Which Manual Tire Changer Do You Use?

[Thrud]

Fellow riders,

I'm trying out the Darkside and I just bought online a Yokohama AVID ENVigor 205/60/16 car tire.  Can't wait to try it out!  Anyone else using this tire?

I've been checking out the YouTube videos and pricing for various manual tire changers and the use seems pretty straightforward and the prices reasonable.  Can you recommend a particular changer that will handle rims up to 16.5"?

Here's a couple of particular interest, but I'm need to insure the wheel will fit onto the changer.

Northern Tool
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_18863_18863

Tractor Supply
http://www.tractorsupply.com/larin-manual-tire-changer-1000142

Thanks,
Steve (Flat6)

[MrKris]

I have the one like in the Tractor Supply link, but it has a motorcycle tire changer attachment.  It was the "Harbor Freight" tire changer, before they stopped selling them.  But, the last coupon flyer I got had the car changer part for sale again, I think around $40.  Mine looks like this one http://www.whitebikertrash.com/tech.htm

Edit:  If you look close, they look to be almost the same thing.  The Northern one has the bead breaker folded up against the top part.

Here you go: http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-tire-changer-69686.html 

I added Mojo blocks http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoblocks.htm and use a No-Scuff-Tire-Tool http://www.no-scufftiretool.com/ . Both are worth the money to save your rims.  The bar that comes with it and the regular clamps will make short work of a nice rim.  Use a ratchet strap around one of the wheel spokes, tying it to one of the changer arms to hold it from spinning.  Otherwise, you'll be doing the hokey-pokey around and around the changer all day trying to get the bead on the rim.

[saddlesore]

This may be a little late but if you look at the photo of the changer from Northern, the base is very small.
I use the one from Harbor Freight and the base is larger.  The changer has to be mounted very solid or you'll have trouble.  I used lag bolt anchors.

[Disco]

Find a buddy and get one of these.  Valkpilot and I split one a couple of months ago.  Works great and comes with everything you need.  We decided it was the best combination of kit & time saving.  In other words, by the time you cobble everything together going several different directions to get a base, MC attachment, tools, accessories, etc, what you've saved in money you've spent in time.

Cycle Hill Tire Changer by NoMar

[Magellon]

I've been using that tire for about 1000 miles, first attempt at "The Darkside". Tire has been great, no problems. Had to do the nut modifications for clearance but was not a problem with all the VRCC info. Took only a few miles before I was use to the car tire when riding but now it feels completely normal. Dont have a tire changer. Mounted it at the dealership I work for. Used Dyna beads for balance.

[olddog1946]

I have a NoMar tire changer and love it..I've changed truck, car and bike tires with it. At 50 bucks a whack to get a tire done (for the bikes) and you bring in the wheel, it will have paid for itself within the first year and a half...I can't remember what model it is, but it was $700 on sale..

[Tim R]

I built my own based on the No Mar I even bought some of the nylon parts from them. Works great and I can change just about any tire.

[Mildew]

I bought the tractor supply one. Used it once. It's a good bead breaker. Never got the tire on with it. I take them down the road a spend $25 now. Since I'm a double dark sider, I doubt I would get my money back from a $465 one. I like the idea of the home made one.  I may go that route. If it were me and I had to buy one. It would be the no mar instead of the knuckle busting cheaps

[vanagon40]

I own the one from Northern Industrial, Item #13474.  You definitely will not be able to use it to change a motorcycle tire without an adapter.

As far as changing car tires (on automotive rims), I have used it a lot.  Mine did come with a base that was identical to the base shown on the tractor supply model.  (In fact, mine looks identical to the tractor supply model).

Maybe it was just mine, but the pin that keeps the tire from spinning is way to big to fit through any automotive tire I own.  I made some adapters so that the tire sits higher and only the very tip of the pin hits the hole for one of the wheel lugs.  At the time I bought mine (2004), Northern Tool offered two sizes and I opted for the larger one.  It appears that only one size is offered now, so maybe the pin is smaller. 

Dismounting is quick and simple.  Remounting can be a little tricky with the supplied tire tool, but patience and perseverance will usually prevail.

For motorcycle tires, I use the bead breaker on the Northern Industrial to break the bead and the first two tires simply manually wrestled the tires on and off.

Built the changer below for the last tire change and it was definitely an improvement.

Good luck.