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...
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