Did it myself

[jkersh1]

Well half way anyway so far. In preparation for a ride to all 48 states I decided to fit new tires and mount them myself using a Harbor Freight changer and a NoMar bar. I started on the rear to avoid the disc rotors on the first try, and finished demounting, balancing the rim, mounting, and balancing the complete wheel in a little over 2 hours. I work slow, get distracted easily, and that 880 has a really stiff sidewall. I only threatened to get out the crowbar and beat the #$@%& once. I'll do the front tomorrow.

One benefit of doing it slow and thorough is the rear has always taken about 50 grams of weight to balance, but when I balanced the bare rim I found the heavy spot is about 180 degrees away from the valve stem. With the new tire mounted it only took 17 grams to balance.

[mneblett]

Well half way anyway so far. In preparation for a ride to all 48 states I decided to fit new tires and mount them myself using a Harbor Freight changer and a NoMar bar. I started on the rear to avoid the disc rotors on the first try, and finished demounting, balancing the rim, mounting, and balancing the complete wheel in a little over 2 hours. I work slow, get distracted easily, and that 880 has a really stiff sidewall. I only threatened to get out the crowbar and beat the #$@%& once. I'll do the front tomorrow.

One benefit of doing it slow and thorough is the rear has always taken about 50 grams of weight to balance, but when I balanced the bare rim I found the heavy spot is about 180 degrees away from the valve stem. With the new tire mounted it only took 17 grams to balance.Go get 'em! You didn't mention it, so pardon this if you're already doing: the #1 most important thing to ease the frustration is lubrication at the bead -- makes a world of difference.

[cfell]

Yup. put 4 tires on mind and a friend's bike this weekend. I mounted the HF changer to a couple 6x6's.. fairly solid... didn't want to screw it to my concrete floor. The two of us had a time working the HF lever tho.. even with preparation and HPDE over the working ends I still damaged the paint... Yes, I'm upset..... I heard there are some folks making better install levers.... saw the links here.. so far no reply on my request of availability.

Yup.. gotta lube it..

[messenger13]

This summer some time, I am going to be buying my own tire-changing equipment because it's getting just too danged expensive to pay the shop to do it. Never mind the inconvenience.

Having said that...I was thinking that if I started doing my own mounting and balancing, it might be a good time to start using Ride-On TPS (http://www.ride-on.com/prod_mot.asp) in my tires. DaveDragon swears by the stuff. And not only does it protect against punctures, but it also helps balance the tires. That way, if I'm off just a tad, the Ride-On goop will make certain that I get a good balance.

Make sense? Any comments?

[cfell]

Hi, Joe! my friend's bike had the Rie-On goop in it.. not real messy.. easy cleanup.. just "balance" BEFORE you put the Ride-On in it.. =)

[jkersh1]

Yup. put 4 tires on mind and a friend's bike this weekend. I mounted the HF changer to a couple 6x6's.. fairly solid... didn't want to screw it to my concrete floor. The two of us had a time working the HF lever tho.. even with preparation and HPDE over the working ends I still damaged the paint... Yes, I'm upset..... I heard there are some folks making better install levers.... saw the links here.. so far no reply on my request of availability.

Yup.. gotta lube it..

Thanks Mark and Channing, in retrospect I was probably too stingy with the lube. Ya lives and ya learns. You can bet there'll be lube flying when I do the front.

Channing, check out the NoMar mount/demount bar http://www.nomartirechanger.com/?gclid=CKefx4ifkYUCFR0SSQodyU7Y0A even with all my *efforts* the rim came out unscathed. It works so good I didn't need (or use anyway) a tire spoon or iron. I too didn't want to anchor the changer to the floor and used 2x3's, but that let the whole apparatus move when the tire going got tough.

[cfell]

I sure will.. thanks!

[mneblett]

I too didn't want to anchor the changer to the floor and used 2x3's, but that let the whole apparatus move when the tire going got tough.For those with Handy lifts: I bolt my HF changer to my lift, with quick-removable bolts w/wing nuts. I found 2(3?) bolt holes lined up with the HF base, and only had to drill one other hole. Just check under the platform for clearance before drilling :)

[graydude]

Where is the guy who made those tire changing bars? I think he was selling for about $100 or so. I can't find him in a search. I'm going with the harbor frieght unit but heard his bar is the best. Any ideas?

[mneblett]

Where is the guy who made those tire changing bars? I think he was selling for about $100 or so. I can't find him in a search. I'm going with the harbor frieght unit but heard his bar is the best. Any ideas?See the No-Mar link above -- that's what I'm about to use with my HF unit. The only thing the HF bar is good for (besides rim scratching!) is as a lever for the beam breaker.

[jkersh1]

For those with Handy lifts

Another reason to get a lift ;)

I think you'll be pleased with the NoMar product, about $90.