Tyre Changer & Balancer - Opinions please Org

[Runako]

Looking to invest in changing tyres myself. I'll do at least 2 changes this summer (fr & rear). Normally costs circa £30-40 for 2 loose wheels.

So there's this - http://bit.ly/11d2mKN & http://bit.ly/YZElsv.

Altogether about £80, looks small enough to keep in the shed. My questions are:

1. Good price or no?
2. Some say Michelin tyres don't often need balancing, so do I need both?
3. Are tyre changes difficult? Would this sort of thing be relatively easy to use? (for anyone who does their own tyre changes);
4. How easy or difficult is the balancer to use?
5. Am I likely to get value for money?
6. Is there some reason I should leave it to the professional?

Really, I'm aiming to learn how to do all these things so why not tyre changes, right? So thoughts on the products and my questions please.

[Wideboy]

prying the tyre off the rim is by far the most difficult bit, i underestimated how difficult it was when i started building my tyre changing devices and had to redo it all, i bought one of these to make it much simpler

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/manual-tyre-machine-changer-bar-alloy-wheels-car-bike-/171022727647?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27d1bfb9df

[DJ123]

Looking to invest in changing tyres myself. I'll do at least 2 changes this summer (fr & rear). Normally costs circa £30-40 for 2 loose wheels.

So there's this - http://bit.ly/11d2mKN & http://bit.ly/YZElsv.

Altogether about £80, looks small enough to keep in the shed. My questions are:

1. Good price or no?
2. Some say Michelin tyres don't often need balancing, so do I need both?
3. Are tyre changes difficult? Would this sort of thing be relatively easy to use? (for anyone who does their own tyre changes);
4. How easy or difficult is the balancer to use?
5. Am I likely to get value for money?
6. Is there some reason I should leave it to the professional?

Really, I'm aiming to learn how to do all these things so why not tyre changes, right? So thoughts on the products and my questions please.

£30-£40 to fit tyres to a loose rim?!?! That's twice what it should be!!! £20 is the going rate aound here, that's for both

[Runako]

prying the tyre off the rim is by far the most difficult bit, i underestimated how difficult it was when i started building my tyre changing devices and had to redo it all, i bought one of these to make it much simpler ...

Ok thanks for the reply. Really looking for opinions on this product. Or are you saying an additional tool would be needed?

The product is described as "Tyre Changer & Bead Breaker" so didn't anticipate needing any other tool. Anyone with experience of using something like this? Any thoughts on this product in relation to my questions?

Thanks

[Wideboy]

£30-£40 to fit tyres to a loose rim?!?! That's twice what it should be!!! £20 is the going rate aound here, that's for both
It depends. Most tyre shops won't fit them because apparently they can't guaranty they'd be safe.. Really they just want you to buy tyre's from them, then garages will charge you stupid money

[Runako]

£30-£40 to fit tyres to a loose rim?!?! That's twice what it should be!!! £20 is the going rate aound here, that's for both

I can get it done for £20 a pair unbalanced but have to take it somewhere. I don't own a car so when you work out the math its costs just as much if not more than £35 for a pair (best I've had) which includes balancing and is done on my doorstep by a mobile tyre guy.

[Wideboy]

Ok thanks for the reply. Really looking for opinions on this product. Or are you saying an additional tool would be needed?

The product is described as "Tyre Changer & Bead Breaker" so didn't anticipate needing any other tool. Anyone with experience of using something like this? Any thoughts on this product in relation to my questions?

Thanks
its a bead breaker nothing more, you won't be able to get the tyre off the rim with it, just break the bead to get you choice of removal tool in behind the tyre

[Runako]

its a bead breaker nothing more, you won't be able to get the tyre off the rim with it, just break the bead to get you choice of removal tool in behind the tyre

Ok, that's helpful. But then, why is it described as a Tyre Changer and Bead Breaker?

[Wideboy]

so that when you search for "tyre changer" that comes up ;) same as when people sell R1's they put "not GSXR FIREBLADE" ect ect

[Runako]

so that when you search for "tyre changer" that comes up ;) same as when people sell R1's they put "not GSXR FIREBLADE" ect ect

I like the humorous comment, but it doesn't really answer this question.

When it comes to the description of the stuff I'm buying, I will roast anyone who sells me something that doesn't do what it says. Unless I'm misunderstanding the description I don't see why it would be described as a "Tyre Changer & Bead Breaker" if the product doesn't do both or provide the means to do both.

Based on the description I fully expect it to do both, my concern is for my own ability to use it properly or the difficulty of changing the tyres using it.

If there is a specific reason why you don't think this product will do the job by all means please say. Have you seen one of these before? (I've now emailed the seller to clarify).

Back to my original post, I'm considering purchasing these particular products so does anyone have a view on them.

Thanks

[Wideboy]

this is all that it does, unless the bloke is selling other things with the bead breaker that alone won't change a tyre

ryf-vwKntZw

[The Idle Biker]

Not quite the answer to your questions but do watch this by a bloke I know and see if you still want to invest.

iZrIRNS83YE

[Spank86]

WtOUa2jNYvw

[Runako]

this is all that it does, unless the bloke is selling other things with the bead breaker that alone won't change a tyre

ryf-vwKntZw

I see. Many thanks as I wasn't able to find a vid. Lets see what they come back with as I will roast them if they don't provide a tool or the means to remove the tyre. Cheers Wideboy.

[Wideboy]

Youtube is full of loads of useful vids on tyre changing

[Runako]

Youtube is full of loads of useful vids on tyre changing

No, I meant a vid of this tool.

Guys thanks for the vids but I've seen this and the like (except for that awesome Guerilla style vid TIB!)

Most of these involve tools I don't have. I don't possess a tyre iron or pneumatic air supply. So I was hoping this kit would allow me to change the tyre and balance (except for the air, I would have had to think of something to get tyre re-inflated).

I don't have the space or tools to set up a vice or home made unit. And I don't have a tool that can be used as a breaker (without destroying the rim).

So I take it the consensus is that this product on its own won't do the job?

Thanks for the replies.

[stuR]

Your mate makes it look well easy idle biker! Years of practice??

[Bibio]

don't expect change out of £150 for the right gear to change tyres.

as for balancing i use dynabeads and have had no problems what so ever.

[Runako]

don't expect change out of £150 for the right gear to change tyres.

as for balancing i use dynabeads and have had no problems what so ever.

Yeah, I've heard of Dynabeads before. How do you know how much to put in?

Ok, after asking the seller to clarify if the products and components provided will allow me to change the tyre without purchasing additional tools (in the event that the kit came with a tyre lever for example) and getting this response:

" ...sorry, we do not proffer technical advice , we are importers and retailers, if you have doubts about your requirements we would not recommend an on line purchase. we have sold hundreds of this item with excellent feedback."

... I think that's the end of my journey with this idea. Thanks for the comments.

[Spank86]

Guys thanks for the vids but I've seen this and the like (except for that awesome Guerilla style vid TIB!)

Most of these involve tools I don't have. I don't possess a tyre iron or pneumatic air supply. So I was hoping this kit would allow me to change the tyre and balance (except for the air, I would have had to think of something to get tyre re-inflated).
That was kinda the point of the Vids.

There aren't ANY vids (that I could find) of someone changing a tyre using purely the bead breaker and their bare hands.

[Runako]

That was kinda the point of the Vids.

There aren't ANY vids (that I could find) of someone changing a tyre using purely the bead breaker and their bare hands.

Thanks Spank but I wasn't looking for tyre changing options per se, and wanted the thread to stay on point with the oringal post. I understand why the vids were posted but I just wanted some opinions on what now looks to be just a bead breaker.

Cheers

[Dicky Ticker]

That is only a bead breaker---NOT a tyre changer due to the fact that it is not designed to rotate to remove the bead from the rim-don't waste your money.
As for the balancer,a rod between two axle stands does exactly the same thing.

I can ride in have the tyres changed and the breakdown on the invoice states £20 per wheel----New valves[not just valve cores] balance and disposal of old carcase,so the price you are being charged is excessive.Ride to a different tyre fitter and pay the right price.
Michelin tyres are the same as any other brand and do need balancing on a rim. Even naked rims do not always have a true balance so that is why they are done with the tyre fitted,compensating for both.

[Runako]

That is only a bead breaker---NOT a tyre changer due to the fact that it is not designed to rotate to remove the bead from the rim-don't waste your money.
As for the balancer,a rod between two axle stands does exactly the same thing.

I can ride in have the tyres changed and the breakdown on the invoice states £20 per wheel----New valves[not just valve cores] balance and disposal of old carcase,so the price you are being charged is excessive.Ride to a different tyre fitter and pay the right price.
Michelin tyres are the same as any other brand and do need balancing on a rim. Even naked rims do not always have a true balance so that is why they are done with the tyre fitted,compensating for both.

DT, I already came to this conclusion (see posts above).

Again, not looking for options on tyre changers as I've explored them all. To say "ride somewhere to get a better price" is like saying goods are cheaper in China. Its obvious but not practical advice because I don't live in the same place as you. For example, for me to ride more then 20 miles out of Cardiff to get that sort of price would cost me the same in travel.

The best price I've had is £35 for a pair of wheels done at my home, including balancing/disposal etc. But the mobile fitter I use to use went out of business. The nearest 4 garages to me that do motorcycle tyres do ride-in-ride-out for more than this.

The cheapest tyre changer I've found is £10 per loose wheel but this does not include balancing.

But I've looked at all these options and I don't have a problem paying for a good job. The point of my post was I wanted the convenience of doing it myself and, as a bonus, to save a few quid in the process. So opinions were sought on the product, not tyre changing options in general.

I won't be buying the product due to the lack of clarification from the seller and the really helpful video that WK found showing the product in use (which I was unable to find on Youtube, prompting me to post this thread).

Again, thanks for all the comments. We can let the thread die a death now ...

[stuR]

Considering your circumstances i would used the £10 per tyre fitter and buy the dyna beads to put in yourself. The beads look like they would come to around £15 or so and providing you can save them when you get the tyres changed you would save money on the garage fitting.

[Runako]

Considering your circumstances i would used the £10 per tyre fitter and buy the dyna beads to put in yourself. The beads look like they would come to around £15 or so and providing you can save them when you get the tyres changed you would save money on the garage fitting.

I can't believe people have seemingly missed the point of this thread.

I'm not looking for tyre fitting options! Only opinions on the product, which have now been given.

As earlier mentioned, more research needed by me on Dynabeads before using them so not an option at the moment. £10 per loose still means me getting them there. Obviously if the wheel's loose then its not on the bike! And I don't have a car, so this is an last resort really.

As my questions have been answered I'm unsubscribing from my own thread (how passé? :))

[Spanner Man]

£30-£40 to fit tyres to a loose rim?!?! That's twice what it should be!!! £20 is the going rate aound here, that's for both


Who says what it should be? :D

[yorkie_chris]

If you're only doing a couple (dunno, 3 or 4 changes over a race weekend or something, a change every fortnight or so if riding on race scrubs like an *rse everywhere... definitely recommended...)


Big vice to break beads. Alternatively all you need is 2 bits of wood and a big hinge wedged under your towbar/a bracket on wall.
Slippy... washing up liquid mix
New valves are pennies, as are weights.
Levers, get 3, don't get big stupid ones big enough to change tractor tyres though.

Air... you will need a compressor, a double barrel footpump can do MOST tyres, until you get a difficult one and need more volume.

Balancing, use some axle stands.

[aesmith]

Not quite the answer to your questions but do watch this by a bloke I know and see if you still want to invest.
Is that a garden edging tool he uses at the start?

[stuR]

Looks it to me.

[lawson17]

They are very reasonably priced! But as mentioned before the 'tyre changer' is just a bead breaker...
It will allow you to put the tyre into the well of the wheel. Which then allows you to use tyre levers or similar to remove the rubber. Don't forget you will need some kind of lube aswell.