Tyre fitting in Leeds ?

[Captain Beaky]

I've got a great Ebay deal on four new tyres for my Cerb but I'll need someone to fit them.

Any suggestions of good fitters in north Leeds who would do fit only, or mobile services in the Leeds area ?

Thanks !

[telecat]

Try Universal Tyres on Dolly lane just outside the city centre. They also have a place in Swillington.

[simonspider]

I always get mine fitted on the Lambo at National tyres on Gelderd rd.

[Captain Beaky]

Well, I called a few places:

Universal didn't answer - either very busy or on holiday.
Some, including National, weren't interested in fitting unless they were also supplying the tyres.
Alba Tyres (Gelderd Road) wanted £18 per wheel plus valve and balance.
Fast Lane (Roundhay Road) initially said a fiver per wheel, but it went up to a tenner when they heard they are 18" alloys.

So, Fast Lane it will probably be - both cheapest and nearest to me. Now I just have to figure out how to fit four big tyres in a Cerbera...could be two trips.

[anonymous-user]

Alpha Tyres and Exhausts fitted mine for a fiver a wheel

www.alphatyresandexhaust.com/contact.php

>> Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 19th April 14:56

[partyboy1101]

Try Tyre Doctor on Whitehall Road. He's only a small setup but does a good job for me at abot £10 a corner.

[basil brush]

Alba have just fitted some new tyres on my Tuscan. Although they seemed to be taking care with the wheels, they have marked all four alloys in varying degrees. TVR Spiders aren't exactly well finished though.

[v15ben]

simonspider said:

I always get mine fitted on the Lambo at National tyres on Gelderd rd.

Seconded.

[Captain Beaky]

When I called National they were only interested if they supplied the tyres - I've already got them.

[Mr Whippy]

If you can afford a Lambo or a very nice Cerb, you need to invest in an automatic tyre machine

Can't beat fitting your own tyres. Then all you need to do is balance them, but if you have good wheels and good tyres and fit them well, they balance up lovely

I know there is meant to be no name and shaming, but the Universal tyre place used an air-ratchet to remove and replace my wheel bolts.
I've read it from many sources that bolts/studs should be removed with wheel brace's, and replaced in the same manner, and have the correct torque applied. Over-tightening after the metal is heated through rapid removal and fitting weakens the bolts/studs... metal fatigue I think it's called.

Just seeing anyone with an air-ratchet near wheels puts me off straight away... if they can't be arsed spending 20 seconds to un-do them with a spider or socket/wheel brace, then where else are they cutting corners with respect to safety and quality of work?

Just my 2p anyway.

Dave

[Captain Beaky]

Mr Whippy said:

If you can afford a Lambo or a very nice Cerb, you need to invest in an automatic tyre machine Can't beat fitting your own tyres. Then all you need to do is balance them, but if you have good wheels and good tyres and fit them well, they balance up lovely I know there is meant to be no name and shaming, but the Universal tyre place used an air-ratchet to remove and replace my wheel bolts. I've read it from many sources that bolts/studs should be removed with wheel brace's, and replaced in the same manner, and have the correct torque applied. Over-tightening after the metal is heated through rapid removal and fitting weakens the bolts/studs... metal fatigue I think it's called. Just seeing anyone with an air-ratchet near wheels puts me off straight away... if they can't be arsed spending 20 seconds to un-do them with a spider or socket/wheel brace, then where else are they cutting corners with respect to safety and quality of work? Just my 2p anyway. Dave

Some good points there, more than 2p worth I'd say.

I do take my wheels off from time to time to adjust the suspension but changing a tyre on a bicycle is challenging enough for me so I'll leave the Cerb to the pros ! I'll be making a few more calls next week before deciding who will get the honour of the fitting.

I'll report back when the job is done.

[Captain Beaky]

Well I've finally had the tyres fitted. I went to Alpha UK in the end, at the city end of Gelderd Road. I dropped the tyres off in the mule and went back the next day for fitting.

Big Dave (I'm not sure he was called Dave but he was definitely big) took plenty of care and the wheels were unmarked. They were happy for me to watch throughout. They did use an air rachet but had it on a lowish setting - I could undo the nuts reasonably easily with my normal wheel brace when I got home. All for £30 in less than an hour.

The web site is a bit bling for my taste but they do some interesting work. There has a hand-formed manifold pair for a V8 Cobra replica being welded when I was there.

I'll use Alpha again.



P.S Tyre Doctor doesn't seem to exist any more (number unobtainable, could spot him on Whitehall Road.

Memo to self: brand new tyres are very slippy so don't wheel spin like an idiot when pulling out of Alpha...