Popular or not, balance beads work. You never have to worry about balance weights falling off or having to use gorilla tape to keep them on. The tire re-balances itself every run... You wouldn't use them in a Top Fuel car but for every day vehicles and some drag cars they are great. I have them in my slicks and the street tires for the car. It's all personal preference but they are an option to using weights that like to fall off...