i know theres probably a few of you on here that go through tires quite often.. just wondering if you always take your bike in to have your tire changed or if you do it yourself? if so is there any special tips or tricks you can give out to help? i have 3 tires waiting to be put on my bike and would rather just do it myself, but im lacking the tire machine in my garage.. anyone?

 

DO IT YOURSELF. I only take my front to the shop where i work to chage. the rears get changed by prybars and soap and water

 

okay.. so i just need some good lube like some dawn soap and water and a couple prybars and i should be able to get it on? any other tips on that? ive done plenty of tires before but always with a machine.. just dont have the machine now and dont wanna pay someone to do what i can do at home.

 

Ask ghostie in the UK section, he's a mechanic and he's done a vid for home tyre changes, using a car

check him out

 

you can make ur own bead breaker out of a flat piece of steel, a 2x4, and 2 large bolts.

I got a tire machine now, but thats how I used to change tires. I agree about front tires to..I never liked changing them by hand, and always balanced my fronts, but never balanced the rears.

 

this is the best tool for breaking the bead. just put the tip close to the rim and jump on it untill it pops.

use heavy boots, it's easier to handle the tyre then with tennis shoes.
use lubrication. some sopy stuff or even WD-40.

The trick is to use tyre irons to remove the tyre, but to get some slack to the tyre, you need to press it in to the center of the rim, then use irons on the other side to get it over the edge.

When doing the front, remove the disks, it's easy to bend the disk when manhandling the tyre.

When placing the irons, place them to 10am , 12 and 2pm. make sure the tyre is down in the rim center at 6 o'clock and pry the irons in a row 10, 12, 2. and it's out. (stand on the tyre at 6)

 

I like the yellow handled ones at Lowe's!

 

im not too concerned with getting the tire off so much as i am putting my other one on...