Cycle Gear: 0 for 2

[LongRanger]

I’m one of those who is happy to pay a shop to mount my tires, especially the tube-type tires on my old Honda. But the local Cycle Gear store really blew it. First, they pinched the tube in my rear tire, which burst within the first mile of my house. They were more than willing to replace the tube au gratis, which is fair, but I had to pay for the new tube. Once underway again, the front end had a terrible shake and shimmy. Thinking the rim was out of true, I paid a visit to Woody’s Wheel Works to have them inspect the wheel. Sure enough, the wheel was fine but the tire was mounted incorrectly (off center), causing the wobble. They took care of it for free. Why didn’t I go to Woody’s in the first place? Next time, I will.

[twowheeladdict]

They pinched the tube and made you buy another one ? 

[Motormike]

Woody's vs. Cycle Gear?  Experience vs. amateurs.

[azccj]

A couple years ago I had Cycle Gear change the rear tire on my 2019 Goldwing. I brought them the wheel with the old mounted tire, along with the new tire. I got back a badly gouged wheel. They finally paid up for the replacement but it took a few months. Never again. After that experience I bought a No-Mare tire changer.

[Enzo Toma]

I didn't even know Cycle Gear had a service department, have only gone in there in a pinch to buy cheap gear.
If it's any consolation I've had a similar experiences at dealerships. The latest was "Plano Kawasaki Suzuki Aprilia Moto Guzzi Vespa Genuine" in Plano, TX. They left the old weights on my front rim and just slapped on a few more to try to balance a newly mounted tire, it was very far off, enough to make the bike wobble above 45mph. I pulled the weights to start fresh and did a static balance to sort it out. Maybe one day I'll learn my lesson.

[guzziart]

I bought tires for my Wing from Cycle gear, took the wheels in and had CG mount them too.  For an extra $10/wheel I was sold a road hazard warranty.  Anyway, my experience was ok.  I would have preferred the original style clip on weights versus stick ons but otherwise i have had no problems.  I could have probably did the front wheel myself with my nomar, mojolever & marc parnes balancer but didn't feel like tackling the rear, boogering up the tire or hurting myself.

Art

Update: forgot to mention CG replaced the valve stems too.

[Tom H]

I had them do a few tires. Thought they did fine except for the stick on weights. The only real issue was that they didn't read a note I had wire tagged to the wheel. I wanted them to snug up or change my valve stem on a tubeless wheel. It was still a bit loose when I got it home.

Not all the stores do tires.

Tom

[not-fishing]

I buy tires for my Griso & V11 Lemans from a local independent Ducati shop who also services the California Highway Patrol.  I end up paying retail but he mounts and balances for free.  I like to support him where I'm able because he does first rate work.  (Pasta Performance in Rancho Cordova, Ca)

Valve adjustments, oil, spark plugs and most maintenance I do myself.  It's a Guzzi-thing.

[rocker59]

My local Cycle Gear does not have a modern 'no touch' tire machine.

So, I take my carry-in wheels/tires to the local Honda Shop where I know a couple guys.  They have a really nice tire machine that will not scratch up the rims. 

[nc43bsa]

So, I take my carry-in wheels/tires to the local Honda Shop where I know a couple guys.  They have a really nice tire machine that will not scratch up the rims.

You are fortunate, indeed.   

[Perazzimx14]

I'm in the DIY crowd. The money I saved changing my own tires has paid the initial equipment investment many times over. In fact it goes even further insavings doing it yourself.

1. I buy tires online 20 to 50% cheaper than the local shop sell them for and they are shipped to my doorstep.
2. I get the tires I want and not what the local shop has in stock and trying to sell me because they've been on the shelf for 4 years
3. I get to use up the whole tire. Lots of times you'll have a tire with 1 to 2K left on it but going on a trip that is more miles. If you rely on a shop to change the tire its not work swapping them for new going on the trip then when you get home swap them back. For me a investment of 20 minutes  I swap them back and can use the other 20% of the tire up.
4. I change tires when I want/need too and can do internal patches. No taking off work or spending a Saturday morning in the showroom of the shop while you tires are being changed. No booking out appointments weeks in advance or dropping off and picking up bikes or wheels.
5. I can scratch and gouge my own wheel as good as any tire jockey at the local shop. Why pay them for the luxury?
6. Most important, tire machine also make beer. I don't know how they do it but everytime I change tires for a buddy a day or so later there is a case of beer sitting outside the garage waiting for me when I get home.

[cowtownchemist]

I'm in the DIY crowd. The money I saved changing my own tires has paid the initial equipment investment many times over. In fact it goes even further insavings doing it yourself.

1. I buy tires online 20 to 50% cheaper than the local shop sell them for and they are shipped to my doorstep.
2. I get the tires I want and not what the local shop has in stock and trying to sell me because they've been on the shelf for 4 years
3. I get to use up the whole tire. Lots of times you'll have a tire with 1 to 2K left on it but going on a trip that is more miles. If you rely on a shop to change the tire its not work swapping them for new going on the trip then when you get home swap them back. For me a investment of 20 minutes  I swap them back and can use the other 20% of the tire up.
4. I change tires when I want/need too and can do internal patches. No taking off work or spending a Saturday morning in the showroom of the shop while you tires are being changed. No booking out appointments weeks in advance or dropping off and picking up bikes or wheels.
5. I can scratch and gouge my own wheel as good as any tire jockey at the local shop. Why pay them for the luxury?
6. Most important, tire machine also make beer. I don't know how they do it but everytime I change tires for a buddy a day or so later there is a case of beer sitting outside the garage waiting for me when I get home.

I also have a local independent shop which does quality work.  But these are all very true points, especially #1 which happened to me where they convinced me to buy the tires they had in stock.  I gave in because there wouldn't be a wait and they were cheaper than what I wanted.  But still, they changed my mind for me.

[SportsterDoc]

Circa 2013 I took a tire to Cycle Gear for mounting on my 2012 Triumph Bonneville.
At high speeds, it felt like a pogo stick!