Recommend tyre changing tools

[dern]

Can anyone recommend any the changing stands and/or tools please. Can’t change tyres on my knees on the drive any more. Too uncomfortable and painful. Thanks

[Tarmacsurfer]

^ what I have. Works brilliant but you need to bolt either to the floor or a pallet .
Also the tyre bar is only suitable for steel wheels. Otherwise you'll need a better bar that doesn't mark alloy rims

[mangocrazy]

The kit I use is a Sealey TC965 tyre changer (has a very good bead breaker built in):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140663801481

You will also need something along the lines of the Sealey TC963 tyre bar if you don't want to trash your ali rims. Cheaper options are available than the Sealey one.

I've had mine for over 15 years and it's paid for itself many times over.

[mangocrazy]

Hah! Beaten to the punch...

[dern]

Perfect. Thanks both of you

[wull]

I kept a single mattress for doing the tyres, easy on the knees, then a duvet for a while, recently I just use the soft mats that you can buy cheap from Halfords.

[dern]

I kept a single mattress for doing the tyres, easy on the knees, then a duvet for a while, recently I just use the soft mats that you can buy cheap from Halfords.

Do you mean this type of thing?

[Tricky]

I've got something that looks very similar to this (it's blue though ) that I bought 20 or more years ago at a bike show.



It's a bit shit though IMO, and although I do all my off-road tyres on it, I'd prefer something where I wasn't groveling about at near ground level and as a result I usually chuck the road and track bike wheels down to the bloke down the road who has the usual car/bike tye garage full-monty machine.

I'm also at the point now though where I'm looking for something else, would really like a full-monty machine, but can't really justify the space they take up so am currently debating either one of the Sealey ones linked to above or a Rabaconda



https://rabaconda.com/en-gb

The bit that appeals to me about the Rabaconda is that it is effectively portable and packs up into a bag that could be taken to TDs etc, or of course left in a corner if garage space is at a premium/ you don't want something bolted to the floor

[mangocrazy]

I've got M10 hex joiners concreted into my cellar floor, so when I need to use the tyre changer I just bolt it down and crack on. When I'm done I just unbolt the tyre changer, move it out of the way and bolt some M10 grub screws into the hex joiners to stop crap falling into them.

[Bowman]

I use the olmax type at the moment, still needs a bit of effort though.
That rabaconda looks the business. Could be time for an upgrade.

[wull]

I kept a single mattress for doing the tyres, easy on the knees, then a duvet for a while, recently I just use the soft mats that you can buy cheap from Halfords.

Do you mean this type of thing?

That’s the stuff

[dern]

That rabaconda looks really good and the way it folds away means it might be the ticket. Not cheap but given that I’m starting to get arthritis in my fingers from working on cars and bikes and they’re pretty uncomfortable this morning it might be the way to be able to carry on doing this job myself.

Looking at the demo videos it became quickly apparent that a lot of the effort yesterday was due to the fact the the old and new tyres were stone cold.

[mangocrazy]

Looking at the demo videos it became quickly apparent that a lot of the effort yesterday was due to the fact the the old and new tyres were stone cold.

Yeah, I always warm the wheels/tyres up by a radiator in winter or leave them in the sun in summer. Much easier to fit then.

[wull]

I stick the tyre warmers on before removing the old tyres, makes life so much easier, plus be liberal with the tyre soap, helps removing the tyres as well.

I’m due a set for the beemer, will be squeaky bum moment hoping and praying that I don’t mark the rim

[dern]

I stick the tyre warmers on before removing the old tyres, makes life so much easier, plus be liberal with the tyre soap, helps removing the tyres as well.

I’m due a set for the beemer, will be squeaky bum moment hoping and praying that I don’t mark the rim

Shit, that’s such a good idea. I have a set too. Why didn’t I think of that.

[Beancounter]

Given we've got six bikes I've been wondering about getting some tyre changing tools too and was looking at this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08ZYWYV4C/ ... _lig_dp_it

Similar principle to the Rabaconda but a lot cheaper (and looks it) which probably means it's a bit more difficult to use, if only because you still have to get down to the floor and it will be more awkward to use.

[Yorick]

Over in UK always got my tyres fitted free at trackdays.
Here I tried an enduro tyre. Bollox, they're tough. Super stiff sidewalls so they can run as low as 6 psi.

Luckily my local tyre shop fits for free

[Skub]

I can understand trackday fiends and off roaders doing their own tyre changes,but for everyday road use is it not handier to just get them done at the place you buy tyres?

[Yorick]

I can understand trackday fiends and off roaders doing their own tyre changes,but for everyday road use is it not handier to just get them done at the place you buy tyres?

Ed Zackerly

[mangocrazy]

Over in UK always got my tyres fitted free at trackdays.
Here I tried an enduro tyre. Bollox, they're tough. Super stiff sidewalls so they can run as low as 6 psi.

Luckily my local tyre shop fits for free

There is no such thing as a free lunch. You're paying for fitting one way or another.