Changing tyres: "How to" video

[NordieBoy]

Have a crack at an MX wheel with rim lockers on it.

Real fuggin hard

I will.
But my MX bike doesn't go through tyres very fast.
The current set have been on for 3 years or so.

[vifferman]

The last tyre I changed was back in... hmmm... 1993? Gummint-issue XL125S farmbike. Of course, doing it on Gummint time, it didn't matter how long I took. All I remember are using two tyre levers and a rubber mallet, and that I had a win. Probably finished off with our usual mantra, "Yup, that'll do. Good enough for a country job."
Talc? Soapy water?
Don't remember those - chances are we just pissed on it or summat.

[Buddy L]

Just Changed my tyre on the weekend, well took it off to replace the hub and respoke the rim and out the old one back on. This was the first time that i haddent pintched the tube was so stoked.

[warewolf]

Good point raised in the first vid though - do any of you fullers ever check your spokes? Just "ringing" them with a tyre lever or something is a good idea. Pretty simple to give a 1/2 turn or so to tighten if they dont ring.

1/2 turn is too much, only go 1/8 - 1/4 at a time, go round the rim and repeat as necessary. All on the same side should sound the same. DRC make a handy spoke tool, $25 including the assorted nipple sizes, once you have one you'll use it regularly.

Another helpful item for the toolbox is the valve tool; it's a valve cap tool firmly tightened onto an appropriate sized bolt or old valve stem (pictured above, left). Not something I carry with me - nor use all the time at home, either.

Just watched them videos again and thought i would add, the three tire leavers and bead buddy look good for at home jobs, but on the road when trying to keep the weight of your tool kit down for roadside repairs you should be able to do it with only two leavers at most and forget the bead buddy (still I might get the extra leaver and bead buddy to try for home).

Keep the weight down by making combination levers. It also reduces the number of levers you have to buy. Usually I carry only 2 of these. Also the flat blade-like ends have been filed down to make them a sharper wedge; ex-factory they are too blunt-nosed. The "spoon" levers are supposed to be better.

Be creative, see the KTM tool (pictured, bottom): various sizes including the shock spring preload hook. You could weld on screwdriver blades, hex keys, sockets or whatever, cut them down so you're not carry separate handles for each tool. I've seen some real Frankentools in Aussie mags.

The talc powder is an interesting thought but once again you aren't likely to take that on the road with you.

But there's no reason why you can't take a small amount in a little baggy or whatnot. Just make sure none of your "friends" points it out to the cops if you get pulled over.

He is right on the technique thing though, if you are struggling then you need to adjust your method a bit. Think small movements especially when putting the last part of the tire on the rim.

I think using a fresh 19" fat mx tyre on a fat rim is a useful technique!!! Smaller diameter rims and narrower tyres make it harder. New, soft tyres are always easier, they harden with age.

If you get a flat, the tyre will heat up nicely if it is ridden while deflated - so fix it before it cools.

[mbazza]

Interesting vids TA, thanks. Makes you think! Cheers.

[mbazza]

Interesting vids TA, thanks. Makes you think! Cheers.

[cooneyr]

1/2 turn is too much, only go 1/8 - 1/4 at a time, go round the rim and repeat as necessary. All on the same side should sound the same. DRC make a handy spoke tool, $25 including the assorted nipple sizes, once you have one you'll use it regularly.

I just tighten till similar tension as other spokes, got for a ride then check the run out. I've got a very little crescent that works fine. I've played with treadly rims enough (did 4000kms commuting for about 3 years on the same bike) so have a feel for these things now. Not something that you can just say 1/8 or 1/2 turn really (opps I did that earlier ).

cut them down so you're not carry separate handles for each tool. I've seen some real Frankentools in Aussie mags.

Hmmmm - wheres that welder

Cheers R