding like you may have to pop bead and turn like a 1/4 turn on rim.

[Illinois]

Maybe break out some Dyna Beads or Ride On just to see what happens.

Edited June 23, 2014 by Illinois

[SpencerPJ]

I had a similar issue, I dropped my front tire pressure down to 32, rode for a 100 miles, back up to 38 and all is good. I find 40 a bit too high.

[Money Venture]

I'll try that Spencer.

[dacheedah]

I would second on the beads, my experience is handling is better near the max psi