DIY tyre changing
Discussion
Washing up liquid = lube
Pieces of hose pipe, slit down the long side = rim protectors
Spade = bead breaker (other options available if you're light of foot, few need cost anything)
Proper big tyre levers = proper big tyre levers. Actually pay for these. They're cheap. Get 3 to make life easy.
Wheel balancer = rod-on-bearings that sits on the paddock stand you've already got, mine was about £20, or M&P do a complete one cheapish.
Some wheel weights.
Use a car spare wheel (with tyre) to work on - this keeps the stuff in the middle of your bike wheel (discs, sprocket) off the ground.
I had about a 50/50 success rate with using my 12v tyre pump compressor to get the tyre seated on the bead; otherwise the machine at the local petrol station always managed. Never tried the zip-tie method, but looks promising.
Make triple sure you're getting the tyre on the right way around... you will NOT want to do it all again!!
In my view, the effort/hassle of doing the fitting myself is really only justified as it's a PITA getting the wheel down to a garage during working hours to have someone else do it. If it was just the money saving, I'd probably not bother. Often back on the road within 2 or 3 days with tyre ordered from t'net rather than hanging around for a week or so until I can get to a garage.
Pieces of hose pipe, slit down the long side = rim protectors
Spade = bead breaker (other options available if you're light of foot, few need cost anything)
Proper big tyre levers = proper big tyre levers. Actually pay for these. They're cheap. Get 3 to make life easy.
Wheel balancer = rod-on-bearings that sits on the paddock stand you've already got, mine was about £20, or M&P do a complete one cheapish.
Some wheel weights.
Use a car spare wheel (with tyre) to work on - this keeps the stuff in the middle of your bike wheel (discs, sprocket) off the ground.
I had about a 50/50 success rate with using my 12v tyre pump compressor to get the tyre seated on the bead; otherwise the machine at the local petrol station always managed. Never tried the zip-tie method, but looks promising.
Make triple sure you're getting the tyre on the right way around... you will NOT want to do it all again!!
In my view, the effort/hassle of doing the fitting myself is really only justified as it's a PITA getting the wheel down to a garage during working hours to have someone else do it. If it was just the money saving, I'd probably not bother. Often back on the road within 2 or 3 days with tyre ordered from t'net rather than hanging around for a week or so until I can get to a garage.
Rubin215 said:
My local tyre place is £10 to fit and balance to a loose wheel.
£10 as opposed to half an hour of wrestling with levers, skinning my knuckles, chipping my rim...
Yip, that's great. I'd do that too but there are no bike shops near me who will do it for that money as they didn't sell me the tyre and the garage who usually do mine have damaged my wheels more than once.£10 as opposed to half an hour of wrestling with levers, skinning my knuckles, chipping my rim...
Tasmin200 said:
Yip, that's great. I'd do that too but there are no bike shops near me who will do it for that money as they didn't sell me the tyre and the garage who usually do mine have damaged my wheels more than once.
Well if they're damaging your wheels, I'd highly recommend going at it with a spade, a plank of wood, some fairy liquid and cable ties. That'll work out much better. scorcher said:
Wedg1e said:
You do know that washing-up liquid often/usually contains salts that corrode aluminium...?
not sure its even possible but wouldn't it act as lube again if the wet managed to get into it whilst riding?I've had no trouble on either count over several years - about 8,000 miles a year, so a good number of tyres have been used
I do my own tyres as i don't have my own car so can't always cart my loose wheels around. I mainly do it myself so that i can have the convenience of changing them whenever i want but i also don't have any bike shops local to me that'll fit for a decent price. I think last time i checked, the closest place wanted £25 per wheel ride-in, ride-out which soon mounts up.
I got one of these bead breakers(although not needed, it makes breaking the bead absolutely effortless);
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanics-Workshop-Garag...
A couple of tyre levers, some rim protectors and tyre soap.
Once you get the hang of the technique, it's really easy to do and i can have a tyre changed in less than half an hour now.
I'm not sure if i'm allowed to link to other forums, but i wrote a little guide over on the pbmagforum under the workshop tutorials section on how i change my tyres.
I got one of these bead breakers(although not needed, it makes breaking the bead absolutely effortless);
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanics-Workshop-Garag...
A couple of tyre levers, some rim protectors and tyre soap.
Once you get the hang of the technique, it's really easy to do and i can have a tyre changed in less than half an hour now.
I'm not sure if i'm allowed to link to other forums, but i wrote a little guide over on the pbmagforum under the workshop tutorials section on how i change my tyres.
Rubin215 said:
My local tyre place is £10 to fit and balance to a loose wheel.
£10 as opposed to half an hour of wrestling with levers, skinning my knuckles, chipping my rim...
This. £10 as opposed to half an hour of wrestling with levers, skinning my knuckles, chipping my rim...
Tried changing the tyres on the dirt bike once. Took all morning and felt like I'd done a few rounds with Mike Tyson afterwards. Luckily I've got an excellent tyre place just up the road. Just ain't worth the grief
defblade said:
scorcher said:
Wedg1e said:
You do know that washing-up liquid often/usually contains salts that corrode aluminium...?
not sure its even possible but wouldn't it act as lube again if the wet managed to get into it whilst riding?I've had no trouble on either count over several years - about 8,000 miles a year, so a good number of tyres have been used
I'll get flamed for this probably but now use watered down car wash (in a fairy bottle).
Whilst I change my off road tyres, I'd rather pay a fitter a tenner as he'll balance it & sometimes a road tyre will just not get onto a rim without an air line!!
eta - to break the bead, if the wheels are narrow enough, I use the Black & Decker workmate, just wind it closed onto the tyre.
Edited by graham22 on Monday 20th July 16:15
For 275quid I don't think you can argue really. If there's nowhere near that can change tyres this is a better option than faffing around with cable ties or tyre irons. Use tyre soap and it'll be a breeze.
WRT the balancing beads, they work well BUT be careful when you take the tyre off as they can go everywhere.
WRT the balancing beads, they work well BUT be careful when you take the tyre off as they can go everywhere.
LoonR1 said:
Well if they're damaging your wheels, I'd highly recommend going at it with a spade, a plank of wood, some fairy liquid and cable ties. That'll work out much better.
You forgot a thin layer of cardboard to protect everything whilst you're swinging on it like a chimp.I watched several self proclaimed experts earlier this morning on youtube and it really didn't fill me with confidence.
One for if you're really desperate I think.
bass gt3 said:
For 275quid I don't think you can argue really. If there's nowhere near that can change tyres this is a better option than faffing around with cable ties or tyre irons. Use tyre soap and it'll be a breeze.
WRT the balancing beads, they work well BUT be careful when you take the tyre off as they can go everywhere.
Thats what I was thinking. You can get that machine for £150, so £75 split with my mate. WRT the balancing beads, they work well BUT be careful when you take the tyre off as they can go everywhere.
I've changed tyres with levers etc before and fancied something to make it easier. With a cheap pair of tyres from Tyre Leader in Germany and that's it paid for.
The whole point of getting it is to be self sufficient and not have to entrust my wheels to a 18 year old on minimum wage who really doesn't give a monkeys about the paint on my wheels.
I looked into this and decided I'd get the full abba package. I have changed tyres before without proper tools and it was not something I enjoyed. £175:
http://abbastands.co.uk/product-detail.asp?item=ty...
One of the best things (from reading reviews) is that decent tyre irons they include with the package make a big difference
Worth looking at.
http://abbastands.co.uk/product-detail.asp?item=ty...
One of the best things (from reading reviews) is that decent tyre irons they include with the package make a big difference
Worth looking at.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff