I'm looking at adding some Pirelli Sport Demons to my bike in stock sizes within the month. I live in an apartment, and as such don't have any of the means necessary to install tires.
I called the local dealer (Aurora Suzuki) and they quoted me $100 for both wheels if I bring the whole bike in.
Can anyone refer me to a decent shop with better rates within 50 miles of Seattle? Preferrably closer than that even, since I'd hate to have to ride home too far in our famously wet weather on waxy rubber.
Thanks!
Update: Seattle Cycle Center (also on Aurora) is quoting me $40 for the rear and $30 for the front for installation.
Still looking for better rates...
Just curious - did you compare the various "on bike" rates with the "off bike" rates? What kind of difference is there? I'll bet it would nearly pay for a 1/2" ratchet and the sockets you need to remove the brake caliper (12mm) and the axles (10mm & 17mm for the front, 22mm for the rear).
Neither wheel is very hard to "drop". The trickiest parts are:
* Keeping track of which parts go onto the axles in which order (thread them all onto the axle in the correct order for safekeeping until you get the wheel back)
* Keeping the front forks off the ground (put a 2x4 under them?) and
* Getting the rear wheel back on by yourself (sit on the ground behind the bike, position the wheel, lift it with your feet and jockey it around while you push the axle in from the side).[/list:u]I had noone to show or help ME the first time around, but I was able to do it. It's not that hard to do, and once you've done it you'll feel like you're on top o' the world!
Yeah, I originally considered taking the wheels off, because the price difference is pretty big. However, I don't have any place to do it, because I rent. I have a tiny little 1/3 parking spot, but not really much to work in.
If nobody else can refer me to a decent shop in Seattle, perhaps I'll try to find someone with a garage I can borrow.