You don't have to balance any tire,.. but it's best to balance them...
The heavier, and longer lasting the tire, the more you'll gain from balancing...
I've been told by a very experienced bike mechanic, that (oddly enough), cheap Chinese tires tend to need little or no weights to balance... maybe because they are lighter, ...and because they wear faster anyway...
I chose the Shinko's because they are cheap, grippy, and known to be light,(less unsprung weight)... and I'm only riding about 3k per year, lately... (don't want a tire to last more than 3 years or so,... so that it doesn't dry out)...
If you are a heavy/high mile rider,... I think Metzlers are worth the cash, and will probably save money in the long run...
Long lasting tires give up a little grip for longevity,.. (harder rubber compound),... and if they suffer damage, you have more investment to lose..
Plus,.. if they stay on the bike for more than 3 or 4 years, they will dry out, lose grip, and crack...
... but some riders would have to change tires every 6 months with cheapy tires...
So, there ain't no bad tires,... you just buy the tire for how you ride...
JMO,.. 2 cents worth...
...
Very well put...everyone rides differently and their tire needs must be adjusted accordingly.
I put the Shinko 712s on both the front and rear of mine just over two years ago. I am extremely happy with them over the dry-rotted stock tires that were on mine when I got it. I've only put on about 3k miles over that two years and you wouldn't know they weren't new other than the nipples are worn off
Looking forward to hearing what you think of them since you will put more miles on in the next 6 months in AZ versus the next year for me in ID. (Supposed to snow 5 out of the next 7 days here)
Pages: 
