NoMar vs. Coats220 m/c tire changers

[BobbyLT]

Anyone with real world experience using either the NoMar or Coats 220 tire changers?

Thanks,
Bob Lilley
Easton, PA
K1200LT
IBA SS1k & BBG1500
BMWMOA

[dasBike]

Bob:

I have a No Mar and really like it. The tire changer and tire balancer have had a lot of thought put into them with great success.

I did have a weld fail on the bead breaker bar. I reported it to No Mar and they had a new one in my hands in two days. What more can you ask for?

Having one and being a member of a local cycle club, you become quite popular. I have changed Harley, Honda, BMW and several other bike tires - all safely and with out leaving one scratch on a wheel.

Some times I will have to use a large C-clamp to assist in breaking a really stubborn tire bead. Other than that, the changer comes and functions as advertised.

Would I purchase from No Mar again? Sure!

das

[drmajor]

I had the Habor Freight version of the Coats and with a few mods, it worked pretty well. The bead breaker wasn't the strongest and I had to add a pipe onto it to get enough leverage.

The No-Mar is very well engineered, with a few exceptions.
1. I find the removal end of the lever tends to bend so much, it looks like it'll break or pull out of the lever.
2. When I use the mounting end, it wants to twist up to where only one of the "prong" are in the tire.

I still have to use tire irons, and also use their suggestion of wood blocks to hold the bead down in the wheel to make getting it off easier. I haven't tried their No-Mar tire irons yet.

The LT rear tire (020) is a bear to get off or on. Seams it was easier with the HF unit. The Coats is nice in that it has nylon protectors of the end. On the HF one, I put milk jug plastic on it to protect.

I reallly want both- the No Mar grips and the Coats lever.

PS, on the No-Mar- be sure not to get the soapy water onto the nylon rim grips. If you do, the rim will spin.

[kellenbenz]

I use a Harbor Freight changer with a Coats 220 bar. The changer itself really only serves to hold the tire still, while the bar does the work. Coats bar has replaceable plastic tips to protect the rim. I have a home made bead breaker since I don't like the Harbor Freight breaker.

I have no experience with the NoMar, but it looks like a nice product.

HTH,

Ron